Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas 2026: how Southall, Wembley and West London will celebrate
Both festivals fall on Sunday 8 November this year. Gurdwaras and mandirs from Southall to Neasden are expected to be busy all day, and fireworks are allowed until 1am.
Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas both fall on Sunday 8 November this year. Families across West and North West London will light diyas at home, visit gurdwaras and mandirs, and gather for fireworks after dark.
The celebrations run across several days. Dhanteras, when many families buy a little gold or a new item for the home, falls on Friday 6 November, two days before the main festival.
Bandi Chhor Divas at the gurdwaras
On Bandi Chhor Divas, meaning the Day of Liberation, Sikhs remember Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort in 1619. Tradition holds that he refused to leave unless 52 imprisoned kings were freed with him.
Gurdwaras are usually lit with hundreds of candles and diyas, with kirtan, langar and fireworks after dark.
In Southall, Sri Guru Singh Sabha on Havelock Road is one of the largest gurdwaras outside India and draws big crowds every year. The same organisation's gurdwara on Park Avenue is a short walk from The Broadway. In Hounslow, Sri Guru Singh Sabha on Alice Way, off Hanworth Road, is another focal point for the evening.
Gurdwaras across West London welcome visitors of all faiths and none. Visitors are asked to cover their heads and take their shoes off inside.
Diwali at the mandirs
For Hindus, Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness and Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya. Homes fill with diyas, rangoli is drawn on doorsteps, and families perform Lakshmi puja to ask for blessings for the year ahead.
Mandirs in Neasden, Wembley and Southall are expected to be busy all day. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden marks the Hindu New Year with Annakut, a large offering of vegetarian food dishes to the deities. On Ealing Road in Wembley, the Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir sits on one of London's busiest streets at Diwali. In Southall, the Vishwa Hindu Mandir is on Lady Margaret Road.
In the days before the festival, Ealing Road is a popular place to buy outfits, and sweet shops and caterers in Southall see high demand for mithai and Diwali spreads.
Fireworks and where to watch
For a wide view of fireworks across West London, many people head to the hills at Northala Fields in Northolt. The park, which opened in 2008, has four man-made hills beside the A40 Western Avenue, and the summits give an all-round view over the area. Anyone going after dark should take care on the slopes and paths.
Under the Fireworks Regulations 2004, setting off fireworks, including sparklers, between 11pm and 7am is usually illegal. The curfew is extended on certain nights, and on Diwali the London Fire Brigade says the cut-off is 1am.
The London Fire Brigade advises people to buy fireworks only from licensed sellers and to follow the instructions on the packaging. It also advises keeping a safe distance and never going back to a firework once it has been lit. People must be 18 or over to buy fireworks.
Pet owners are reminded that many animals are frightened by the noise and flashes. Keeping pets indoors with windows and curtains closed can help, as can giving them a quiet place to hide. Neighbours may also appreciate a little consideration when setting off fireworks late in the evening.