Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of the most vibrant and meaningful celebrations in the Hindu calendar – also observed by millions of Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world. It’s a time that honours the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair – celebrated with twinkling lamps, fireworks, delicious food, sweet treats, thoughtful gifts, and time spent with loved ones.
In the workplace, Diwali is a chance to bring people together. Whether your team celebrates Diwali or not, it’s an opportunity to spark connection, encourage cultural curiosity, and create moments that matter. From colourful office decorations and shared stories to sweet boxes and mindful gifting, there are plenty of ways to mark the occasion with meaning.
So how can businesses celebrate Diwali in a way that’s creative, respectful, and genuinely engaging?
What is Diwali and Why is it Celebrated?
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists across the world – including right here in the UK. While the specific stories and traditions vary between communities, the central theme remains the same: light overcoming darkness, good triumphing over evil, and the power of new beginnings.
For Hindus, Diwali often commemorates the return of Lord Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, or celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. In Jainism, it marks the moment when Lord Mahavira attained enlightenment, and for Sikhs, it honours the release of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 princes from captivity.
Although the stories differ, Diwali is universally marked by joy, colour, generosity, and light. Homes and businesses are lit up with diyas (oil lamps), candles, and fairy lights, and families gather to share food, sweets, gifts, and fireworks.
In the workplace, recognising Diwali offers a powerful way to:
- Honour the cultural heritage of team members
- Encourage learning and curiosity across cultures
- Create space for authentic connection and joy
As Diwali 2025 begins on Monday 20th October, now is the perfect time to start planning how your organisation can join in – with meaning, respect and a little sparkle.
Why Diwali Belongs in the Workplace
In a busy working world, intentional celebrations can be powerful tools for building connection, culture, and a genuine sense of belonging. Diwali is a vibrant celebration of light, joy, generosity, and renewal. And in the workplace, it’s a perfect opportunity to show that your business doesn’t just talk about inclusion – it lives it.
Here’s why Diwali deserves a spot on your company calendar:
It Fosters a Culture of Inclusion
When people see their culture or beliefs reflected and celebrated at work, it sends a powerful message: you matter here. For those who don’t celebrate Diwali, it’s an invitation to learn, engage, and take part in something joyful and new – together. This can be great for the overall mental health of your team.
It Sparks Connection and Conversation
From sharing sweets and decorating the office to storytelling and team lunches, Diwali naturally creates moments of connection. These shared experiences – however small – help strengthen relationships across teams, departments, and even time zones.
It Boosts Morale and Energy
A thoughtful celebration can lift the mood, energise your team, and bring some much-needed colour to the fourth quarter. It’s a refreshing break from the day-to-day that reminds everyone: work can be human, too.
It Shows Thoughtful Leadership
Recognition doesn’t always have to be tied to performance. Celebrating cultural moments like Diwali shows that your company cares about people not just for what they do, but for who they are. That’s the kind of leadership people remember – and stay loyal to.
It Supports Your DEI and CSR Goals
Whether it’s inclusive time-off policies, ethical gifting, or partnering with purpose-led suppliers, celebrating Diwali aligns with both DEI and corporate social responsibility initiatives – not as a tick-box, but as a meaningful part of your culture.
At its core, Diwali is a celebration of light, connection and fresh beginnings – values that resonate far beyond its cultural origins. Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or all in one place, there are countless creative ways to honour the festival and bring your people together in a way that feels meaningful.
Next up: inclusive, creative ways to bring Diwali to life at work.
Ideas for Celebrating Diwali in the Workplace
Whether you’re planning a small in-office gesture or a full week of cultural activities, Diwali offers plenty of ways to engage your team in joyful, inclusive and meaningful celebration. The key is to create opportunities for participation, learning, and connection.
Here are some practical and inclusive Diwali celebration ideas for your workplace:
1. Light Up the Office
Diwali is the Festival of Lights – so light should take centre stage! Decorate your office with:
- Diyas (traditional clay lamps)
- LED candles or fairy lights
- Marigold garlands
- Colourful bunting and paper lanterns
- Invite your team to help with the decorating – it’s a great icebreaker and team activity.
2. Create a Rangoli Together
Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form created on the floor using coloured powders, flower petals, or rice. It symbolises positivity, prosperity, and welcome.
- Set up a space in your office for a group Rangoli
- Host a mini competition for the best design
- If you’re remote, invite employees to submit digital Rangoli-inspired art
3. Diwali Lunch or Sweet Treat Table
Food is a big part of Diwali. Organise a team lunch and cater Indian dishes. If that’s not possible, set up a snack table with popular Indian sweets such as:
- Gulab Jamun
- Kaju Katli
- Rasmalai
- Besan Ladoo
Add signage that explains what each food is and its significance – it turns a simple treat into a learning opportunity.
4. Music, Games & Talent
Celebrate the joy of Diwali with something interactive:
- Host a mini talent show or Bollywood dance-off
- Play Diwali-themed games (e.g. Diya painting, trivia quizzes)
- Set up a festive playlist in the office or on your shared team platform
5. Henna (Mehndi) Station
Bring in a professional henna artist to apply beautiful, temporary designs. Traditionally applied to hands, henna is a symbol of good luck and celebration.
Make it inclusive by welcoming all genders and offering education about its cultural relevance.
6. Share Stories and Traditions
Invite employees who celebrate Diwali to share:
- What the holiday means to them
- How they celebrate with family
- Favourite traditions or childhood memories
This can be done during a team meeting, via an internal blog, or even through short video clips shared across your company comms.
No matter the size of your team or the format of your workplace, what matters most is creating space to recognise and respect the traditions of others. A simple diya, a box of sweets, or a heartfelt message can go a long way in making your team feel included.
