In Diwali, festival, event, indian, culture, cultural, autumn

Diwali in Leicester is set to light up the Golden Mile with the largest celebrations of the festival of light outside India, with fireworks, music, dance and fantastic food at this amazing event.

Leicester’s Diwali celebrations are famed around the world for being the largest outside the Asian sub-continent. And this year will be no exception, with the Diwali Day celebrations on 31 October expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the Golden Mile to celebrate the Festival of Light.

But the whole Diwali period is a time for the community to celebrate and absolutely everyone is welcome. There’s a whole host of events, exhibitions and performances to mark the whole of Diwali and throughout October the Golden Mile lives up to its name as it is illuminated with thousands of lights to represent the triumph of good over evil, friendship, peace and goodwill to all.

Lots of events in the run-up!

Here are just a few of the events you can expect over the next few weeks.

India to Leicester, An Artist’s Journey is on until 1 December at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. This free exhibition tells the story of artist K Koria and his drive to establish himself as the UK’s first Asian graphic artist.

The Wheel of Light is already there at the bottom of Belgrave Road and you can ride it at any time up to the 2 November.

On Saturday 19 October at Attenborough Arts Centre, experience the classical Indian dance form Bharata Natyam with Expressions of the Heart, a performance by Leicester-based dance artist Hiten Mistry. 

John Lewis are teaming up with the BAP Shri Swaminarayan Mandir to celebrate Diwali on Saturday 19 October with performances, dancers and a Diwali sculpture inside the Leicester story.

Throughout October Inspirate are uncovering the 40 year history of Diwali in Leicester, sharing stories from local communities and exploring how our Festival became the largest outside Asia. Watch out for the street art on Belgrave Road!

Half term Diwali fun

On Friday 25 October join the Haymarket Shopping Centre for a Diwali shadow puppet workshop. Make characters from the Ramayana and try them out. You’ll also experience dance performances from Nupur Arts.

Join Pedestrian during half term for a three day graffiti residency inspired by the Festival of Lights. Kids from 8-16 can work with professional artists to spray their own artworks to take home. Monday 21-Wednesday 23 October.

The LCB Depot always come up with some great artistic and creative ideas, and their new exhibition Spirit to Matter: Alchemy in the Making looks at this celebratory and transformational time of the year as people celebrate Diwali, Dia De Muertos, Samhain, Halloween and Black History Month. They’ll also have their regular Last Friday Creative meet up themed around the exhibition.

Curve theatre are getting into the Diwali spirit with a Ramayan Story Telling workshop and performance on Saturday 26 October run by the Centre for Indian Classical Dance. Then that evening head to Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre where in collaboration with the Canal and River Trust they’ll be putting on a spectacular waterside Diwali celebration. This includes a community-made lights trail, an on the water light display and the Waterfall of Light.

Also on Saturday 26 October Leicester Cathedral are putting on their annual Diwali concert of Indian Classical Music in partnership with the Sitar Music Society. Debasmita Bhattacharya on the Sarod will be accompanied by Sanju Sahai on the Tabla.

On Sunday 27 October at the Peepul Centre, The Enchanted Diwali Tree is a spellbinding show retelling the Diwali story and performed by children.

Diwali Day!

Then of course it’s time for the big day on Thursday 31 October, running from 3pm to 9pm all along the Golden Mile and into Cossington Street Recreation Ground where you can find the Diwali Village. There will be fashion, arts, crafts, plus of course loads of Indian snacks, curries and drinks. The village also features the Main Stage, which will have performances from 5-8.30pm, plus the ever-popular Fire Garden and Fun Fair.

Along the Golden Mile there will be loads of street theatre and processions throughout the evening, and the Wheel of Light will be in pride of place next to the big screen at the bottom of the Golden Mile for amazing panoramic views. Pop into the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre to see incredible rangoli patterns drawn in powder and if you want to supercharge your Diwali, then head up to the Red Bull DJ Truck with high octane live performances.

The grand finale, as ever, will be the amazing Diwali Fireworks display, taking place at 7.30pm. Expect a dazzling and explosive show which will light up the night sky no matter where you are along the Golden Mile, and conclude another magical Diwali in Leicester!

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