Diwali the festival of lights is ready to shine once again in the Midlands – but this is one Diwali party with a twist.
The worlds of Indian cuisine, Diwali festivities and museum culture are set to collide in one magical celebration in the heart of Birmingham.
Dishoom Diwali Party Birmingham is set to take over Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, on Chamberlain Square on Monday November 2, 2026.
After seeing the last of the day visitors out at 5pm, the museum will slink into a party spirit when it re-opens its doors at 7pm for a 4.5 hour Diwali celebratory session.
Organisers said they are putting together their ‘ biggest and brightest Birmingham Diwali party yet’ with a glittering line-up curated by BBC Asian Network.
Hosted by BBC presenter Vallisa Chauhan, revellers will be treated to an evening of great music and luscious food.
Early bird tickets cost £30 increasing to £35 on October 11.
Tickets include a vegetarian or vegan feast and complimentary chai.
There will also be a Mehndi station where people can get henna applied to really immerse themselves in the spirit of Diwali.
Here is everything you need to know about Diwali and Dishoom’s Diwali Party Birmingham 2026
Where: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH
When: Monday November 2, 2026
Time: 7pm – 11.30pm
Tickets: Earlybird £30, rising to £35 on October 11.
Where to buy tickets: dishoom.com/store/products/diwali-birmingham-2026
What is Diwali
Diwali is one of the biggest events on the calendar observed by millions of people across the world. It is a mammoth five-day sprawling event celebrating the victory of good over evil, light over dark. It is marked by the lighting of lamps and candles to signify darkness being vanquished.
When is it Diwali in the UK
It’s a five day event starting on Friday November 6 with the main Diwali Day falling on Sunday November 8. If you wanted to go all out and enjoy the five-day long celebrations (more time to enjoy mithai and sweet treats), here’s a breakdown of what to expect on each day.
Day 1 is Friday November 6. This is known as Dhanteras which kicks off Diwali preparations. Think cleaning your house, shopping, laying the groundwork for the busy Diwali season. (Time to give your robot cleaner a work-out.)
Day 2 is Saturday November 7. Choti Diwali (‘Small Diwali’, this entails lighting diyas and making pretty rangoli designs. (If like me you don’t have an outside – I live in an apartment – you can easily get creative on a table-top like this pretty inspiration table-scape below.)
Day 3 is Sunday November 8 which is Diwali Day or Lakshmi Puja. Here expect evening prayers, luscious dishes and fireworks. (Reminder to use up leftover fireworks from Bonfire Night if there is any left.)
Day 4 is Monday November 9 known as Govardhan Puja / Padwa which celebrates community and family visits. (If temples aren’t your jam, this is your excuse to hang out with lovely family and friends.)
The final part of Diwali celebrations is Day 5 on Tuesday November 10 known as Bhai Dooj which marks the bond between sisters and brothers. (If you’re an only child, ignore this fact and dive into celebrations regardless.)
*Images are from a 2025 event, copyright Dishoom.