Diwali is a major religious festival mainly celebrated in Hinduism but is also popular within many other religions including Jainism and Sikhism, and with Manchester being such a richly multi-cultural place, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty to do when it comes to Diwali. Its name is derived from the term Deepavali which translates to ‘row of lights,’ and it annually lives up to its name in spectacular fashion. The purpose of the holiday is to symbolise the victory of light over darkness, as those celebrating welcome wealth and success into their lives.
The holiday lasts for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month (Ashvina) to the second day of the light half (Karttika) and this year, it begins on October 31. This year, the festival of lights is being celebrated all over Manchester, with events, food specials and learning opportunities to take part in, so if you want to get involved, here’s our guide to things to do to celebrate Diwali in Manchester.
1. Diwali at the Museum
Manchester Museum hosts a spectacular celebration for Diwali this year on October 30, giving the chance for people of all ages and cultures to learn about and get involved with the spirit of the festival. Celebrations start when the doors open at 4.30pm, when the museum gets the party started, with activities running through until 9pm.
You can expect: Diya clay lamp making, a mindfulness craft workshop, including tea light painting and lamp making, pop-up 3D greeting card making, Henna / Mehndi, dance performances and speeches. You can find the full schedule and which activities you need to book here.
📍Manchester Museum, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL.
2. Celebrate Diwali with a selection of South Asian titles at Vue Manchester Printworks
To mark the Festival of Light, Vue is screening a selection of South Asian titles at Vue Manchester Printworks – showcasing a total of four films. Kicking things off on Thursday (31 October) is the Tamil biopic, Amaran. In his 21st film, Kollywood star Sivakarthikeyan plays Major Mukund Varadarajran, who was martyred during action in the Qazipathri Operation of Shopian on April 25, 2014. Also arriving on Thursday is comedy Brother, starring Jayam Ravi in the lead role as a brother who struggles to adjust to his sister’s disciplined, organised, and systematic household, which is a far cry from his chaotic upbringing.
Following the massive success of their last collaboration, director Anees Bazmee and actor Kartik Aaryan return with the highly anticipated Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. This Hindi horror comedy is set to tickle your funny bones while offering some thrills come Friday (1 November). Also screening in Hindi on Friday is Singham Again which sees Valiant officer Bajirao Singham return to fight injustice for a third time. You can find tickets here.
3. Try some of the Bundobust Diwali specials
Indo-Chinese street food spot Bundobust is going all out for Diwali this year, with a menu of Desi party favourites between now and the big day. It’s a sweet and savoury bonanza, with Fafda & Jalebi, Patel family recipe Halwa with fresh-fried puris, and samosas which they’re also smashing into a deluxe samosa-chaat sharer – think Bundo Chaat dialled up to eleven. You can see the full Diwali menu and book a table here.
4. Manchester Desi Saturday Diwali Special
An elegant and upmarket DESI Saturday Night is set to get underway at the Printworks this Saturday 2 November for Diwali. All party people are welcome, both students and professionals, to enjoy top Asian DJs, and special guests will bring the best in Desi, Bhangra and Bollywood, RnB, Urban, 1Xtra vibes and Afrobeats for a huge party. You can find tickets here.
4. Dig into Dishoom
Iconic Bombay-style cafe Dishoom is getting in on the Diwali action this year with a gorgeous special for families and friends to share. The Diwali special Malai Kofta with Laccha Naan is a hearty celebration of golden-crisp paneer koftas inside a creamy-rich sauce. Made with generous quantities of malai, tomatoes and toasted cashews, with added harmony of bay leaf, cardamom and coriander seeds – mop up with one giant Laccha Naan, for many hands around the table. Book a table here.
5. Spread the joy with Diwali Basket Brigade
Diwali Basket Brigade is a community based initiative and our objective is simple – to prepare food baskets which are packed and delivered by volunteers to vulnerable and socially deprived households from all faiths and backgrounds ahead of Diwali. They work alongside multiple food banks and local charities who nominate families in need. Each basket costs £10 to prepare and will include enough food to nutritiously feed a family of four, and to date, they have successfully delivered 15,000 baskets to help families in need.
2024 marks DBB’s seventh year helping families across the UK, and they are aiming for a record number of food baskets to be distributed out. Diwali Basket Brigade really encompasses what the festival is about: the victory of good over evil. If you are able to help by donating money or time as a volunteer, you can get involved here.