Reflections on Faith and Festivity: How Londoners Have Celebrated Religion in 2025, and What’s Still to Come!
22/05/2025 Written by Husna Ali Pirbhai
⏱ 16 minute read
From Ramadan nights to Easter mornings, we look back on how faith has been celebrated across the city so far — including two reflective interviews. Divpriya Kurana, a Kabli Sikh student, sharing what last month’s Vaisakhi meant to her and her community, and Princess Quaye, a Christian student who talks about her Lent observation and Easter celebration.
As spring unfolded across London in 2025, the city has come alive with colourful festivities and sacred traditions, set by its many faiths and communities. In the span of just a few months, people of all ages and religious backgrounds have been partaking in both long-established and unique customs, bringing the city to life. As it is now May, an amalgamation of spring and the start of summer, let’s reflect on how Londoners have been celebrating!
Vaisakhi
Date: April 14–19
Celebrated by: Sikh communities
Vaisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh. In Punjab and Northern India, it is seen as a celebration of the spring harvest. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Sikhs celebrated Vaishaki in London this year.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Divpriya Kurana, a London-based student, to talk about how she and her family celebrated Vaisakhi this year—and what the festival truly means to them.
Q: What does a typical Vaisakhi celebration look like for you and your family?
A: "We usually start our day at the gurudwara around 7 a.m. for Matha Thek—that’s when we bow before the Guru Granth Sahib and sit for the morning programme. The sermons last a few hours and end with Ardaas, a standing prayer that feels beautifully unifying. Afterwards, we all gather in the langar hall for a communal meal—completely free and served with love through seva (service). It’s like a spiritual food hall, and there’s such a sense of warmth there."
Q: Are there any personal or family traditions that are unique to how you mark Vaisakhi?
A: "Absolutely. After the gurudwara, it’s tradition for my family to head to the park—we’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember. We’ll have a barbecue, play games, go for walks. Vaisakhi is our new year, and being outside in nature feels symbolic of fresh beginnings. One of my fondest memories is being at the gurudwara until 4 a.m. as a kid—everyone chanting Waheguru. It was electric. I felt so safe and connected."
Q: You mentioned being a Kabli Sikh. How does your Afghan heritage shape the way you experience this festival?
A: "It makes a big difference. For starters, our food on Vaisakhi is more traditionally Afghan—dishes like Mantu or Ashak that you wouldn’t usually see in Punjabi Sikh homes. There’s also a deeper layer of meaning for many Afghan Sikhs because we come from an Islamic country. Holding onto Sikhism in that context meant everything. I think that deepens our spiritual experience."
Q: Do you think younger generations are still holding onto that Kabli Sikh identity?
A: "We’re trying. Our community in the UK is small, but we stay connected through language, family, and our shared history. We speak a unique dialect, and we take pride in our roots—even though many of us came from lower-class backgrounds in Afghanistan. The second generation is naturally influenced by British culture, which isn’t a bad thing—it’s just evolution. But there’s a real effort to hold onto what matters."
Q: If there’s one thing you wish people understood about your community, what would it be?
A: "That our freedom here didn’t come easy. Afghan Sikhs had to work incredibly hard to build a life in the UK. Behind so many corner shops or small businesses is someone from our community, just trying to give their family a better future. That deserves recognition."
For Divpriya, Vaisakhi is more than just a spiritual holiday, it’s a testament to her family’s history, their struggles, and their strength. Her story reflects the diversity within Sikh identity itself, and reminds us how culture, place, and heritage shape the ways we find meaning in tradition.
In honour of the Vaishaki, Trafalgar Square transformed into a living tribute of Sikh heritage. Punjabi traditional music, martial arts demonstrations, and the sharing of langar (free vegetarian meals) created a festive and spiritual environment.
Eid al-Fitr
Date: March 30/31
Observed by: Muslim communities
Eid al-Fitr is a celebration marking the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer. It is a time where Muslims come together to eat good food, wear new clothes and exchange gifts. With themes of gratitude, charity and family; Eid is a chance to strengthen faith and express thanks to Allah (God) for the blessings received during Ramadan.
Eid Through My Eyes
Eid has always been a cornerstone of my life, shaping both my memories and my sense of culture and tradition. As a Muslim, it’s a time that brings my whole family together; cousins crammed into our grandparents’ house, deep conversations flowing, and the familiar chaos of our favourite games filling the air. One of our most-loved traditions is Secret Eid, our playful spin on the better-known Secret Santa. Picture all of us gathered in a giant circle in my grandma’s living room, Mafia-style, as we point fingers and swap surprise gifts.
The Eid food spread is also something incredibly important in our family. Each household brings something for the dessert and snack table, this year, we went all out. Think tandoori chicken vol-au-vents cut into star shapes, dates filled with pistachio crème and chocolate (very much inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate) and rose-flavoured cupcakes, all very fitting for Eid if you ask me. The display lasts just long enough for the Instagram pictures—then it’s game over.
Even the lead-up to Eid was filled with fun and important activities. My cousin and I made Pinterest boards for our outfits, makeup, mehndi, and hair looks. Shopping for gifts may have drained my bank account, but I will call it festive generosity. Lastly, in accordance with one of the five pillars of Islam, every member of my family donated 2.5% of our money to the less fortunate. We do this at the end of Ramadan, and it makes me all the more grateful for what I have, each year.
This year, Faith communities and civic officials interacted over food and cultural acts at the Lord Mayor's Eid Dinner, which was hosted at the historic Guildhall.
