Diwali celebrations at Kedleston Hall

Published:: 14 October 2026

Diyas amongst colourful wreaths make up a Diwali display — Diyas lit for Diwali celebrations at Kedleston Hall | © NTI/Steve Franklin

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 2026 will be celebrated from 23 October to 15 November. Booking is not needed to attend. On 14 November, visit until 7pm for late evening opening.

Lighting up Kedleston for Diwali 2026

Diwali at Kedleston is now in its fourth year and the programme continues to grow, shaped by collaboration with local communities and inspired by the Hall’s historical ties to South Asia. Lighting up Kedleston Hall for Diwali has become a cherished tradition and this autumn, Kedleston Hall once again illuminates its historic interiors in celebration of Diwali. Visitors can expect a joyful and immersive experience throughout the Hall:

Hundreds of hand-crafted marigolds (used for festive occasions in India) adorn the rooms and diyas (clay oil lamps) light the way, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Rangoli light projections bring colourful traditional patterns to life across the floors and walls.
Historic lamps from Kedleston’s Museum collection are decorated and displayed in the Museum and Dining Room.
Drop-in craft sessions invite families to connect and create Diwali themed decorations.
A documentary showcasing the intricate process behind the marigold decorations will be screened in the Smoking Room.

Orange sholapith (indian cork) displayed in rangoli artwork — Hand-crafted sholapith (Indian cork) marigold flowers in celebration of Diwali decorating the Marble Hall at Kedleston | © NTI/Steve Franklin

Diwali Special Events

Across Kedleston's Diwali weekend celebrations, and into October half-term, discover a range of creative and engaging themed activities such as hosted storytelling sessions and drop-in crafts. All ages are welcome to join in with nature themed lantern and paper marigold making as well as ribbon wall hanging workshops.

Saturday 14 November sees an array of events taking place across the property. During the day, backdropped by the domed Saloon, expressive South Asian music, dance and performances will take place, featuring local talent from Derby and beyond.

Performers will include Soulful Sangeet, a tabla and bansuri flute duo, and Chithrinie Nirupama, a Sri Lankan Sitarist and Composer who fuses Indian classical music and Sri Lankan Folk with electronic sound effects.

Visitors also have an exciting opportunity to experience Kedleston Hall's illuminations after sun-set with late evening opening until 7pm.

Food will be available in the stableyard by Crazi Jalfrezi Catering on 14 and 15 November, who will be offering a range of aromatic curries to purchase.

There is no requirement to book tickets in advance for Diwali celebrations.

Please note, later opening only takes place on 14 November 2026.

Diwali Half-Term Celebrations

Performances and Sun-Set Opening

The Marble Hall's Rangoli

One of the most iconic pieces of the property’s decorations, colourful floor marigold rangolis, will feature throughout the house, but the largest will be installed within the Marble Hall. This showstopping centrepiece will follow the design of a honey suckle marble inlayed floor and will be delicately created by hand - taking around 12 hours to complete.

Revealing the origin story of the rangoli’s marigolds, a special film will also be on display in Kedleston’s historic Smoking Room. Within this narrative, visitors can uncover the craftsmanship of the detailed rangoli: comprising of over 3,000 exquisite sholapiths (derived from plant cores) and marigold garlands created in Bengal using traditional methods, natural materials, and skills passed through generations.

Performances and What's On

Here's your one-stop shop to what's on during Kedleston's Diwali celebrations:

23 October to 15 November: Lighting Up Diwali - the main event. From light installations, the warm colour of marigolds to flickering diya lamps adorning the Hall. See dates and opening times here.
23 October to 1 November: Diwali Half-Term Celebrations. Experience the sights of Diwali through colour, light, plus engaging craft and storytelling sessions. Learn more.
27 October: Join Indian Block Printing family drop-in sessions led by Prints of the Punjab. Guided by their expertise, create intricate artwork and experience the process of Indian Block Printing using traditionally hand-crafted wooden blocks (booking not essential).
14 November: Sun-set Opening. A spectacular day of music, sounds and light. Throughout the day, listen to performances from the fantastic Soulful Sangeet and Chithrinie Nirupama in the Saloon and experience illuminations until 7pm.

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.