Preparing for Edinburgh Diwali for the tenth year

The city centre will come alive with a riot of colour and music on 2 November when the tenth Edinburgh Diwali takes place.

The Festival of Light was launched a decade ago by the Lord Provost and the Indian diaspora in Edinburgh, and is the forerunner to the winter festivals with a parade and performances at the Ross Bandstand rounded off by a planned fireworks event.

Dishoom will serve up chai before the parade led by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland followed by a procession of more than 150 performers and community representatives along George Street.

The performances include traditional Indian dance and culture at either end of the parade, with demonstrations from Yatra Tamil, Uttarakhand, Malayali, and Telugu dance groups, University of Edinburgh’s Junoon Dance, and Edinburgh Banghra Crew. The Glencorse Pipe Band will be keeping the beat along the parade, while Edinburgh’s South American community join in with demonstrations from El Encanto and Mextli dance groups.

Following the parade, celebrations move to West Princes Street Gardens, with a fun-filled afternoon of performance planned at the Ross Bandstad in the foothills of Edinburgh Castle, alongside a menu of Indian cultural activities and cuisine provided by Mr Basrai World Cuisine, Desh restaurant, treats and henna painting from Lidl.

Throughout the afternoon, Edinburgh’s leading classical Indian dance school, Nikkan Dance Academy will tell the story of Diwali through nine different forms of dance, while Alhalya demonstrate the intricate footwork and dynamic gestures and expressive gestures of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance known for its dynamic rhythms. Celebrating more modern Indian culture, Edinburgh’s own Udaan and Bollyfeat perform some of the best contemporary Bollywood fusion.

Closing the day’s performances, the UK’s premier Bollywood Rock Band, Shoonya will headline with an electrifying performance before a fireworks finale lights up Edinburgh’s city skyline for the first time in 2025.

President Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh, said: “This year marks a special milestone for Edinburgh Diwali as we proudly celebrate 10 years with the theme that embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.

“From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light (Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years.”

The Rt Hon Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali, Cllr Robert Aldridge, said: “Diwali is observed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide and we’re proud to bring this exciting tradition to the heart of Scotland’s capital.

“Diwali is a family-friendly celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Free and open to all, it has become one of Edinburgh’s unmissable events in recent years and this year celebrates the 10th anniversary.

“With a colourful parade, live performances, and spectacular fireworks, it’s a joyful occasion that will bring community together and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the festival of lights.”

Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik, said: “Diwali is a festival that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. It reminds us of the enduring power of truth, compassion, and goodwill to illuminate our lives. The spirit of Diwali continues to inspire and bring together people across the world.

“I am delighted that Edinburgh Diwali 2025 will once again bring these timeless values to life in the heart of this beautiful city on 2nd November 2025. The vibrant performances, cultural showcases, and enthusiastic community participation reflect the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect that exist between India and Scotland.

“I warmly congratulate the team of Edinburgh Diwali and The City of Edinburgh Council for their dedicated efforts in promoting cultural understanding and tradition through this remarkable celebration over the past ten years. I look forward to joining everyone in celebrating this joyous occasion and sharing in the festive spirit of Diwali.”

Edinburgh Diwali President, Rajnish Singh, added: “We also express our sincere gratitude to our funding bodies and sponsors whose support has allowed us to keep the festival free and open to everyone. A special acknowledgement goes to City of Edinburgh Council & members of EPOG, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Consul General of India, who have supported us every year since our inception.

“On behalf of the entire Committee, I extend a big thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. We warmly invite residents and visitors of Edinburgh to join us on 2 November with your family and friends, for a spectacular afternoon filled with music, dance, food, and a breathtaking fireworks finale.”

Ahalya Dance Academy: Jiji Rajagopal Marielle Chakkery Malavika Dev Meenakshi Dev Rose Fary Vithayathi, Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik, President Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh, Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali, Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge. Nikkan Dance Academy: Mohul Chatterjee Aksshaya Venkataraman Tanwi Bhattacharya. Edinburgh Diwali 2025. Copyright © 2025 Martin McAdam

Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik, Rajnish Singh, President Edinburgh Diwali, Robert Aldridge, Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali. Edinburgh Diwali 2025. Copyright © 2025 Martin McAdam

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.

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Preparing for Edinburgh Diwali for the tenth year

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