How to celebrate Diwali in Australia

Diwali is just around the corner, bringing a kaleidoscope of colours, delicious food, and the magic of fireworks and lights.

In 2024, the five days of festivities begin on 29 October. If you’re down under and can’t make it home for the holiday, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to celebrate Diwali in Australia. You might partake in popular Diwali pastimes, attend a local event, or even send money or gifts to family or friends back home in India.

Read on to learn some of the best ways to celebrate Diwali in Australia and enjoy the festivities with family worldwide.

4 major cities with Diwali celebrations in Australia

More than 700,000 people in Australia have Indian ancestry, and immigration rates continue to rise. More people than ever are moving from India to Australia, and Victoria is the largest haven of Indian culture in the nation.

Here are some of the best celebrations for Diwali in Sydney and across Australia.

Melbourne

• Join the fun at the city’s main event, the Victorian Festival of Diwali. Federation Square will come alive with Diwali festivities on Saturday, 26 October.
• Celebrate Diwali in Australia on the water in Docklands with a Diwali Cruise Party on Saturday, 19 October.
• The Diwali Family Ball in Epping promises an evening packed with Diwali magic on Saturday, 2 November.

Sydney

• Sydney residents can join the country’s biggest Diwali celebration, the Deepavali festival at Blacktown Showgrounds on 3 October.
• Join the Council of Indian Australians for their Diwali Festival on Saturday, 19 October at the Castle Hill Showground.
• On 3 October, join HCA for their last Deepavali event of the season at Ed Square Town Centre.
• Indian Aussie residents can also celebrate Diwali at the Rouse Hill Town Centre.

Queensland

• Join in the celebrations of Diwali in Australia at Rocklea Showground for Brisbane’s Diwali Festival on Friday, 1 November.
• Aussie World is hosting its third Festival of Lights on Saturday, 12 October, organised by the Sunshine Coast Indian Association.

Adelaide

• Don’t miss one of the biggest celebrations of Diwali in Australia, the Deepavali Festival in Adelaide on Saturday, 19 October. Adelaide Showground plays host to dancing competitions, stage performances, and a mighty fireworks display. Visit the Western Union stall to grab some goodies!

Don’t forget to connect with your local community. You might find more exciting Diwali festivities planned at your local temples and in your neighbourhood. You can even organise your own celebration!

Celebrate Diwali with family and friends outside Australia

1. Get cooking

Cooking competitions can be fun Diwali activities for adults and children. Set up a video group chat and cook your favourite Diwali dishes together, like laddu, jalebi, and gulab jamun.

Need both hands? Place your phone on a tripod or someplace secure that shows you and your cooking station. Turn up the heat (pun intended) of competition by giving out prizes for the fastest cook, the best presentation, and the best cooking hacks.

Want to know how to cook these delicious Indian dishes? Why not sign up for an online cooking class with loved ones?

2. Light diyas together

Video call your friends and family as you light your diyas this year. You can also stay connected virtually as you get creative by making your own diya decorations—perfect for getting little ones involved in the Diwali celebrations.

3. A rangoli and cleaning contest

If you’re cleaning your home to encourage Lakshmi—the Hindu god of wealth and prosperity—to enter this Diwali, why not make it a family competition? If your family has children who need an extra nudge to tidy up, this is the perfect way to encourage them. You can share your spotless home with family worldwide via video chat or take before and after photos to showcase your cleaning skills. May the cleanest home win!

You can also compete to create the best rangoli to welcome Lakshmi into your home. Get creative with colours and designs to decorate your doorstep for the celebrations.

Transfer money from Australia to loved ones this Diwali

Diwali is a wonderful time for friends and family to come together. There’s nothing like celebrating with those you love most, but celebrating Diwali in Australia can make you miss faraway family members more than usual. Here are some ideas to help you stay connected to your loved ones, no matter how far apart you are:

• You might exchange traditional Diwali gifts with loved ones during the celebratory season, like Ganesh and Lakshmi coins, jewellery, dried fruits, and idols.
• Sending money to India (or anywhere else) is a fast and thoughtful way to help make your loved ones’ celebrations extra special. If you know someone who particularly honours Lakshmi at this time of year, a financial gift may be appropriate.

Western Union makes transferring money internationally simple, and convenient. Choose the best money transfer option for you, whether online, using our app, or in-person at an agent location. If your loved ones would prefer to collect their Diwali gift in cash form, you can send money to one of our more than 500,000 agent locations worldwide for collection.

We’ve been trusted for over 170 years to deliver funds to loved ones worldwide so you can transfer this Diwali with peace of mind.