Brussels Diwali Festival 2026 moves to 7 and 8 November: tickets, programme and what to know
by 
Babylon Radio
Listen nowBrussels Diwali Festival 2026 has moved to Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November. Organiser Art India says that the festival will not go ahead on 24 and 25 October, following advice from the Belgian authorities about severe weather warnings. The venue, opening hours and programme stay the same, and existing tickets remain valid.
The 10th edition takes place on the Atomium esplanade, with music, dance, food from across India, a Bollywood night and fireworks. It is open to everyone, so it is an easy way for newcomers and international students to experience Diwali in Brussels for the first time.
Details checked on 22 October 2026 against the official festival website. All times are Brussels local time.
Brussels Diwali Festival 2026 at a glance
- New dates: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, 12:00 to 22:30 each day
- Cancelled dates: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026 (no festival on these days)
- Place: Atomium esplanade; the only entrance is at Place du Centenaire, 1020 Brussels
- Online tickets: €12 until 6 November, valid for either day or both, with no booking fees
- Children under 12: free, but add them to your booking so they receive an event band
- Fireworks: planned for 21:00 on both evenings, subject to the authorities and the weather
I already have a ticket. What should I do?
Nothing. Art India says your ticket stays valid for 7 and 8 November with the same QR code. Tickets are not refundable, but if you cannot attend on the new dates you can pass your ticket to a friend or family member. The QR code works for whoever shows it.
If you booked travel or accommodation for 24 and 25 October, contact those providers yourself: the festival’s ticket policy does not cover them.
What is on the programme?
The festival programme runs over both days, with a few one-day highlights:
- Both days: the Ticket2Bollywood night with headliner DJ Param, Punjab Pind (a journey to a Punjabi village) and South India Tollywood Fire, a celebration of Telugu cinema
- Saturday only: a concert by Dr. Suryaprakash Vidwan
- Sunday only: Glamour Brides of India, a show about wedding traditions from different regions, and DJ Nitro joins the Bollywood night
Expect stalls with crafts and costumes from across India, live dance from classical styles to Bollywood, and dhol drumming. For the 10th edition, European embassies and cultural institutes are also joining in, pairing their own traditions with Indian ones along an avenue of lamps.
Food, faith and first-timers
Regional kitchens serve dishes such as chaat, dosa and jalebi, with masala chai, lassi and beer along the esplanade. The organisers say there are tables, chairs and covered dining tents on site.
A hand-decorated temple tent hosts a puja for peace and harmony on both days. Art India says everyone is welcome, whatever they believe, and you can simply watch. You do not need to know anything about Diwali to enjoy the festival.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, especially in the afternoon. There are rangoli, mehndi, dance and cooking workshops for younger visitors, plus storytelling. Evenings are loud, so the organisers suggest ear protection for small children before the 21:00 fireworks. The esplanade is flat and suitable for buggies.
How do I get there?
Take STIB metro line 6 to Heysel, a short walk from the entrance at Place du Centenaire. Public parking is available at Kinepolis. Early November evenings can be cold and wet in Brussels, so dress for the weather.
Check the official website again before you travel, in case of further weather or safety updates.
Illustrative archive image: a dancer at Diwali celebrations in Trafalgar Square, London, 15 October 2006. This is not the Brussels festival, and the person shown is not connected to this story. Photo: S Pakhrin, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Cropped and resized.