Be part of the celebration
Melbourne Diwali is a free community festival. More than 15,000 people came across the day in 2025, and volunteers are a big part of how a day like that happens.
Volunteer with Melbourne Diwali 2026
Help light up Melbourne Diwali
Give a few hours on the day, or help in the weeks before and after it. Bring the skills you have, learn new ones, and be part of the festival from the inside.
Saturday 31 October 2026 · Marvel Stadium Square, Docklands
Why volunteer
Your festival, from the inside
Learn something new
Tell us what you want to learn, from running a large event to marketing, hospitality or stage production, and we will try to place you where you will grow.
Get a certificate
Ask for a volunteer experience certificate recording your role and your hours. Useful for a resume, a course or your next job application.
Meet your community
Work alongside people from across Melbourne, of every background and age, and make friends you will see again next Diwali.
Where you could help
Find the role that fits you
Tell us which areas interest you and we will match volunteers to roles as the plan for the day comes together.
Welcome and information
Greet visitors, point the way and answer questions. Speaking a second language is a real help here.
Stalls and vendors
Help stallholders settle in and keep the market running smoothly through the day.
Performers and stage
Support the groups who bring the programme to life. Some of these roles need a Working with Children Clearance.
Family and kids activities
Help run the activities families come for. These roles need a Working with Children Clearance.
Guests and hosting
Welcome partners and guests and help them get the most out of the day.
Photography and video
Capture the day in photos and video, if that is your thing.
Before and after the day
Social media posts and outreach in the weeks before, set-up and pack-down, and thank-you posts after. Some of it from home.
Visitor feedback
Talk to visitors about their day, so next year's festival is even better.
About five minutes
How to sign up
One short form. It asks for your contact details and five things about you:
- 1
Your skills
Tick what you can bring. New to volunteering is an option too.
- 2
Your expertise
A few lines on your work, studies or anything you are good at.
- 3
What you want to learn
What you would like to get out of the day.
- 4
Your time
Hours on the festival day, and whether you can help before or after it.
- 5
Your certificate
Whether you would like a volunteer experience certificate.
The team reads every sign-up and will be in touch by email about roles and the volunteer briefing.
Good to know
Volunteering questions
Do I need experience?
No. There are roles for first-timers and for people with years of experience. Tell us where you are at and we will match you to something that suits.
Who can volunteer?
Anyone who will be 15 or over on Saturday 31 October 2026. If you are 15 to 17, the form asks for a parent or guardian's details and we talk to them before anything is confirmed.
Can I help without coming on the day?
Yes. In the weeks before you could write and share social media posts or help with community outreach, and after the festival you could share photos and thank-you posts or help collect feedback. On the day itself you choose how long, from up to 4 hours to the whole day.
Is it paid?
No. These are volunteer roles.
Do I need a Working with Children Clearance?
Not for every role. Roles near performers and kids activities need a current Victorian Clearance. Volunteer applications are free at service.vic.gov.au, and it is worth starting now.
What about the stage crew roles?
The ten stage-crew places that move performers through the programme have their own page and form at melbournediwali.com.au/crew. Everything else starts here.
Ready to join us?
Sign up today and bring a friend. Melbourne Diwali is made by the people who turn up for it.
Melbourne Diwali is run by SarasCare. The form explains what we do with your details. Read our privacy policy.