Diwali celebrations at Kedleston Hall
- Published:
- 05 June 2024
Over Diwali, visitors can experience Kedleston Hall transformed by music, light installations and filled with the warm colour of marigolds and flickering diya lamps.
Planning your visit
Diwali at Kedleston 2025 will be celebrated from 3 October to 2 November with Helios art sculpture on display from 17 October to 2 November.
About Diwali
Known to many as the ‘Festival of Light’ Diwali is the most celebrated festival in India and is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. The festival, which means different things to different religions and people, is celebrated over five days in late autumn (the start date changes yearly and is worked out using a calendar based on the cycles of the moon.) Many people light diyas and entrances of homes are decorated with rangolis.
Kedleston connections to India
George Nathaniel Curzon (1859–1925) of Kedleston Hall, commonly known as Lord Curzon was appointed Viceroy of India in 1899. The family moved to Calcutta (Kolkata) and lived at Government House, a palace coincidentally modelled after Kedleston, during this period. The Museum at Kedleston has many South Asian objects (owing to Lord Curzon’s travels) and there are several objects in the collection that reflect this history.
Celebrating Diwali at Kedleston
In 2024 the team of talented staff and volunteers expanded Diwali celebrations across Kedleston Hall. There were traditional decorations of hundreds of hand-crafted marigolds (used for festive occasions in India) as well as light projections of rangoli patterns (colourful traditional patterns created on the floor) throughout the Hall.
There was also live music events, traditional board games and the table in the Dining Room was set for Diwali celebrations bringing to life some of the lamps from Kedleston’s own Museum collection. This was in keeping with Diwali traditionally being a celebration where the whole family come together.
Lighting up Kedleston for Diwali 2025
Diwali at Kedleston is now in its third year. This 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to experience a unique sight in the Saloon at Kedleston Hall. In keeping with creating a joyful experience of light for Diwali celebrations, Kedleston will be displaying Helios - a new artwork of the sun by Luke Jerram (from 17 October to 2 November). This seven-metre sculpture combines solar imagery, light and sound to highlight the sun's intricate details.
Named after the sun god in ancient Greek mythology, Helios succeeds Luke's previous large-scale installations, Museum of the Moon and Gaia. Helios has been co-commissioned by National Trust, Cork Midsummer Festival, Liverpool Cathedral, Old Royal Naval College and University College London.
Visitors across all communities locally and beyond are warmly invited to join us in celebration of Diwali at Kedleston Hall. Check back here for more details on what’s on and how to plan your visit.
Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Diwali. May the light of the diyas guide you towards the path of happiness and success.
दिवाली की शुभ कामनाएँ
ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ਦੇ ਅਫਸਰ ਤੇ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈ
Helios art installation
Helios is a sun sculpture by Luke Jerram. It's touring some of the places in our care to mark the launch of our new 10-year strategy. Find out where you can visit Helios near you.