Melbourne Diwali
A long-running community festival held in Melbourne’s Docklands.
25,000+
Expected attendance, as publicly promoted (2025)
26+
Years running
Community-organised
Independently funded through sponsorship, fundraising and volunteer support
The story of Melbourne Diwali
Melbourne Diwali was founded by Gautam Gupta and a group of community organisers. Over 26+ years it has grown from a community gathering into a major annual celebration; Melbourne Diwali 2025, held at Marvel Stadium Square on 11 October 2025, was publicly promoted as expecting more than 25,000 attendees. LITA, founded in 2025, is a separate organisation to Melbourne Diwali. LITA supports the festival as a source of business networks, collaboration and activation experience.
The festival is community-organised and independently funded through volunteer labour, private sponsorship and community fundraising, without dedicated City of Melbourne festival funding to date.
“We built this festival on volunteer labour, community fundraising and borrowed hope. What we’re asking for now is a funding partnership that reflects what this festival means to the city.”
Gautam Gupta, co-founder, Melbourne Diwali
The festival’s ongoing priorities
Melbourne Diwali’s organisers continue to pursue a number of priorities for the festival. LITA supports these as part of its broader advocacy.
- →Restoration of the illuminated Diwali sign
- →Ring-fenced annual funding for Melbourne Diwali
- →Recognition as a signature City of Melbourne event
ADF Cadet participation
A proposed ADF Cadet participation arrangement did not proceed in 2025. LITA subsequently referred to the matter in its PJCIS submission. This account reflects LITA’s own record; no independent public reporting on the reason for this has been identified.
Read the submission →LITA and Melbourne Diwali
Melbourne Diwali is run by its own organisers. LITA supports the festival through its business network and advocacy work, as part of its wider mission for Melbourne’s Indian business community.