Diwali - the Festival of Lights at Corfe Castle

Visitors will arrive through a ceremonially decorated entrance featuring rangoli, floral installations, and ambient lighting. A marketplace of regional Indian food stalls will be complemented by a central performance stage hosting traditional and contemporary dance, live music, and storytelling with themes exploring the meaning of Diwali: light over darkness, hope, and community.

A dedicated children's activity zone will offer hands-on rangoli-making, arts and crafts, and storytelling workshops. The event will culminate in a diya-lighting ceremony, a shared symbolic moment in which all visitors are invited to participate, with site-wide illumination using the castle's ruined silhouette.

This event is co-created with the BPC Indian Community, a long-standing South Asian community partner in Purbeck.

Please note this is a ticketed event and booking is essential, there will be no tickets available on the day.

Adult tickets (18+): £10

Child tickets (5-17): £5

Under 5s: free entry

Booking number: Call 0344 249 1895

Accessibility: The Diwali event takes place in the Outer Bailey with step free access. Beyond the Outer Bailey (to get to the castle Keep at the top of the hill) involves steep slopes and steps. Please note there is a 10 - 15 minute walk from The NT Welcome Centre car park. For any further accessibility information please email corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01929 481294.

Meeting point: At Corfe Castle's Ticket Office, The Square, Corfe Castle, Near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5EZ

Suitability for children: This is a family friendly event.

What to bring and wear: Wear clothing appropriate for an outdoor event, including exploring castle ruins on a cold October night: Warm clothes and sensible footwear for outdoor uneven ground surfaces.

Other: Please note this is a ticketed event and booking is essential, there will be no tickets available on the day.