Belgrave Road to close for Leicester Diwali celebrations on 8 November

Belgrave Road, also known as the Golden Mile, will close to traffic from 5pm to around 9.30pm on Sunday 8 November as thousands of people gather for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations.

Access to the adjoining side streets will also be blocked. Drivers heading towards the area could face congestion on surrounding roads, particularly during the evening. Parking restrictions may apply around the event area, so visitors should follow temporary signs and avoid blocking residential driveways, junctions or access routes for emergency services.

Celebrations will centre on Cossington Street Recreation Ground, where the Diwali Village returns on Diwali Day with food stalls, arts and crafts, a family funfair, music and dancing. The Wheel of Light will also feature.

Leicester City Council says the community stage programme will include a puja, a religious ceremony led by Leicester Hindu Festival Council. The Aakash Odedra Company will lead the finale, bringing together dance from Shiamak, theatre from Red Lotus and music from the Philharmonia Orchestra. An aerial performance by suspended acrobat ‘Heliosphere’ and a laser show will follow.

There will be no public fireworks display. The council says its local safety advisory group identified fireworks as its main concern for crowd congestion.

The 2025 celebrations were scaled back after safety concerns. The council says bringing activities back to the park will help reduce congestion on Belgrave Road and Melton Road.