Free

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. 

Never miss a moment

Sign up to our newsletter and receive all the latest news, stories and events from the National Maritime Museum.

Image
Photograph of a woman standing in front of a pink rose bush. She is wearing a blue sari draped across her left shoulder, and is standing with her hands on her hips, smiling and looking off to the left.
Image by Mathushaa Sagthida

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

Image
A group of dancers perform on the Great Map of the National Maritime Museum

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.  

Image
Two people take part in a crafting workshop

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.

Image
Colourful puppets are on a stage

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.  

Image
Coloured aquatint depicting a white temple
Mausoleum of Haidar Ali near Mysore, Karnataka. Coloured aquatint by J. Wells after A. Allan, 1794. In public domain via Wellcome Collection

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.

Image
A group of south Asian drummers perform outside the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich at dusk, with a crowd looking on

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.

Events and festivals

350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich

Celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important scientific sites in the world
Throughout 2025
See page for details
Royal Observatory
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

DEBUT at the Queen's House

A night of enchanting classical music as part of DEBUT's acclaimed 'Secret Concerts' series
Thursday 4 September 2025 | Performances at 6.45pm and 8.30pm
Adult: £30, Child: £25 (plus £3 booking fee) | Adult Member: £27, Child Member: £22 | Early-bird offer valid until Thursday 17 July 2025*
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Space and astronomy

ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 awards ceremony

Who will be crowned ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year? Join us online for a glittering night of astrophotography
Thursday 11 September 2025
Free
Online
Events and festivals

Community Day at The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre

Join us on our community day at The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Saturday 13 September 2025 | 10.30am-4pm
Free
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Events and festivals | The ocean

RNLI day at Cutty Sark

Join us on board Cutty Sark for an exciting day of lifesaving demonstrations, activities and talks in collaboration with the RNLI
Saturday 13 September 2025 | 11am - 4pm
Included with entry to the ship
Cutty Sark
Events and festivals | Maritime history

Heritage Open Days

Celebrate England's largest festival of history and culture this September at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Tuesday 16 September - Friday 19 September 2025 | Tours at 10.30am, 3.30pm and 6.30pm (see page for details)
Free
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Events and festivals

World Knot Tying Day

Join us on board Cutty Sark to celebrate knot tying - an essential skill for any sailor!
Thursday 18 September 2025 | 11am-4pm
Free with entry to the ship: £22 Adult | £11 Child
Cutty Sark
Events and festivals | Maritime history

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Enjoy 2-for-1 entry to Pirates at the National Maritime Museum and come dressed as a pirate for the chance to win some amazing treasures!
Friday 19 - Sunday 21 September 2025 | 10am-5pm
2-for-1 on all Pirates exhibition tickets | Museum admission free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

The Good Pirate

Step aboard Cutty Sark for a variety show centred around piracy, mythology and the sea – with an LGBTQ+ twist
Tuesday 23 September 2025 | 6.30pm-8pm
Adult: £7.50-£10 (pay what you can) | Member: £7 | Student: £7
Cutty Sark
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

HMS Captain: Technological Triumph to Tragedy

Discover the fate of the Victorian Navy’s most revolutionary warship in a special lecture held at the Royal Geographical Society
Tuesday 23 September 2025 l 7.30-8.30pm (doors open from 7pm)
Adult: £30 l Child: £15
Other
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

Caribbean Takeover

Join the Caribbean Social Forum as they take over the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House for another spectacular year of celebration
Saturday 27 September 2025 | 10am – 5pm
Free
In Greenwich
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

What's The Time?

Join us for a festival of energetic sounds and communal making as young artists take over the National Maritime Museum
Dates to be announced
Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

Black History Month

Celebrate the stories and perspectives of Black communities past and present this October
Throughout October 2025
See individual events for details
In Greenwich
Events and festivals | Black History Month

Life drawing with EVEWRIGHT

Take part in a unique event with the acclaimed multidisciplinary artist
Thursday 2 October 2025 | 6pm - 9pm
Adults: £5
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Maritime history

The Cutty Sark Wool Experience

Join us on board Cutty Sark for a unique evening that brings together the worlds of agriculture and creativity through film, history and live music
Thursday 9 October 2025 | 6.30pm
Non-Members: £15 | Members and students: £12
Cutty Sark
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Charlie Connelly - Attention All Shipping

Charlie Connelly's hilarious one-man show brings the legendary shipping forecast vividly to life
Friday 17 October 2025 | 7-9pm
Adult: £22 | Member: £20
Cutty Sark
Events and festivals

Diwali at the National Maritime Museum

Lantern parades, dance performances and rangoli workshops: celebrate the Festival of Lights in Greenwich
Saturday 25 October 2025 | 10am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Cutty Sark concert: Fairport Convention

Don't miss your chance to see Fairport Convention underneath the copper hull of Cutty Sark - this will be a night not to be missed!
Sunday 26 October 2025 | 7pm - 9.25pm
Adults: £40 | Members: £36
Cutty Sark
Events and festivals | Art and culture

Lunchtime Concerts at the Queen's House

Enjoy musical performances in the Queen's House given by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 
Select Wednesdays (see page for details) | 1pm-2pm
Free, drop in
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Maritime history

Sea Shanty Festival 2025

Visit Cutty Sark for a fantastic day of sea song performances and workshops in celebration of the tea clipper's 156th birthday
Saturday 22 November 2025 | 10am - 4.30pm
Free with entry to ship
Cutty Sark
Events and festivals

STEM careers event: from seas to stars

Free careers event for schools
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Free
National Maritime Museum

Visit the National Maritime Museum

Discover epic stories of exploration and endeavour that have shaped our world today

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.

National Maritime Museum

  • Guaranteed entry time
  • Access to all free galleries and activities
Free entry
Book online
BOOK NOW

Become a Member

  • Unlimited entry all year
  • Royal Observatory
  • Cutty Sark
  • Planetarium Shows
  • Special exhibitions
Direct DebitOne-off
Individual: £65Individual: £75
Family: from £75Family: from £85
JOIN TODAY