Planning a Diwali Celebration at Work? Here’s How to Make It Inclusive, Easy and Delicious

How do you plan a Diwali celebration at work?

The simplest way to celebrate Diwali at work is to share good food, explain what the festival means, and keep the event short enough that everyone can join. Book a date close to the festival, order vegetarian food and fresh sweets that suit most diets, add a few lights or diyas, and invite colleagues of every background to take part.

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November, so most UK workplaces will celebrate on Friday 6 November or the Monday after. That gives you about three weeks to plan from today.

We have served Punjabi Food & Indian Sweets in Slough for over 20 years, and every autumn our phones fill with calls from office managers, HR teams and team leads asking the same thing: how do we get this right? Here is what we tell them.

What is Diwali, in plain words?

Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world. It marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Families light oil lamps called diyas, wear new clothes, visit relatives and exchange boxes of sweets.

For Sikhs, the same day is Bandi Chhor Divas, which remembers the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment. Jains mark it as the day Lord Mahavira attained moksha. Mentioning this in your invite is a small touch, yet it shows colleagues you took the time to understand their traditions.

In a town like Slough, where many families have roots in Punjab and Gujarat, Diwali is one of the biggest days of the year. For many colleagues, seeing it recognised at work genuinely matters.

How to make an office Diwali celebration inclusive

Inclusive means two things here. Colleagues who celebrate Diwali should feel respected, and colleagues who do not should feel welcome to join in.

Ask the people who celebrate. Before you plan anything, speak to colleagues who mark Diwali at home. Some will gladly share how their family celebrates. Others may prefer not to be put on the spot, and that is fine too.

Keep the food vegetarian. Many Hindus, Sikhs and Jains avoid meat, and some avoid eggs as well. A fully vegetarian spread means nobody has to check labels or ask awkward questions. Jain colleagues may also avoid onion, garlic and root vegetables, so ask in advance and order a few dishes without them.

Label everything. Simple cards listing nuts, dairy and gluten help colleagues with allergies enjoy the food safely. Many Indian sweets contain cashews, almonds or pistachios, so flag these clearly.

Make joining optional and easy. Hold the event during working hours, keep it to about an hour, and avoid anything that feels like a religious ritual people must take part in. Sharing food is the most universal way to celebrate, and it works for every faith and none.

How to keep the planning easy

You do not need a big budget or a week of preparation. Most successful office Diwali events we have catered follow the same simple pattern.

Pick the right slot. Lunchtime or a late afternoon break works best. People are already thinking about food, and remote colleagues can dial in for the first ten minutes.

Choose a format. A buffet lunch suits teams of 20 or more. For smaller teams, a sweet box on every desk plus a shared platter of snacks is often enough.

Order early. Diwali is the busiest week of the year for every Indian sweet shop in the UK. Book catering at least two weeks ahead, and if you want gift boxes for staff or clients, you can Order Indian Sweets Online in Slough and have them delivered anywhere in the UK.

Plan quantities. As a rough guide, allow two or three savoury snacks and three or four pieces of mithai per person. People always come back for seconds of the sweets.

What food should you serve at a work Diwali party?

Serve a mix of warm savoury snacks, one or two mild curries, and a generous tray of fresh Indian sweets. That combination pleases adventurous eaters and cautious ones alike.

For savoury food, samosas and pakoras are the safest crowd pleasers. Chaat samosa adds a tangy, colourful option. If you want a fuller lunch, mild dishes such as Mutter Paneer, Channa Masala and Tadka Daal with rice or naan suit almost every palate. Colleagues who already know the Best Punjabi Takeaway in Slough will recognise these as homestyle favourites rather than restaurant curry.

Sweets are the heart of Diwali, so do not skimp here. Kaju Katli is elegant and easy to eat at a desk. Besan Ladoo and Motichoor Ladoo are festive classics. Gulab Jamun and Rasmalai feel indulgent, though they need bowls and spoons. Mithai tastes best within a few days of making, so it is worth the effort to Buy Fresh Indian Mithai in Slough rather than relying on packaged boxes from the supermarket.

For drinks, masala chai is perfect on a cold November afternoon. Mango lassi is a welcome sweet alternative.

Simple Diwali activities and decorations for the office

A little atmosphere goes a long way. Swap real flames for LED diyas or battery tea lights, since most offices have fire rules. String lights, marigold garlands and colourful cushions transform a meeting room in minutes.

A few easy activities help people connect:

• A rangoli corner where colleagues add coloured sand, rice or chalk to a shared design
• A five minute talk from a volunteer about how their family celebrates
• A dress up option inviting anyone who wants to wear traditional or festive clothes
• A sweet tasting table where people vote for their favourite mithai

Keep it relaxed. The best office Diwali celebrations feel like a warm gathering, not a performance.

Make this Diwali one your team remembers

An inclusive, easy and delicious Diwali at work comes down to a few choices: ask before you plan, keep the food vegetarian and clearly labelled, book early, and let the sweets do the talking.

If your workplace is in Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, Marlow or nearby, Maharaja Sweets can cater your office celebration with fresh Punjabi food and handmade mithai, or send gift boxes to colleagues and clients across the UK.

Visit us: 8 Grasmere Parade, Wexham Road, Slough SL2 5HZ

Open: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM

Call: 01753 533566

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November. Most UK workplaces will hold their celebration on Friday 6 November or Monday 9 November.

Is it appropriate to celebrate Diwali at work?

Yes. Many UK employers mark Diwali as part of their diversity and inclusion calendar. Keep the event optional, focus on sharing food and learning, and involve colleagues who celebrate in the planning.

What food is best for an office Diwali party?

Vegetarian food works best because it suits Hindu, Sikh and Jain colleagues as well as everyone else. Samosas, pakoras, mild curries such as Mutter Paneer and Channa Masala, and fresh Indian sweets like Kaju Katli and Ladoo are reliable choices.

How much mithai should I order per person?

Allow roughly three or four pieces of mithai per person for an office celebration. Order a little extra, because sweets are usually the first thing to run out.

How far in advance should I book Diwali catering?

Book at least two weeks before Diwali. It is the busiest time of year for Indian sweet shops and caterers, and popular dates fill quickly.

What is a good Diwali gift for colleagues or clients?

A box of fresh Indian sweets is the most traditional Diwali gift. Kaju Katli, Besan Ladoo and mixed mithai boxes are popular choices for staff and corporate gifting.

Does Maharaja Sweets cater office Diwali events?

Yes. Maharaja Sweets in Slough caters corporate events with vegetarian Punjabi food and handmade sweets, and delivers sweet boxes across the UK. Call 01753 533566 to book.