As a kid, Diwali meant helping my mom light diyas, bursting crackers with cousins, and eating endless gulab jamuns. I never imagined celebrating it anywhere else until adulthood made me curious to experience that same festive magic beyond home.
The largest Diwali celebrations outside India take place in Leicester, London, New York, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, Dubai, and Sydney, with lights, fireworks, fairs, markets, and temple rituals bringing the festival of lights alive worldwide.
Now I know you’re probably wondering what these celebrations actually look like and what makes them so special. So take a closer look below!
10 Places with the Biggest Diwali Celebrations Outside India
1. Leicester, United Kingdom
Leicester is home to Europe’s largest Diwali celebration, with Belgrave Road, the famous “Golden Mile”, transforming into a riot of lights and colors. Street lamps and homes are decorated with thousands of LED lights and diyas.
Why visit: Weeks before Diwali, the city holds a huge lights switch-on ceremony, often featuring Bollywood performers and street dancers. On the main day, the Leicester Fireworks Display at Cossington Street Recreation Ground draws crowds of over 40,000 people.
Pro tip: With so many stalls and crowds, carrying a BookMyForex forex card makes payments seamless. It works in local currency at zero markup, so buying sweets, snacks, and souvenirs is hassle-free.
2. London, United Kingdom
In London, Trafalgar Square hosts the city’s largest Diwali event, attracting thousands of locals and tourists alike. Colorful stalls sell traditional sweets like laddoos, barfis, and Indian snacks, alongside handicrafts and festive decorations.
Why visit: The event features classical dances like Bharatanatyam and Kathak, high-energy Bollywood performances, and temple aartis at nearby Neasden Temple. The evening ends with a grand fireworks display over the Thames, offering a perfect blend of culture and spectacle.
Pro tip: Public transport is the easiest way to navigate the crowds. Visit stalls early for sweets and handicrafts before they run out.
3. New York City, USA
Times Square comes alive during Diwali, transforming into a hub of lights, music, and cultural festivities. The city hosts workshops, food festivals, and performances that bring the vibrant energy of India to the heart of NYC.
Why visit: Local temples in Queens organize Diwali melas, including diya lighting ceremonies and traditional prayers. Classical sitar and tabla performances, alongside energetic dance troupes, create a unique fusion of Indian culture and New York’s skyline fireworks.
Pro tip: Attend early to catch interactive workshops and cultural performances. Many restaurants run Diwali-themed menus with dishes like paneer tikka, samosas, and biryani. Don’t miss it!
4. Singapore
Singapore’s Little India is unmissable during Diwali. Serangoon Road is decked with massive illuminated arches shaped like peacocks and lotus flowers, with streets lined by fairy lights and vibrant rangoli designs. The Diwali Bazaar in Singapore comes alive with colorful stalls and festive decorations.
Why visit: The Diwali Bazaar offers everything from sarees and gold jewelry to traditional sweets like murukku, laddu, and jalebi. Temples such as Sri Veeramakaliamman host prayers, while outdoor stages feature Garba and Bollywood performances, creating an immersive cultural experience.
Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the bazaar and remember to remove them before entering temples. Most shops and stalls accept forex cards, but small donations at temples would require cash.
5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In Kuala Lumpur, Brickfields (Little India) becomes the heart of Diwali celebrations. Streets are decorated with lights, and elaborate rangoli designs adorn shop entrances. Local families often welcome visitors for traditional feasts featuring sweets, murukku, and curries.
Why visit: The Sri Mahamariamman Temple here hosts daily prayers, while Batu Caves comes alive with grand cultural events, including Indian classical music concerts and dance performances. Evening fireworks illuminate the limestone cliffs, adding a magical touch to the celebrations.
Pro tip: Brickfields markets and Batu Caves often accept card payments. A forex card from BookMyForex can safely cover shopping, food, etc, making transactions smooth while enjoying the festivities.
6. Mauritius
Mauritius celebrates Diwali with a mix of Indian tradition and island charm. Homes are decorated with diyas and lanterns, and streets are lit up with colorful lights. Fireworks are common in the evening, and community celebrations often include music, dance, and storytelling.
