How to celebrate Diwali in London as an international student

Shloka shares her advice on celebrating Diwali away from home, blending new and old traditions, and embracing community and connection during this festival of light.  

In North Indian Hindu mythology, Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Lord Ram. As an international student, it is the one time of year I end up homesick. Diwali is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, and for some, it also coincides with harvest and New Year celebrations.  

Drawing from my experience in the last two years, here is some inspiration on how to celebrate Diwali, embracing both familiar and fresh traditions.

Deep cleaning the house: Setting the scene and filling your home with light

Cleaning the house before Diwali is a deeply rooted tradition, meant to invite prosperity and good fortune. My housemates, some of whom were non-Indian, joined me in the “Diwali deep clean.” It was quite fun showing them why cleaning is symbolic of removing negativity and making way for fresh beginnings. 

We scrubbed, organised, and made bags of clothes to donate to create a fresh and inviting space, which brought a bit of India’s festive spirit right into our London flat.

If your dorm room allows, I believe putting a little tea light in a diya, even a plain clay one, is the best way to bring light into your room.

If your dorm room allows, I believe putting a little tea light in a diya, even a plain clay one, is the best way to bring light into your room. If you forgot to plan ahead, any candle works the same! However, if you are worried by the open flame, electric tea lights or fairy lights are a perfect alternative and bring the same sense of warmth and comfort. 

Starting with a purpose: Volunteering at a food bank

One of the main themes of Diwali is giving back to the community, so I started the celebration by volunteering at a local food bank. London has several places that support people in need, and for a few hours, I helped sort food donations. Diwali is about spreading light, and volunteering made me feel like I could carry a little bit of that light to others. It was a small but meaningful way to spend my weekend.

Classic: Bonding over food

Of course, no Diwali celebration is complete without food. I invited a group of friends- not just the South Asians- to join me for a Diwali meal. To be more budget-conscious, we decided to do a blend of home-cooked food and restaurant favourites. 

From samosas to butter chicken, and gulab jamun for dessert, the meal was a delightful mix of flavours. If you are celebrating solo, like I am this year, you can try to cook and recreate one specific recipe, the challenge will be rewarded with nostalgia. 

Connecting with family back home 

Despite how much I love my community in London, Diwali is the one time of year I get homesick. Coordinating across time zones to fit everyone into a Diwali video call is absolutely essential, so instead of rushed phone calls, you can have some quality time. I set up the call when everyone was dressed up and gathered around, which really brought the Diwali vibes alive—even through a screen. 

The call was filled with laughter, stories, and, of course, my mom’s reminders to eat well and study hard. If you're far from home, setting up a family call like this is such a special way to feel the warmth of Diwali—even miles away! Even if arranging a call is difficult, any video call throws you into the familiar chaos and frenzy of celebrations. 

Celebrating with the University’s Desi Society and attending Bonfire Night

For those of us wanting a lively Diwali party atmosphere, check out the annual Desi Society celebration to meet like-minded students. As a first-year student who had just arrived in London, the Bollywood music, Henna table, and Indian snacks transported me straight home. 

As a first-year student who had just arrived in London, the Bollywood music, Henna table, and Indian snacks transported me straight home. 

Diwali coincides closely with Bonfire Night in the UK, so I decided to celebrate both festivals together. The fireworks, though not exactly like the ones back home, instantly reminded me of evenings spent with my cousins on the roof of my house, endlessly staring at the bright colours in the sky. It was special to find a holiday here that shared that same festive energy and joy of being around friends. Check out the celebrations happening this year.

Painting Diyas with friends - or solo! 

To make the experience even more personal, I hosted a diya-painting session at home. I bought some plain clay diyas from Drummond Street (a short walk from SOAS), got some acrylic paints, and gathered a few friends for a creative evening. For many of them, it was their first time painting diyas, and they were fascinated by the intricate patterns and colours we used. 

Taking the time out to sit and creatively engage instead of thinking about our next assignments proved to be quite therapeutic. An alternative (or addition!) would be making Rangolis, typically made with coloured powder at the doorstep of your house, but this can easily be traded for paper cutouts or flowers at your dorm room door.

Embracing Diwali in a new home

Celebrating Diwali in London has been different but special in new ways. Being an international student brings unique challenges, but it also opens doors to creating new traditions and sharing our culture with friends from around the world. 

Even as I continue to miss my family, I look forward to creating a Diwali that is uniquely mine, filled with joy and light. Let this act as a reminder that home can be wherever we make it, and traditions are not just tied to places but to the people we share them with.