Free

Essential Information

Type Events and festivals
Location
Date and Times Past event
Prices Free

Diwali at the National Maritime Museum is a fantastic family-friendly celebration, featuring free live performances, workshops, talks, a lantern parade and more.

For two years running the Museum has teamed up with Mehala Ford, founder of south Asian arts collective COMMONGROUND&, to curate the celebrations.

Due to roof works at the National Maritime Museum we're sadly not able to host the event in 2024, but keep an eye on our website for more updates about 2025's celebrations. You can also check out our what's on guide here to find more events and festivals taking place in Greenwich.

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Meet our partners

For two years the National Maritime Museum has teamed up with Mehala Ford, founder of south Asian arts collective COMMONGROUND&, to curate Greenwich's Diwali celebrations.

"Diwali is a festival that celebrates new beginnings, wealth and prosperity and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is observed around the world by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains," she explains.

"Shared rituals and ceremonies, such as those that take place at Diwali, can offer us a sense of belonging," Mehala adds. "New rituals and ceremonies are emerging and old ones are being revised to include people who do not identify themselves as traditionally religious, bringing people together based on a sense of community, rather than shared religious beliefs."

What’s On

Find more events and festivals taking place in Greenwich.

Christmas at the Queen's House
Events and festivals | Christmas

Christmas at the Queen's House

From talks to tours, there’s plenty of festive events to enjoy
Throughout December | See below for details
Free Entry
Queen's House
350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich
Events and festivals

350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich

Celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important scientific sites in the world
Throughout 2025
Free Entry
Royal Observatory
Art Laughs at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Art Laughs at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre

Get ready for a guided tour with a difference, exploring the weird and wonderful collections of Royal Museums Greenwich with comedian Verity Babbs and special guests
Saturday 11 January 2025 | 6pm - 8pm
£20 Adults | £15 Students and Under 25s | £18 Members
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
In The Dark
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

In The Dark

This Burns Night, join us at Cutty Sark for a completely unique auditory experience in the dark
Saturday 25 January 2025 | 7.15pm and 9.15pm
£40 – General admission | £36 – Members
Cutty Sark
LGBTQ+ History Month
Events and festivals

LGBTQ+ History Month

Join us in Greenwich this February for a spectacular series of events celebrating queer histories, cultures and communities
Throughout February 2025
Free Entry
In Greenwich
Fierce Queens: En Vogue
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Fierce Queens: En Vogue

In celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, the Queen's House is throwing open its doors for a fashion show like no other!
Friday 28 February 2025 | 7-11pm
Adults: £16 | Concessions and students (18+): £13 | Companions FREE
Queen's House
Charlie Connelly - Attention All Shipping
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Charlie Connelly - Attention All Shipping

Charlie Connelly's hilarious one-man show brings the legendary shipping forecast vividly to life
Friday 17 October 2025 | 7-9pm
Adult: £22 | Member: £20
Cutty Sark

Visit the National Maritime Museum

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Our partners

COMMONGROUND& offers a showcase for South Asian creatives across a broad range of disciplines. The collective allows artists and creatives of South Asian heritage to express themselves and show their work.

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All events on the day are free. You are welcome to book free National Maritime tickets in advance to guarantee entry, or just turn up on the day - find out more about planning your visit here.

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