Thank you, Melbourne
Melbourne Diwali 2026
On Saturday 31 October 2026, over 20,000 Victorians came to Marvel Stadium Square for eight hours of dance, music, food and light. Thank you, Melbourne.
Saturday 31 October 2026 · Marvel Stadium Square, Docklands
- Victorians on the day
- 20,000+Victorians on the day
- groups
- 85groups
- dance groups in the competition
- 25dance groups in the competition
- hours, 2pm to 10pm, free entry
- 8hours, 2pm to 10pm, free entry
Saturday 31 October 2026
The day
Melbourne Diwali 2026 filled Marvel Stadium Square, Docklands, from 2pm to 10pm on Saturday 31 October. Free entry, vegetarian food, inclusive for all.
The day opened with Carnatic music from Madhuri Vasa, a blessing from the Brahma Kumaris and the lighting of the lamp. Sarah Witty MP, Federal Member for Melbourne, opened the festival, with Mr Amir Meron, Deputy Ambassador of Israel, and Bollywood actor Vishwajeet Pradhan on stage.
Our MCs, Kyra Gupta and Sudeeksha Addagudi, then brought on the dance competition: 25 groups across Juniors (12 and under), Teens (13 to 17) and Adults (18 and over), with the crowd voting for People's Choice on their phones.
In the afternoon, Two traditions, one stage brought Hindu and Jewish music together. Boaz Herszfeld, co-convenor of the Hindu-Jewish Community Leadership Forum, then welcomed the Premier of Victoria, The Hon Ben Carroll MP, who officially launched the festival. David Southwick MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, spoke for the Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson MP, and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nicholas Reece, addressed the crowd before guests and partners lit the lamp together.
Around the Square, stalls offered Diwali decor and Indian wear, henna and face painting. Fortune Foods cooked, the Richmond Football Club came to visit, and after dark the DJ kept the Square dancing until 10pm.
On the main stage
- The Hon Ben Carroll MPPremier of Victoria
- David Southwick MPDeputy Leader of the Opposition, for the Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson MP
- Nicholas ReeceLord Mayor of Melbourne
- Sarah Witty MPFederal Member for Melbourne
- Mr Amir MeronDeputy Ambassador of Israel
- Boaz HerszfeldCo-convenor, Hindu-Jewish Community Leadership Forum
- Vishwajeet PradhanActor
Melbourne Diwali is non-partisan. Elected representatives are named by the office they held on the day.
watch
Speeches
The Premier, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Lord Mayor and the addresses from the stage, with captions.
watch
Melbourne Diwali 2026 in one minute
1 minute
2pm to 10pm
Moments from the day
Blessing and lamp
Music, a blessing from the Brahma Kumaris and the lighting of the lamp. Sarah Witty MP opened the festival at 2pm.
The dance competition
Twenty-five groups danced for the judges and for People's Choice, from Juniors to Adults.
Two traditions, one stage
Flute and guitar brought Hindu and Jewish music together on the main stage.
The official launch
The Premier, The Hon Ben Carroll MP, officially launched the festival, with David Southwick MP and Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, and guests lit the lamp together.
Around the Square
Stalls, henna, face painting, vegetarian food and the Fortune Foods kitchen.
Into the night
Workshops, the Richmond Football Club and the DJ until 10pm.
photographs
Gallery
58 photographs
Use the arrows or swipe to see more. Tap a photo to open it full size.
Photographs: Paul Dontschuk, Liza Ding, Sawsana Esber, Harsha, Rukwesh, Shiva and Yamini
on the main stage
The dance competition
25 groups danced for the judges and for People’s Choice, voted by the crowd on their phones. Judged by Nithya Remesan, Neethu Yuseph and Sachin Vijayachandran.
Juniors
12 and under · Prizes presented by ANZ
Winners
- First: Na2 Entertainment
- Second: South Kuthu
- Third: Twinkling Stars
- Tiny Twinkle Crew
- Na2 Entertainment
- JJ group
- Rhythm of South
- Avain Champs
- Twinkling Stars
- Desi Dance Fusion
Teens
13 to 17 · Prizes presented by Guardian Vaults
Winners
- First: Gulaboo Girls
- Second: DK Alayam School of Classical Dance and Music
- Third: Twirl Girls (The Naach Box)
- RENS Girls
- DK Alayam
- Mitrayi Dance Divas
- Gulaboo Girls
- Twirl Girls
Adults
18 and over · Prizes presented by WorldRemit
Winners
- First: Nritya School of Indian Dances
- Second: Rhythm Dance Academy
- Third: Team Lasya
- Devi Dance Group
- Medhasvi
- Nritya School of Indian Dances
- Lasya
- Beats & Taal
- South Kuthu
- Smika Dance Academy
- Nritya Rockers
- Kalyani Rockzz
- Rhythm Dance Academy
- Saaz & Stepz
- Surili Melodies
- The Naach Box
with thanks
Thank you
Thank you to every performer, dance teacher and parent; to our judges and MCs; to the stallholders and our partners; to the volunteers, the Collarts Media Team and the crew who built the Square in the morning and packed it away at night; and to everyone who came. Melbourne Diwali is managed by SarasCare, a Melbourne charity, and it happens because of you.
Our partners
- Fortune Foods
- ANZ
- Simonds Homes
- WorldRemit
- Guardian Vaults
- Xcel Global Services
- SMH Group
- Richmond Football Club
Our community partners
Consulate General of India, Melbourne · Docklands Primary School · The District Docklands · Australian Global Health Alliance · SarasCare · Little India Traders Association · Brahma Kumaris · Bharat Ko Janiye
Happy Diwali, and see you in 2027.
stay in touch
Namaste Melbourne!
Our newsletter brings the full story of the festival, and the first news of Melbourne Diwali 2027.
Read the newsletterPhotos and press from earlier years