Wellingborough Festival of Lights 2026

About the Festival

After an absence of several years, the Wellingborough Festival of Lights returns in 2026 with a brand-new, expanded format. Rooted in a tradition dating back to the 1960s, when the town hosted processions, light switch-ons and fireworks, this reimagined celebration marks a new chapter.

We are lighting up the whole town! From workshops at Wellingborough Library and performances at Swansgate Shopping Centre in the daytime, to the main stage in Market Square for the evening finale, this is a celebration for everyone.

Delivered by the Wellingborough District Hindu Association (WDHA) in partnership with North Northamptonshire Council, the festival celebrates Diwali and the borough’s long-standing Hindu community heritage, while creating a shared civic experience for all.

One Community. One Celebration. One Festival of Lights.

We invite you to join us.

Festival Programme – Saturday 31 October 2026

The festival spans three amazing locations across Wellingborough town centre, giving you a full day of culture, creativity and celebration.

Festival Zones at Market Square (3:00pm – 9:00pm):

The Bazaar: A vibrant marketplace featuring food, clothing and artefact stalls. Enjoy diverse cuisines, cultural clothing, handcrafted artefacts and local business participation.

Discovery Kids: A light-touch, supervised children’s area featuring a bouncy castle, face painting and simple activities. Designed to be fun, safe and family-friendly.

The Pulse: Our main stage programme. Enjoy cultural dance performances including Bhangra and Bollywood, community groups, local school choirs, live and curated music, and the energy of our Dhol drummers, all building towards the spectacular Light Switch-On at 7:00pm.

 Pre-Festival Activities – Coming Soon!

The Festival of Lights isn’t just one day, we’re celebrating throughout October!

We are currently finalising an exciting programme of interactive workshops and activities at:

• Wellingborough Museum
• The Castle Theatre

These pre-event activities will give the community a chance to engage with the festival’s themes of culture, light and unity before the main celebration on 31 October.

Full details, dates and booking information will be announced here and on our social media channels in the coming weeks. Please check back soon!

Travel & Accessibility: The festival takes place across Wellingborough town centre. All venues are within easy walking distance of each other.

 Accessibility:

• Designated accessible viewing areas near the Market Square stage
• Accessible toilet provision on-site
• Clear signage and steward support throughout the site

Parking: Please use nearby town centre parking. Information on car parks and any temporary changes will be confirmed closer to the event.

Traffic: A structured traffic management plan will be in place to minimise disruption and maintain emergency vehicle access. Advance notice of any road closures will be shared via this website and social media.

Stay Updated

This page will be regularly updated with the latest information as we finalise:

• Full programme and performer line-up
• Pre-festival activities at Wellingborough Museum and The Castle Theatre
• Stallholder applications
• Travel and parking details
• Volunteer opportunities
• Sponsorship and partnership information

Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest news.

Get Involved

We welcome your participation in the Festival of Lights!

If you would like to find out more about the event and/or wish to participate in the celebrations, whether as a stallholder, performer, volunteer or sponsor – please get in touch.

Email: hcc@wdha.co.uk

Contact

For general enquiries, please contact the event team:

Wellingborough District Hindu Association (WDHA)

Email: hcc@wdha.co.uk

Hosted by Wellingborough District Hindu Association (WDHA) in partnership with North Northamptonshire Council and with the support of: