Join Northampton’s Diwali Festival of Lights on the Market Square this Saturday
Residents and visitors are invited to join Northampton’s free Diwali Festival of Lights this Saturday, 31st October, as the town celebrates the event’s 26th anniversary with a day of cultural activities, live entertainment and a magical evening lantern parade through the town centre.
Organised by the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation (IHWO), the celebrations will take place in the Market Square from 10am to 8pm, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to experience one of the world’s most important Hindu festivals.
Visitors can explore cultural stalls, enjoy food and drink, watch live performances and take part in activities including henna painting, arts and crafts and saree dressing. Entertainment on the stage will run from midday until 5.30pm and include Bollywood dancing, Dhol drumming performances, music and singing.
The highlight of the day will be the Diwali lantern parade including local school children, community groups, a Northampton Transport Heritage red bus, a vintage Indian car, a decorated float lorry and large-scale illuminated Hindu deity puppets.
Setting off at 6pm from the junction of Dychurch Lane and The Ridings, the procession will continue along St Giles’ Terrace and St Giles’ Street, before reaching St Giles’ Square, where it will pause at St Giles’ Church and the Guildhall to receive the Diwali lights.
The parade will then continue around All Saints’ Church, with participants on foot walking in front of the church, while the large puppets and floats make their way up Wood Hill before all returning to the Market Square for the evening’s finale, with more music and dancing from 6.45pm.
Neelam Aggarwal-Singh, Chair of the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, said: "What started as a small community celebration has grown into something that brings people from across our town together, and we are incredibly proud of how the event has developed over the years.
"Diwali is about light, hope, positivity and coming together, and those are messages that we feel are particularly important right now. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Market Square for another fantastic day of celebrations and, of course, seeing the spectacular parade bring the town centre to life once again.
"There is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make this event possible, and we are grateful to all of our volunteers, partners and supporters who continue to help us make Diwali such a special occasion for Northampton."
Cllr Keith Holland-Delamere, Chair of the Community Services Committee at Northampton Town Council, said: "Diwali is a fantastic example of how Northampton's diverse communities come together to celebrate culture and tradition while inviting everyone to be part of the occasion.
"Whether you come for the food, entertainment and activities during the day or to watch the magical parade in the evening, there will be something for everyone."
The 2026 event is supported by Northampton Town Council, West Northamptonshire Council and Northampton Town Centre BID, alongside the University of Northampton, Grosvenor, Inspiration Arts, Rost Productions, Stage Right Productions, MOS, Inspiration FM 107.8, Royal & Derngate Northampton, Northampton College, Sage Homes and EMW Law, along with parade sponsor AIT Worldwide Logistics, who have provided the float lorry free of charge.
The annual festival has become an established part of Northampton’s events calendar, bringing communities together to celebrate cultural traditions and share in the spirit of Diwali.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance. Families and communities around the world mark the occasion with lights, food, cultural activities and gatherings.
For more information, please visit: https://www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/diwali