Six Ways To Celebrate Diwali in Sydney This Year

Sydney is set to shimmer as Diwali, the Festival of Lights, arrives on Monday October 20, 2025. Observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, it’s a celebration of renewal and hope – the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.

Traditions vary from home to home and street to street, and may include exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes, visiting temples and setting off fireworks. This year, Sydney’s marking the occasion with events at South Asian wine bars and one-off special menus – here are six ways to celebrate across the city.

Diwali at the Powerhouse Museum

Powerhouse Castle Hill is hosting a family-friendly Diwali celebration on Saturday October 25. Free and open to all ages, the day kicks off at 11am and is packed with traditional dance performances, from kathak and bharatanatyam to bhangra.

Children can enjoy storytelling sessions, rangoli colouring activities and a papermaking diya workshop. There’ll be curator-led interactive tours of the Powerhouse collection running throughout the day and a food spread by Chatkazz from 11am till 3pm.

Free entry, RSVP encouraged.

Diwali Sundowner

With harbour views, toast Diwali at sunset on Saturday November 1 at Bell Shakespeare, within Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. The evening begins with a drink on arrival, followed by a local live band performing soulful Sufi music, a thrumming dholi performance and, later, a DJ set. Parramatta’s Chit Chaat is on food – delivering everything from chicken tikka and aloo tikki sliders to loaded butter chicken fries and an Indo-Chinese noodle station. Guests are encouraged to dress in traditional attire.

Tickets are $94.20 and include a drink on arrival and all food. Further drinks can be purchased from the bar.

Rasa House x Avani Wines Diwali Dinner

For one night only, Rose Bay’s waterfront wine bar is collaborating with Mornington Peninsula low-intervention winery Avani on a one-off Diwali menu. Head in at 6pm on Monday October 20 for an array of punchy plates (like Rajasthani chicken skewers with creamy fennel yoghurt, paneer momos, and soft-shell crab in a zingy sansho pepper sauce) cleverly paired with wines by Avani’s wife-and-husband owners Shashi and Devendra Singh.

Book quick, tickets are limited.

South Asian Delights at The Lady Hampshire

On Saturday October 18 from 5pm, Derrel’s will team up with DJ collective Pho the Girls, setting up shop next door at The Lady Hampshire. South End Delights is a one-off celebration blending music, food and community.

Organised by SYS Syster Sounds, the event is free to attend, with ticketed raffle donations going directly to Aunties, a charity supporting South Asian survivors of domestic violence. Derrel’s snacks will be on rotation, alongside art stalls, live portraiture and henna booths.

Free entry, RSVP required.

Delhi ‘O’ Delhi’s sweet boxes

Available until Monday October 20, Newtown’s swanky diner Delhi O Delhi is offering handmade Diwali sweet boxes – perfect for gifting or your own hosting needs. The line-up features motichoor ladoo – neon-orange gram flour balls slicked with ghee – flaky gujhia and badami burfi, a nutty fudge-like sweet that melts in the mouth. Can’t choose? Mix and match your own colourful assortment in a four- or six-piece set, available to order online.

Flyover Fritterie’s Diwali desserts

Flyover Fritterie, Redfern’s hot-pink vegetarian eatery, is sprinkling a little extra sweetness for Diwali this year. Until Sunday October 19, try the house-made besan ladoo soft-serve, turning the golden, roasted ghee sweet into a silky, ice-cold treat.

There are also actual besan ladoos crowned with sea salt, available by the box, plus burfi tins in two flavours – chocolate pistachio, and chana dal with almond – both sweetened with jaggery and infused with ginger. Mithai boxes and burfi tins are available for pick-up, but pre-order to secure them.

Available to dine in or pick up until Sunday October 19, unless sold out.