
Essential Information
Type | Events and festivals |
---|---|
Location | |
Date and Times | Saturday 25 October 2025 | 10am-5pm |
Prices | Free |
Celebrate the spirit of Diwali at 'Illuminate’ – a family-friendly festival at the National Maritime Museum.
Curated by Mehala Ford, founder of South Asian art collective COMMONGROUND&, this year’s event is themed around inner light.
Enjoy free live performances, talks, workshops and a lantern parade on this day of creativity, joy and wellbeing.
Check this page for updates about performers and activities.
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Meet our partners
For three years the National Maritime Museum has teamed up with Mehala Ford, founder of South Asian arts collective COMMONGROUND&, to curate Greenwich's Diwali celebrations.
"Diwali is a festival that celebrates new beginnings, wealth and prosperity and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is observed around the world by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains," she explains.
"Shared rituals and ceremonies, such as those that take place at Diwali, can offer us a sense of belonging," Mehala adds. "New rituals and ceremonies are emerging and old ones are being revised to include people who do not identify themselves as traditionally religious, bringing people together based on a sense of community, rather than shared religious beliefs."
Festival highlights

Dance performances
From traditional dances to group workshops, head to our redesigned Ocean Court space to take in the vibrant atmosphere.
Highlights include a Bharatanatyam performance by Hashna Siva. Known for blending traditional dance with hip-hop and contemporary styles, Hashna uses dance as a powerful language to express emotion, celebrate culture and bridge generations.
Don’t miss Eternal Taal’s dance performance and workshop too. The UK’s leading all-female Bhangra entertainment team, the group will bring the energy of Punjab to the stage with powerful Dhol beats, vibrant dance performances and unforgettable vibes.

Creative workshops
Rangoli art
Location: Learning Space
Discover the beauty and symbolism of traditional Rangoli art in this hands-on workshop, led by artist and storyteller Ekta Mody from Story Beyond Lines.
Learn about the origins and meaning behind this South Asian art form, then create your own colourful Rangoli design to mark Diwali.
Diwali lantern-making
Location: Rethink Space
Design and decorate your own lamp to illuminate our festive lantern parade at the end of the day.

Activities
Dress up for Diwali
Location: Figureheads space, Ocean Court
Step into the spirit of Diwali by trying on a vibrant selection of traditional South Asian outfits. Whether you're reconnecting with cultural traditions or dressing up for the first time, this is a joyful opportunity to explore, celebrate and snap a festive photo.
Puppet show
Location: Lecture Theatre
See the epic story Ramayana brought to life in this unique show by StoryHour UK. After the screening, come and say hello to the puppets – and discover how they were made.
Storytelling
Location: Voyagers gallery
Listen to storyteller Debbie Guneratne as she tells stories inspired by Diwali.
Henna art
Location: Seminar Room
Celebrate Diwali with intricate, hand-drawn henna art by creative collective, HuqThat. Rooted in tradition and sustainability, HuqThat honours the cultural and ecological significance of the henna plant in every design.

Talks
Warrior women
Location: TBC
Journey into the heart of the Sivaganga Kingdom in the 18th century, a once prosperous kingdom in Southern India, to uncover the stories of warrior women with Theeba Krishnamoorthy.
A Tamil multimedia artist and public health enthusiast, Theeba has a passion for storytelling – and platforming hidden voices.

Lantern parade
The day’s festivities culminate with a lantern parade through the Museum grounds, accompanied by the exhilarating beats of Eternal Taal’s Dhol drummers.
What’s On
Find more events and festivals taking place in Greenwich.

Visit the National Maritime Museum
Our partners
COMMONGROUND& offers a showcase for South Asian creatives across a broad range of disciplines. The collective allows artists and creatives of South Asian heritage to express themselves and show their work.

Choose your tickets
All events on the day are free. You are welcome to book free National Maritime tickets in advance to guarantee entry, or just turn up on the day - find out more about planning your visit here.