Diwali Events Round Up 2023
Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains globally every year. The holiday falls on Nov. 12 this year, and we have a round up of events leading up to it to celebrate! Learn about the holiday and the culture that surrounds it with these events all over the city.
Psst… Here are books to read for Election Day!
Manhattan
Celebrate Diwali
Books of Wonder, 42 West 17th Street, Chelsea
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1 – 3 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate Diwali with These Wonderful Books! From a sweet celebration of the holiday, to a young boy finding his voice, to two siblings diving deep to save the merpeople! You won’t want to miss this great live event featuring My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani, Nikhil Out Loud by Maulik Pancholy, and The Poison Waves (Secrets of the Sky #2) by Sayantani DasGupta
Diwali Studio
Aksarā Studio, 10 W End Ave, Upper West Side
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 3 – 5 pm
All ages
$25; $10 additional participating adult
Engage in a plethora of creative activities ranging from painting, and paper sculpting to making a Diwali storyboard and watching a cooking demo.
Family Sundays: Dazzling Diyas
The Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th Street, Chelsea
Nov. 5-26, Sundays, 1 – 3 pm
All ages
Free
The festival Diwali, which originated in India and celebrates light overcoming darkness, will be officially celebrated in over 10 countries worldwide. This month, reflect on the light you bring to the world as you sculpt your own radiant diya (lamp), illuminated with LED lights.
Diwali Celebrations at Pier 57
Pier 57, 15th St and Hudson River Park, West Side Highway
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 4 – 8 pm
All ages
Free
In honor of the festival of lights, Pier 57 is celebrating with henna artists, Dholi drummers, and live performances and demonstrations from the Ajna Dance Company. Attendees can also stop by Market 57 to sample authentic Southeast Asian / Indian flavors from Ammi and Malai.
Diwali Artmaking Celebration
Pier 57, 15th St and Hudson River Park, West Side Highway
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 4 – 7 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate Diwali with the Children’s Museum of the Arts and The Culture Tree! Activities include Rangoli Coaster making and a Diwali Puppet Storytime for ages 12 and younger.
Diwali Celebration at the Seaport
Seaport Square, Between Pier 16 & 17, Downtown Manhattan
Friday, Nov. 10, 3 – 6 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights with an afternoon of dance performances, a dance workshop, and traditional art activities. There will also be a live DJ and a Diwali photo booth by , rangoli art, Indian food and mithai from TAGMO, and delights from other vendors.
The Culture Tree Presents Diwali Dances of India
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W 83rd Street, Upper West Side
Nov. 11-12, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm.
All ages
$16.75; $13.75 for seniors and visitors with disabilities
Experience rich Indian culture as you journey through different parts of India to experience dance, art, and culture while celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. Regional festivities bring unique flavors to this cherished event. Explore this and more as CMOM partners with The Culture Tree to showcase diverse Indian dances such as the Bharatnatyam, Odisi, Kathak, and Garba, capturing the essence of Diwali and the diversity of Indian culture.
Family Day: Diwali Lights Up Asia Society 2023
Asia Society, 725 Park Ave., Upper East Side
Saturday, Nov. 11, 1 – 4 pm
All ages
$12, $7 students and seniors; Free for members and children 12 and younger.
Come together to celebrate good fortune, family, and friendships. Enjoy puppet shows, dance performances, storytelling, and hands-on arts and crafts inspired by Diwali, one of the key festivals celebrated in South Asia, by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
Diwali Festival
Bhakti Center, 5 First Ave., East Village
Sunday, Nov. 12, 5 – 9 pm
All ages
Free admission
This Diwali Mela will feature traditional Indian musical dance performance, food stalls featuring Indian street food and drinks, henna stall, face painting and a photo booth! Hear about the significance of Diwali and sing an Aarti together. The evening will culminate in everyone having an opportunity to offer lamps!
Diwali Puppet Storytime
53rd Street Library, 18 West 53rd St., Midtown
Monday, Nov. 13, 4 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Children’s author Anu Sehgal will read a couple beautiful books, through which the festival of Diwali will come to life. Children will learn about its history, cultural and social significance. Storytime will be paired with a Diwali card making activity.
