Diwali Around the World: How Different Countries Celebrate
Diwali is no longer just an Indian festival — it has become a global celebration. With the Indian diaspora spread across every continent, the festival of lights illuminates cities from London to Sydney, New York to Kuala Lumpur. Here is how different countries have embraced and adapted Diwali traditions.
United Kingdom
The UK is home to one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India. Leicester hosts an annual Diwali event on the famous Golden Mile (Belgrave Road) that draws tens of thousands of visitors. The street is transformed with illuminated decorations, live performances, food stalls, and a spectacular fireworks display.
In London, Diwali is celebrated at Trafalgar Square with dance performances, music, and food from across the Indian subcontinent. The event is free and attracts people from all backgrounds, making it a true multicultural celebration.
United States
Diwali has gained significant recognition in the United States over the past decade. In 2022, the White House hosted its largest-ever Diwali celebration. Major cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco hold large Diwali events and melas (festivals).
Times Square in New York City has become a popular venue for Diwali celebrations, with cultural performances and the lighting of a large ceremonial lamp. Many American schools now include Diwali in their cultural education programs, helping children of all backgrounds understand the festival.
Singapore
In Singapore, Diwali (known locally as Deepavali) is a national public holiday. Little India, the vibrant Indian cultural district, comes alive with stunning light installations, bazaars, and street performances weeks before the festival.
The Light-Up ceremony along Serangoon Road is a highlight, with elaborate LED displays and traditional decorations drawing locals and tourists alike. Singapore's multicultural society means Diwali celebrations often blend Indian traditions with local customs.
Australia
Australian cities, particularly Melbourne and Sydney, host some of the Southern Hemisphere's biggest Diwali celebrations. Federation Square in Melbourne becomes the center of festivities, with food stalls, cultural shows, and fireworks.
What makes Australian Diwali celebrations unique is the blend of Indian traditions with the Australian outdoor lifestyle. Many events are held in parks and open spaces, taking advantage of the spring weather (since October-November is spring in Australia).
Nepal
In Nepal, Diwali is known as Tihar and is a five-day festival with its own unique traditions. While it shares the lighting of diyas and worship of Lakshmi with Indian Diwali, Tihar also includes the worship of crows, dogs, and cows on successive days.
The Nepali tradition of Deusi Bhailo involves groups of people going door to door, singing traditional songs and receiving gifts — somewhat similar to caroling during Christmas.
Malaysia
Deepavali is a national holiday in Malaysia, and the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Indian Malaysian community. Brickfields (also known as Little India) in Kuala Lumpur is the hub of celebrations, with open houses where families welcome visitors of all ethnicities.
The Malaysian open house tradition during Deepavali exemplifies the country's multicultural spirit, with Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities coming together to celebrate.
The Global Thread
What is remarkable about Diwali's global spread is how the core message remains the same everywhere — the triumph of light over darkness, the importance of family and community, and the hope for prosperity and happiness. Whether you are lighting a diya in Delhi, watching fireworks in Leicester, or attending a cultural show in New York, the spirit of Diwali connects millions of people across borders and cultures.