Melbourne Diwali
A long-running community festival held in Melbourne’s Docklands.
25,000+
Expected attendance, as publicly promoted (2025)
Community-organised
Independently funded through sponsorship, fundraising and volunteer support
The story of Melbourne Diwali
Melbourne Diwali is a long-running, community-organised festival held in Melbourne’s Docklands. 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 funded through volunteer labour, private sponsorship and community fundraising.
“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, 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
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. Festival dates, program and entry details are published on the festival’s own site, melbournediwali.com.au.