Wellington’s waterfront will come alive with Indian music, dance, food and family celebrations on Sunday 25 October as the city’s Diwali Festival of Lights returns to TSB Arena and Shed 6.
The free festival, running from 2pm until 8.30pm, will bring together performers, families and community groups for an afternoon celebrating the traditions and cultures of Wellington’s Indian communities.
Visitors will be able to explore stalls selling Indian clothing, jewellery and crafts, enjoy henna painting and sample vegetarian dishes from different regions of India.
At the heart of the celebrations will be a programme of performances showcasing the talents of local dancers and musicians, from classical Indian traditions to contemporary Bollywood and Bhangra.
The stage programme begins with opening acts at 2.05pm, followed by an opening ceremony at 2.30pm.
Young performers will have their moment in the spotlight during the Starlights Kids Zone from 3pm. Classical performances follow at 3.40pm, with traditional and modern dance from 4.25pm.
The evening programme includes fusion performances at 6.45pm, Bolly World at 7.40pm and finale acts beginning at 8.10pm.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important celebrations in Indian culture. Rooted in Hindu traditions and observed by communities around the world, it celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
The lighting of traditional lamps, known as diyas, symbolises hope, renewal and the welcoming of light into people’s lives.
In Wellington, the festival has also become an opportunity for different generations to share their cultural heritage and for the wider community to experience traditions that are an important part of the city’s identity.
Communities Action Trust New Zealand (CATNZ), which has helped produce Wellington’s Diwali festivals since 2009, is organising this year’s celebrations with support from Wellington City Council, the High Commission of India and Radio Tarana.
The longstanding partnership has helped establish Diwali as a regular occasion for community organisations, cultural performers and families to come together.
The festivities will finish with a short fireworks display over Wellington Harbour at approximately 8.50pm, subject to weather conditions.
Queens Wharf and other parts of the Wellington waterfront will provide viewing areas for the display, which follows the conclusion of the indoor programme at 8.30pm.
The festival takes place during Labour Weekend, ahead of the main Diwali celebrations on 8 November.
Entry is free. Visitors can check the Wellington City Council website for the latest programme details and any changes to arrangements.