The Best Diwali Gift for Employees
In many cultures, gifting is a central part of celebrating Diwali and for good reason. Giving during the Festival of Lights is a symbol of gratitude, goodwill, and prosperity. In the workplace, it’s also a meaningful way to recognise your team, show appreciation, and create a sense of belonging.
We believe gifting isn’t just about what’s inside the gift – it’s about creating a moment that matters. A physical touchpoint that says: we see you, we value you, and we’re celebrating with you.
Why Give Diwali Gifts at Work?
- Boost employee morale and motivation during the busy Q4 period
- Show cultural awareness and appreciation
- Create inclusion for team members who celebrate Diwali
- Provide a shared experience for hybrid or remote teams
- Reinforce your company’s commitment to thoughtful, inclusive leadership
Introducing the WellBox Diwali Gift
Our Diwali Gift is designed to bring joy, meaning, and a touch of celebration to your team – wherever they’re working.
Each gift includes:
- Promise Tin Candle – A warm, calming scent to reflect the spirit of light and renewal
- Mindful Meditation Card Gift Pack – Simple, grounding prompts to help your team pause and reflect
- Candy Kittens Gourmet Sweets – Plant-based, fruity indulgence with a modern twist
- Blendsmiths Turmeric & Cinnamon Sachet – A comforting blend with Ayurvedic roots, perfect for colder evenings
- Tony’s Chocolonely Dark Almond Vegan Bar – Ethically sourced, fairtrade chocolate from a brand that champions change
- Premium Sustainable Keepsake Gift Box – Stylish, eco-conscious packaging designed to be kept, reused, or repurposed
- Ethically sourced and socially conscious, with options to include a donation to a UK food bank or social cause
- Comes with a personalised message card from your company
- Delivered directly to employee homes or offices, with full nationwide coverage
Whether you’re gifting to 10 employees or 1,000, we make it easy to send a beautiful, culturally relevant Diwali gift.
Supporting Inclusion Beyond Diwali
Celebrating Diwali at work is a fantastic step toward building a more inclusive culture, but real inclusion doesn’t stop at one celebration. To create lasting impact, businesses need to embed cultural awareness and inclusion into the everyday employee experience.
Here’s how you can extend the spirit of Diwali into your wider inclusion strategy:
Offer Flexible Holiday Leave
Many UK businesses are rethinking the traditional “fixed” holiday model to offer floating holidays – allowing employees to take time off for culturally significant days like Diwali, Eid, Yom Kippur, or Lunar New Year.
This approach recognises that not all meaningful holidays are marked on the UK calendar, and gives your team the flexibility to celebrate what matters most to them.
Create a Cultural Calendar
Build awareness across your business by creating and sharing a diversity and inclusion calendar. Highlight key cultural, religious, and heritage dates throughout the year, and plan simple ways to acknowledge or celebrate them – even if it’s just a message, virtual background, or sweet treat.
Equip Managers with Cultural Competence
Support your managers with short guides or training on:
- How to have inclusive conversations
- What questions are respectful to ask (and what to avoid)
- How to support team members during religious observances
Inclusion starts at the team level – and confident, informed managers make all the difference.
Celebrate Authentically, Not Performatively
Employees can quickly tell when a cultural celebration feels like a checkbox exercise. The most meaningful moments come from:
- Listening to your team
- Inviting authentic input
- Keeping celebrations voluntary, respectful, and joyful
When employees see their culture being celebrated with care and sincerity, it builds trust and loyalty.
Partner with Purpose-Driven Suppliers
Whether you’re organising an event, sending gifts, or ordering catering – choose suppliers who reflect your values. We work with independent UK businesses, social enterprises, and offer options to include charitable donations with every gift.
Diwali may come once a year, but the opportunity to create a more connected, inclusive and values-led workplace is always in season.
Final Tips for a Meaningful Diwali Celebration
Before you start putting your Diwali celebration plans into motion, here are a few key tips to ensure the experience is inclusive, thoughtful, and well-received by your team:
Involve Your Team in Planning
If you have employees who celebrate Diwali, ask them how they’d like to see it represented. Not only does this ensure authenticity, but it also empowers team members to share their culture on their terms.
Focus on Experience Over Aesthetics
While decorations and photo ops are great, the most impactful celebrations are those that create connection – through shared food, storytelling, or gifting. Aim for moments that spark conversation and understanding.
Mind Cultural Nuances
Diwali traditions can vary between regions, religions, and families. Avoid assumptions or blanket statements – and where possible, celebrate the diversity within the celebration.
Celebrate with Intention
Whether it’s lighting a diya or gifting a WellBox gift, the best celebrations come from a place of thoughtfulness. Even small gestures can leave a lasting impression when they’re rooted in care.
Ready to Celebrate Diwali with Intention?
Diwali is more than a cultural celebration – it’s a chance to bring people together around shared values: light, joy, gratitude, and connection.
In an increasingly hybrid and fast-paced world, these moments of togetherness matter more than ever. By celebrating Diwali at work, you’re not just recognising a holiday – you’re showing your team that you see them, value them, and want them to feel a sense of belonging at work.
Whether it’s through decorating your office, sharing sweet treats, hosting inclusive events, or sending a Diwali Gift from WellBox, there are countless ways to make this Diwali one to remember.
Let’s help you celebrate Diwali in a way that’s meaningful, memorable, and made for modern work.
Struggling to Engage a Team with Diverse Cultures and Preferences?
Why not take a look at our FREE employee engagement toolkit. Inside, you’ll find useful tips on how to:
🎁 Recognise success in ways that feel personal, not just practical
🚀 Boost belonging with shared experiences for remote and hybrid teams
🌍 Lead with purpose by choosing moments that matter and gifts that give back
