Diwali 2025: the Festival of Light at the Museum

In October 2025, Chiltern Open Air Museum once again welcomed visitors from across the local community to its Diwali Celebration. After the success of last year’s event, the museum was thrilled to host the Festival of Light for the second year running – and this one was even bigger, brighter, and more joyful.

Bringing Diwali to Life

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the museum was able to take the celebrations to the next level. The support covers everything from new drums for lively workshops, to colourful arts and crafts materials, lighting, sound, and promotion across the community. It’s all part of the museum’s mission to make local heritage inclusive, engaging, and fun for everyone.

A Museum with Community at Its Heart

As an independent charity, Chiltern Open Air Museum is all about celebrating the stories and traditions that make the Chilterns such a special place. The museum has been building lasting relationships through projects like Campfire Heritage Stories, supported by The Rothschild Foundation, which explores and shares the area’s diverse cultural heritage. The first Diwali celebration in 2024 grew directly from that work – and it’s now becoming a much-loved annual tradition.

A Festival of Light, Music, and Food

Diwali, known worldwide as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions of people from Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and some Buddhist communities. It’s a time to come together, celebrate the victory of light over darkness, and share hope for the year ahead.

Visitors to this year’s celebration got to join in drumming and dancing workshops, listen to captivating storytelling sessions, and take part in Diwali-themed crafts. There was also the chance to try on traditional South Asian outfits and sample mouth-watering food that filled the museum with the delicious aroma of spice and sweetness.

Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund supports projects that help people connect, grow, and create stronger futures together. They focus on empowering communities and tackling inequality — and by 2030, they’ll have shared over £4 billion across the UK to build fairer, more connected communities.

Thanks to their funding, the museum can continue to celebrate Diwali in 2026, helping more people discover the joy of this beautiful festival and the rich cultural heritage that inspires it.

Join Us Next Time

Missed the celebration this year? Don’t worry — the lights will shine again! Keep an eye on the Chiltern Open Air Museum website and social media for updates on future Diwali events and other cultural celebrations. Come along, bring your friends and family, and be part of a growing tradition that celebrates light, community, and the vibrant spirit of the Chilterns.