Bronx
Diwali Puppet Show: Ramleela, A Story of Diwali
Allerton Library, 2740 Barnes Avenue, Bronx
Monday, Nov. 6, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Ages 5 – 12
Free
Diwali is one of the key festivals celebrated in South Asian, by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. It is the festival of lights, with a symbolism of the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge of ignorance and hope over despair. The festival of Diwali has its roots in ancient India and the epic Ramayan. Through Ramleela Puppet Show, see Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Ravana come to life. It is a famous story on Diwali from North India. Presented by Culture Tree and WonderSpark Puppets
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Celebrates Diwali
New York City College of Technology, 300 Jay St., Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, Nov. 1, 5:30 – 8 pm
All ages
Free
Advanced registration required
Celebrate the ancient Hindu festival of Diwali which symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The event is expected to be filled with traditional festivities, including the lighting of lamps, music, dance performances, and delicious Indian cuisine.
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Festival of Lights 2023 – Diwali Celebration
Carmine Carro Community Center in Marine Park, 3000 Fillmore Ave., Marine Park
Friday, Nov. 3, 5 – 6 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate how good triumphs over evil in this holy month of Kartika on the Hindu Calendar.
Sparkles & Steps – A Family Diwali Event
Old First Reformed Church, 729 Carroll St., Park Slope
Saturday, Nov. 4, 4 – 8 pm
All ages
$35
Celebrate the joyous festival of Diwali with your loved ones with an evening filled with dazzling lights, vibrant colors, and unforgettable memories. Experience the vibrant traditions of Diwali as we light up the night with dazzling Diya and colorful decorations. Gather your loved ones and craft enduring memories through a range of engaging activities suitable for all ages. Enjoy henna tattoos, Storytelling, traditional Indian dance workshops, arts and crafts for young ones, groove to DJ Tauba’s tunes, Shop from our Diwali bazaar, and relish delectable Indian cuisine and beverages.
Diwali at BCM
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave, Crown Heights
Thursday, Nov. 9, 2 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Hear the story of Diwali brought to life through a puppet show, presented by The Culture Tree. This famous story teaches children the meaning of devotion, love, kindness, and valor—all while learning why we celebrate Diwali! Other activities include storytime with author Navina Chhabria, a mithai (Indian sweets) making workshop, and lantern making in the ColorLab art studio. Through these activities children will learn about Diwali, one of India’s biggest and most important festivals of the year.
Queens
Diwali Celebration
IS 230, 73-10 34th Avenue, Jackson Heights
Saturday, Nov. 4, 12 – 2:30 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a resource fair, lamp lighting ceremony, dance performances, food and music!
ONEWIN Diwali Festival of Lights
Villa Russo, 101-12 Lefferts Boulevard, Richmond Hill
Thursday, Nov. 5, 5 – 9 pm
All ages
Free admission
Gather as a community to light up the night and share the joy of Diwali, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. Mark your calendars for a night filled with diyas, musical and dance performances, Mehndi (Henna) art, delicious desserts and refreshments, Raffles, laughter, and joy.
Diwali in LIC 2023
Five Star Banquet, 13-05 43rd Avenue, Long Island City
Friday, Nov. 10, 6:30 – 10 pm
All ages
$110; free for children younger than 12
Experience the magic of this vibrant Diwali festival while coming together to light up the night with joy and laughter. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions, mesmerizing music, and mouthwatering cuisine that make Diwali so special. Get ready to have fun with sparklers, colorful decorations, and a lively atmosphere that will leave you spellbound. Dinner and Open Bar will be available to enjoy!
9th Annual Diwali Festival
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing
Sunday, Nov. 19, noon – 4 pm
All ages
$20; $15 members; $8 children.
Celebrate Diwali with this all-ages festival and dance party, featuring DJ Rekha and Kathak classical dancer Abha Roy and her Srijan Dance Company with special guest dancers! Enjoy Indian classical and folk dance performances that showcase the story of Diwali, and then DJ Rekha will get you dancing with Bollywood-inspired music that combines Punjabi music with hip-hop. Explore rangoli design with Anju Gupta, discover Indian food and recipes with Chef Nupur and Queens Curry Kitchen, as well as Indian block printing, henna, Hindi calligraphy and more.
