Giant illuminated puppets, spectacular performances, and vibrant community spirit light up two town centres!
Thousands of spectators filled the streets of Basingstoke and Reading this weekend as the region’s largest outdoor Diwali celebrations returned for their fifth successful year, transforming both town centers into dazzling displays of light, culture, and community.
Presented by Kala the Arts – a National Portfolio Organisation and the UK’s leading voice for South Asian arts – the free, family-friendly festivals featured giant 13ft illuminated puppets, professional dancers, dhol drummers, and spectacular performances that captivated audiences across both evenings.
Record Crowds and Growing Community Engagement
The celebrations, now in their fifth year, continue to grow in scale and impact. “Every year the crowd is increasing and that’s just fantastic,” said Pankhuri Verma, Project Manager for Diwali Light It Up. “Everyone was so involved and excited seeing the colours, lights and puppets.”
Local Basingstoke Councillor Arun Mummalaneni reflected on the festival’s significance: “Over the years it has become so popular that it has become an event in the Basingstoke event calendar. I’ve seen it’s been growing every year – popularity-wise, quality-wise, and professionalism-wise. I can see an improvement every year. It is part of Basingstoke fabric. When else do we get the opportunity to celebrate all together?”
Audience members were unanimous in their praise. “The creations are even more impressive than last year, ” said one attendee. “The puppetry was incredible. All of the dancing, brilliant. The kids had a great time.”
When asked to describe the event in one word, spectators and participants used terms including “shining,” “beautiful,” “celebratory,” “cultural,” “enlightening,” and “energetic”– reflecting the festival’s powerful impact on the community.
Basingstoke Celebration (Friday, 17th October)
The Basingstoke event began with a theatrical procession departing from outside Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery at 6:00pm. Hundreds of participants carrying lanterns joined giant puppets, dhol drummers, and dancers in spectacular costumes as they wound through the town center before culminating in professional performances at the Amphitheatre in Festival Place from 7:00-8:30pm. This year’s celebration included special Jane Austen-inspired performances celebrating 250 years of the iconic author – bringing together the English heritage of Jane Austen with the South Asian dance roots of Kala The Arts. This allowed participants and audiences to see how Jane’s legacy continues to shape and influence cultures across the world.
Reading Celebration (Saturday, 18th October)
Reading’s town center transformed into a river of light on Saturday, with dance performances at Town Hall Square from 4:15-5:00pm, followed by the grand parade at 5:30pm featuring the most spectacular collection of giant puppets yet, including 13-foot figures depicting goddesses and mythological characters. The parade concluded on Broad Street at 6:30pm with everyone dancing to the beats of the dhol drummers.
Bringing Communities Together Through Art
For participating artists, the event represents more than just a performance. “It’s a great way to spread the festival of Diwali to the local people and bring to the community all the different types of music, sounds, dance and puppets,” said one of the event’s puppeteers. The celebrations demonstrated how cultural festivals can push artistic barriers while remaining accessible to all. The 2025 theme, “Devi – Light and Earth,” celebrated divine feminine power and nature, with illuminated installations and giant puppets creating an immersive experience that literally lit up both towns, turning ordinary streets into extraordinary spaces of wonder and celebration.
About the Impact
The Diwali Light It Up celebrations have grown to over 4,000 spectators and participants, making them the largest outdoor Diwali celebrations in the South UK. The festivals are completely free and open to all, regardless of background, embodying the universal message of Diwali – the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and community over
isolation. Both events were funded by Arts Council England and supported by Festival Place, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Reading BID, and Reading Borough Council.
We value your feedback
Whether you attended our Diwali Light It Up Parade 2025 in Basingstoke or Reading, we would love to know what you thought.
Give feedback on the Basingstoke parade: https://bit.ly/4olrWwP
Give feedback on the Reading Parade: https://bit.ly/42HnVdP