Diwali Events Round Up 2024

diwali events 2024
Unsplash

Diwali Events Round Up 2024

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…Meet Kavi Sharma, American Girl’s 2023 Girl of the Year!

Manhattan

Diwali at CMOM

Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., Upper West Side
Friday, Nov. 1, 10 am – 5 pm
All ages
Included with $17 admission

Experience rich Indian culture as you journey through different parts of India to experience art and culture while celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. 

Diwali Celebration at the Seaport Museum

South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., Downtown Manhattan
Friday, Nov. 1, 11 am – 6 pm
All ages
Free

Join the Seaport Museum and The Culture Tree for a full day of festive activities to mark Diwali.

Create your own baggywrinkle decoration inspired by marigold garlands, a symbol of good fortune and faith, but with a maritime twist. Plus, decorate your own “diya lamp”—or in this case, a candle—and float it in a special pool on deck, symbolizing prosperity for the new year. From 4pm to 6pm, enjoy Diwali Puppet Storytime on Wavertree, and read stories like A Kids Book About Diwali, perfect for children and families. Following Storytime, dive into an interactive dance workshop where you’ll learn mudras (hand gestures) from classical Indian dance and groove to popular Diwali songs in a lively performance!

Diwali at NYPL: Ramleela Puppet Show

53rd Street Library, 18 West 53rd St., Midtown West
Friday, Nov. 1, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
All ages
Free

What is the meaning of true devotion, love, kindness and valor? Brave prince Ram and his allies must rescue his kidnapped wife Sita from the King Ravan in this ancient Indian story from the Ramayana, coming to learn the true meaning of why Diwali is celebrated.

Diwali Fest

Bhakti Center, 25 First Ave., Gramercy
Friday, Nov. 1, 5 – 9 pm
All ages
Free

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Diwali to light up the city with joy and happiness. This unforgettable evening will be filled with cultural performances, delicious food, and vibrant kirtan. Experience the magic of Diwali as you witness mesmerizing dance performances, traditional music, and vibrant displays of Indian art. Indulge in a variety of mouthwatering delicacies, from savory snacks to delectable sweets, as you savor the flavors of this festive season. 

Diwali Storytime Celebration

Riverside Library, 127 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Ages 3 – 12
Free

Join the Library for bi-lingual (Hindi English) Diwali storytime with author Anu Sehgal, in which she will read a couple of beautiful books on Diwali: Kahaani Purani and A Kids Book About Diwali, 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 diya making art activity and end the event with a fun Diwali trivia. 

Bronx

Diwali Lanterns

Jerome Park Library, 118 Eames Place, Jerome Park
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 3:30 – 5 pm
Ages 5-18
Free

Join the library to learn about Diwali and make a Diwali lantern.

Brooklyn

Eeme & Shan Concert and Diwali Read Aloud and Craft

Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, East Flatbush
Friday, Nov. 1, 11 am – 12 pm
All ages
Free

Join Eeme & Shan for a fun-filled Friday with original and classic songs from this popular music duo. This interactive program will have adults and kids dancing and singing along. After the performance, enjoy a read aloud about how to celebrate Diwali, a holiday of lights, and make your own Diya.

Diwali in Prospect Park

Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Crown Heights
Sunday, Nov. 3, 3 – 6 pm
All ages
Free

Enjoy the family-friendly celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights at the Prospect Park Boathouse. In Prospect Park, join the celebration by decorating clay with acrylic colors, and create flower garlands, called har-mala, and honor the rich artisanal textiles and attire of India. Plus, create Rangoli designs with flower petals and enjoy a performance with Rhythm Tolee, an award winning New York City based Punjabi band. Rhythm Tolee performs a wide variety of songs by mixing Punjabi Folk and Sufi music with hip tunes.

Diwali at BCM

Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2:30 – 4:30 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 Diwali is celebrated! Other activities include a mithai (Indian sweets) making workshop, and diya paper 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 Arts & Crafts: Mandala Kaleidocycle

Queens Library- Bayside, 214-20 Northern Boulevard, Bayside
Friday, Nov. 1, 4 – 5:30 pm
Ages 6-11
Free

Join the library for a special Diwali-themed arts and crafts session where kids will create their very own mandala kaleidocycle! This hands-on activity combines coloring, cutting, folding, and gluing to make a mesmerizing, rotating mandala that celebrates the vibrant colors and patterns of Diwali. Each participant will receive pre-designed templates with pre-drawn patterns and cutting/folding guidelines, making it easy for everyone to dive into the creative process. Materials will be provided. Space is limited and supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

10th Annual Diwali Festival

Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
Saturday, Nov. 2, 12 – 4 pm
All ages
$20; $15 member; free for children.

Celebrate Diwali with this all-ages festival and dance party, featuring DJ Rekha and Kathak classical dancer Abha Roy, Srijan Dance Company with special guest dance troupe ADDA and Dr. Santa R. Nandi! With family friendly workshops, including: block printing with Alka Mukerji, rangoli making with Joshua Roychowdhury, Indian cooking with Chef Nupur and Queens Curry Kitchen, as well as henna by Bella Beauty, Hindi calligraphy and more.

Psst…Check out Holiday Hacks for Busy Parents.

newsletter-signup

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Visit Schoharie County

<p>The Schoharie Valley is home to things grown well - trees, crops, produce, people. It is filled with inviting farms and businesses beckoning visitors to experience what locals love about the region. Its enchanting vistas, rich farmland, and strong sense of community are what make Schoharie County such a fascinating place to visit and to live.</p>

Color Me Mine

<p>Color Me Mine Upper West Side proudly stands as a minority woman-owned studio, and we've been an integral part of the Color Me Mine franchise system since 2018! Pottery painting isn't just an activity; it's a captivating and inclusive experience that transcends age and skill levels.</p> <p>At Color Me Mine Upper West Side, we extend a warm invitation to dive into a realm of creativity, self-expression, and connection. Families, friends and teams grow stronger bonds when they create memories together, and at Color Me Mine, we're here to help facilitate those moments.</p> <p>Whether you're seeking a delightful family outing, a unique date night, or a solo adventure, our paint-your-own-pottery studio offers boundless possibilities. Step into our welcoming space in the heart of Lincoln Center and unleash your inner artist. Create unforgettable memories as you craft beautiful ceramic masterpieces to cherish for many years to come.</p> <p>Color Me Mine Upper West Side is also the preferred venue for celebrations of all kinds. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a baby or bridal shower, a team-building event, a gathering for college groups, an enriching field trip, or an adventure with scouts, we've got you covered. Our versatile space and passionate team provides the perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories and fostering creativity in every guest.</p> <p>Join us at Color Me Mine Upper West Side, at 177 Amsterdam Avenue in New York City where every visit promises a fun journey of color, joy, and artistic exploration!</p>

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</p>