Why visit: Walking through towns in Mauritius during Diwali feels like stepping into India, but with the soothing backdrop of the sea and tropical breezes. Families gather for puja and feasts, serving traditional sweets like gulab jamun, ladoo, and barfi alongside Mauritian fusion treats.
Pro tip: Expect tropical weather, so light, breathable clothing is recommended. Carrying a mix of cash and a forex card is ideal, as street markets and small vendors may prefer cash, while restaurants and larger stores usually accept card payments.
7. Fiji
Fiji marks Diwali as a public holiday, with Indo-Fijian communities celebrating across the islands. Homes glow with diyas, and schools organize Diwali-themed programs where children perform dances, skits, and musical performances.
Why visit: Temples form the heart of the celebrations, with aartis and prayers at local mandirs. Community events include traditional feasts with sweets like barfi and laddu, and fireworks illuminate the Pacific sky, welcoming everyone to join in the inclusive festivities.
Pro tip: Many events take place in school halls or community centers where cash payments may be preferred for local food stalls or small purchases. Carrying a small amount of cash alongside a forex card ensures smooth transactions.
8. Trinidad
The Divali Nagar in Trinidad is a vibrant week-long cultural festival that celebrates Caribbean Indian heritage. The festival grounds come alive with traditional dances, Indian theatre, and steelpan renditions of Bollywood classics, blending Indian roots with Caribbean rhythm.
Why visit: The evenings are magical as thousands of diyas illuminate the grounds, while food stalls serve up Indian snacks, sweets, and curries. Local artisans showcase handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and textiles, offering a beautiful mix of culture and craftsmanship.
Pro tip: Divali Nagar can get crowded, so arriving early helps you catch performances comfortably. Many food and craft stalls now accept card payments, so carrying a forex card ensures smooth, cash-free transactions throughout the festival.
9. Dubai, UAE
Dubai’s Diwali blends luxury with tradition. Indian temples host evening prayers and aartis, while malls and marketplaces like Dubai Festival City offer elaborate festive decorations, Diwali-themed shows, and food promotions.
Why visit: Fireworks light up the night sky often near iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah, turning the city into a glittering celebration of light. Visitors can enjoy both traditional rituals and the modern extravagance of Dubai, making it a must-visit place for Diwali celebrations.
Pro tip: Diwali is celebrated in malls and community centers. Large fireworks are often visible from popular landmarks, so choose vantage points in advance.
10. Sydney, Australia
Sydney’s Diwali Fair at Parramatta Park is one of the city’s most anticipated cultural festivals, drawing thousands each year. The event comes alive with live music, traditional Indian dances, colorful stalls serving South Asian cuisines, and exhibitions featuring handcrafted art and jewelry.
Why visit: Even the Sydney Opera House occasionally glows in gold and orange hues to mark the festival of lights. Local temples organize prayers, diya-lighting ceremonies, and storytelling sessions that beautifully blend devotion with community spirit.
Pro tip: Use public transport to avoid parking hassles around Parramatta Park. While major stalls and eateries accept forex cards, temple donations and small fair purchases are often cash-only.
The Best Forex Card for Festive Travel Abroad
If you’re planning to celebrate Diwali abroad, choosing the right forex card can make your trip a lot smoother. BookMyForex Forex Card offers live, interbank exchange rates with zero markup, so you don’t lose out on hidden conversion costs.
Whether it’s souvenirs from Singapore’s Little India or sweets from a Leicester market stall, every swipe on your card deducts in the local currency and at the exact rate you locked in while loading it.
Reloading is seamless, too. If you’re running low while abroad, you can instantly reload your card online, and the balance reflects almost immediately. No phone calls, no paperwork, just smooth, real-time access to your travel funds.
The card is accepted in 150+ countries, and lets you manage everything from your phone through the BookMyForex app.
You get transparency, flexibility, and peace of mind, everything you need to focus on what really matters: enjoying the lights, music, and joy of Diwali, no matter where in the world you are.
About the Author
Bhawna Nijhawan is the Content Manager at BookMyForex and the go-to person for creating engaging, informative content that resonates with the platform’s diverse audience. With over 8 years of experience in content writing and more than 4 years in the forex industry, she knows exactly how to simplify complex forex topics into something everyone can relate to.