Lent & Easter
Date: March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 20 (Easter Sunday)
Observed by: Christian communities
Despite the sombre beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, the 40-day journey that followed was subtly powerful. In every church in London, from the opulence of St. Paul's Cathedral to the small, personal parish churches in Camden, Clapham, and Croydon, worshippers adopted a pattern of prayer, fasting, and service.
This year, efforts such as Lent Lunches, in which churches served modest meals and gave the earnings to charity, became popular once more.
Lent can be observed in several different ways, whether that be through fasting or by giving something up. This is in imitation of Jesus's fast in the desert and can also be a way of abandoning bad habits and building new ones.
Many individuals chose to disconnect from social media during Lent to reclaim time for spiritual practices. The Christian charity CAP UK suggested, “Remove the noise and busyness of a constantly updating feed... and use the time you’ve gained to seek God, read the Bible or pray”.
Some chose to limit screen time, deleting social media apps like TikTok for example. Whilst others abstained from “luxuries” such as fast food, excess sugar and smoking. St. Margaret's Parish noted that during Lent, individuals are "called to give things up that may harm us”.
As the last of the Easter eggs disappear and spring begins to bloom in full force, Princess Quaye reflects on the deeper meaning behind the season beyond chocolate bunnies and family feasts.
For her, Lent remains one of the most important parts of the Christian calendar, particularly within Catholic and Orthodox traditions. A product of Catholic schools and Sunday services, she continues to observe Lent each year, even after moving beyond her childhood faith routines.
"Lent is about remembering Jesus' sacrifice for us, the suffering he went through, and ultimately, His gift of eternal life," she explains. And it's not just about giving something up. "It’s a time of personal reflection. You acknowledge your flaws, and through prayer and faith, you grow."
This year, she gave up fast food, sweets, fizzy drinks (even her beloved Coca-Cola), and general spending on treats. "It was tough at first," she admits, "but with God's help, I made it through the full 40 days."
What many don’t realise, she notes, is that fasting is a common Christian practice. "It’s just not talked about much because the Bible tells us to keep it between us and God, it’s not about public validation."
When Easter Sunday arrived, she celebrated the way she always has, in church, surrounded by loved ones. “Easter isn’t a sad day,” she smiles. “It reminds me that even after the darkest times, there’s light and resurrection. Just like Jesus rose again, I believe we all can rise through our own struggles, too.”
Holi
Date: March 15–16
Celebrated by: Hindu communities
Holi is a two-day festival also known as the “Festival of Colours”. The first day is traditionally celebrated with a bonfire and the second day features the iconic throwing of coloured powder and water. The celebrations mark the beginning of Spring and good over evil.
This year, thousands of Londoners filled locations such as Hackney Bridge, Woolwich Temple, and Cranford Community College in Hounslow for one of the most vibrant multicultural gatherings in the city. Traditional foods were shared, while music ranged from devotional bhajans to pulsing Bollywood hits.
Traditionally, Holi begins with Holika Dahan, the symbolic burning of evil, followed the next day by Rangwali Holi, when people gather to play with the famous coloured powders (gulal), dance to music, and share sweets like gujiya and thandai. While these practices remain at the heart of the festival, London’s diverse take on Holi reflects a joyful fusion of the old and new.
Temples such as Sindhi Mandir in Cricklewood kept closely to traditional roots this year, hosting spiritual aarti (prayer ceremonies), live dhol performances, and serving classic Holi dishes. For many attendees, it was a way to honour their heritage while creating new memories in a global city.
Waterlow Park in Highgate hosted a “Magic of India” Holi event this year. The Holi Colour Dance Festival was a vibrant celebration that brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds. One attendee reflected on the event, stating, "It was my first ever Holi and I couldn't ask for a better experience. After visiting India, the event really made me feel a true Indian vibe”.
In Hounslow, the annual Rang Barse event turned the area into a Bollywood block party, complete with DJs, dance troupes, and even bouncy castles for the little ones. Through blending traditional practices and celebrations with modern and fun concepts, memories were built and those of all ages and backgrounds were able to get involved. For many Londoners, particularly second-generation South Asians, Holi has become a great way to reconnect with their roots while celebrating their identity in a modern and diverse city like London. Online, TikToks on modern gujiya recipes flooded timelines in the days leading up to the festival.
What’s Coming Next?
🎉 Vesak
Date: May 22 (date may vary)
Celebrated by: Buddhist communities
Details: Marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, Vesak is observed with serene ceremonies, meditation, and acts of kindness. London’s Buddhist temples—such as the London Buddhist Vihara and Fo Guang Shan Temple—host lantern lighting, chanting, and community meals open to all.
🕌 Eid al-Adha
Date: Expected June 16–17 (subject to moon sighting)
Celebrated by: Muslim communities
Details: Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is one of Islam’s holiest days. It includes morning prayers, the ritual of Qurbani (charitable sacrifice), and gatherings over generous feasts. Large public celebrations are expected in Trafalgar Square, Walthamstow, and West London parks.
🕉️ Raksha Bandhan
Date: August 19
Celebrated by: Hindu communities
Details: A joyful festival celebrating the bond between siblings. Sisters tie a protective rakhi thread on their brothers' wrists, while families exchange sweets and gifts. Look out for temple festivities across South and West London, as well as colourful rakhis sold in local markets.
⛪ Assumption of Mary
Date: August 15
Celebrated by: Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities
Details: Honouring the Virgin Mary's ascent into heaven, this holy day includes Masses, Marian processions, and community meals, particularly in London’s Catholic parishes and Eastern European churches.
