Your Guide to Celebrate Diwali in Australia in 2024
Around 28% of the Australian population is born overseas. And as per the latest statistics available from the Department of Home Affairs, 710,380 Indian-born people were living in Australia as at 30th June 2021.
India is the second-largest source of migrants in Australia after the United Kingdom and Diwali is of the most important festival among the community.
In this guide, we are going to give you all the important information you need in order to celebrate Diwali in Australia.
Let’s get on with it.
Who celebrates Diwali?
Diwali (festival of lights) is predominately celebrated by the Hindu community in India. But other religions, including Sikhism and Jainism, also celebrate the day with their own religious variations.
The festival is also known as Deepawali, Tihar, Bandi Chhor Diwas (Sikhism) .
Why is Diwali celebrated?
For Hindus, the Diwali festival is celebrated as the Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya with his wife, Sita and brother Lakshmana after killing the devil, Ravana. Diwali festival is a symbol of victory of light over the dark, good over the evil.
For Sikhs, the day is celebrated due to the release of the Guru Hargobind Ji from prison.
For Jains, it is celebrated to commemorate the nirvana (spiritual enlightenment) of Lord Mahavira.
When is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali is usually celebrated in the month of October or November based on the Hindu Lunar Calendar.
In 2024, the Diwali festival will be celebrated on Friday, 1st November.
What happens during the Diwali festival?
During Diwali, there are numerous rituals and celebrations that take place since it is the most important festival in the Hindu and other religions.
Some of the common things that you can expect during the festival include:
- Prayer to the gods: Due to religious significance, people pray to Lord Rama, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi and others as per their religion.
- Rituals: Lighting candles, creating rangoli, cooking snacks are common rituals among the community.
- House decorations: People decorate their homes with lighting and other colourful decorations.
- Family bonding: Usually families get together to celebrate the festival and there is a sense of community and togetherness among people.
- Giving gifts: People celebrating Diwali tend to give gifts to their families and friends on the day.
- Fireworks: It is very common in India for people to light firecrackers during the nighttime.
- Donations: Diwali also emphases the importance of being kind and compassionate toward the needy people. Many people donate money and help the poor during the festival.
How is Diwali Celebrated in Australia?
In Australia, communities celebrate the Diwali festival by organising multiple events.
The local Hindu, Sikh and, Jain temples and other private organisations along with local governments organise various events during this festive season.
Please keep in mind that a lot of these events are usually held ahead of actual Diwali festival dates.
So, if you are planning to celebrate Diwali in Australia by attending these events, then it is worth checking the dates with local organisations.
All the Hindu, Sikh and Jain temples are usually open on the Diwali festival day. So people planning to visit the temples on the day are suggested to check the timings of the local temple.
Apart from that, people from the Indian community in Australia celebrating the Diwali festival do the traditional rituals and celebrations in their homes too.
List of Popular Diwali Events in Australia in 2024
Diwali Event in Sydney
- 🎉 Event: Diwali Festival 2024
- 📍 Location: Castle Hill Showground, Showground Road Castle Hill, NSW 2154
- 📅 Date: Saturday 19th October 2024.
- 🕛 Timing: 12 pm to 8 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Free
- Details here
Other Diwali Events in Sydney
✅ Diwali Celebrations at Little India Harris Park (13th October)
Diwali Event in Melbourne
- 🎉 Event: Victorian Festival of Diwali
- 📍 Location: Federation Square
- 📅 Date: Saturday 26th October 2024
- 🕛 Timing: 11 am to 10 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Free
- Details here
Other Diwali Events in Melbourne
✅ RACV Melbourne Diwali at Docklands (26th October)
Diwali Event in Brisbane
- 🎉 Event: Diwali 2024 Festival of Lights
- 📍 Location: King George Square, 87C Roma St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
- 📅 Date: Saturday, 1st November 2024
- 🕛 Timing: 11 am to 10 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Free
- Details here
Other Diwali Events in Brisbane
✅ Diwali-Indian Festival of Lights (19th October)
Diwali Event in Adelaide
- 🎉 Event: Adelaide’s Biggest Deepavali Festival -2024 by HCA
- 📍 Location: Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Rd Wayville, SA 5034
- 📅 Date: Saturday 19th October 2024
- 🕛 Timing: 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Paid (From $15 for Adults)
- Details here
Other Diwali Events in Adelaide
✅ Adelaide Diwali Mela 2024 (12th October)
Diwali Event in Perth
- 🎉 Event: Diwali Mela 2024
- 📍 Location: Burswood Park, Resort Drive, Burswood WA 6100
- 📅 Date: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October 2024
- 🕛 Timing: 3 pm to 9.30 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Free
- Details here
Other Diwali Events in Perth
✅ Diwali Mela in Perth (21st October)
Diwali Event in Gold Coast
- 🎉 Event: Diwali Festival of Lights 2024 Fireworks Celebration Pimpama
- 📍 Location: Pimpama State Secondary College, Dixon Drive Pimpama, QLD 4209
- 📅 Date: Saturday 12th October 2024
- 🕛 Timing: 5 pm to 8 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Free
- Details here
Diwali Event in Canberra
- 🎉 Event: Diwali Mela 2024 @Albert hall
- 📍 Location: 100 Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla ACT 2601
- 📅 Date: Saturday 26th October 2024
- 🕛 Timing: 11 am to 8 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Free
- Details here
Diwali Event in Hobart
- 🎉 Event: Deepavali Tasmania 2024
- 📍 Location: Princes Wharf, Castray Esplanade, Hobart TAS 7000
- 📅 Date: Friday 9th November 2024
- 🕛 Timing: TBA
- 🎟️ Entry: TBA
- Details here
Diwali Event in Darwin
- 🎉 Event: Deepavali 2024
- 📍 Location: Harmony Hall, 44, Patterson Street, Malak, 0812,
- 📅 Date: Sunday 27th October 2024
- 🕛 Timing: From 6 pm
- 🎟️ Entry: Paid (From 15)
- Details here
Please note that these are the popular events happening around these cities. We suggest you check other events in your local areas as well if you can’t make it to these events.
We are wishing you all a very Happy Diwali.
Next >> Check our article on the best places to see New Year’s Eve Firework in Australia.
