Hey everyone! Are you ready for an incredible Diwali Day celebration in Leicester? This year’s event is going to be bigger and better than ever before. Get ready for a parade featuring 100 beautiful willow lanterns, giant puppetry, and a performance by the talented Talvin Singh. It’s going to be a day filled with fun and excitement for the whole family.
The celebrations will take place on Sunday 12 November from 3pm to 9pm on Belgrave Road. The city council has been working with local arts organisation Inspirate to bring new and exciting elements to the event. Thanks to funding support from Arts Council England, they have been able to add some amazing features.
Deputy city mayor for culture, Cllr Adam Clarke, said, “Diwali Day is a special time for many people in Leicester, and we’re expecting even more visitors this year. The event promises to be a feast for all the senses with spectacular light and fire shows, music, and delicious food from the traders on the Golden Mile. You won’t want to miss it!”
Jiten Anand of Inspirate added, “As someone who grew up on Belgrave Road, I’m incredibly excited to see this new version of Diwali come to life. We’ve been working hard to raise the artistic quality of the festival and make it accessible to a new generation of communities in Leicester. Diwali Festival has the potential to become a world-class event, and we’re taking a big leap to make that happen.”
The celebrations will kick off with a joyful parade of lanterns made by local school children and families. The parade will leave from the main stage on Belgrave Road at 5pm. It’s going to be a magical sight to see!
From 5.30pm, you can witness gods and demons from South Asian tales come to life in a family-friendly street theatre show. There will be giant puppetry, martial arts, dance, and storytelling. It’s going to be an epic performance that you won’t want to miss.
But that’s not all! There will also be beautifully decorated mobile rickshaws traveling around Belgrave Road between 5pm and 8pm. Each rickshaw is uniquely designed and wired for sound, so you can dance your way through the Diwali celebrations. How cool is that?
If you’re a music lover, you’re in for a treat. The Diwali truck, located on Belgrave Road, will be playing some amazing tunes throughout the evening. DJ Yumna Black will be spinning his decks and bringing you a blend of contemporary sounds from the East and West. There will also be collaborations with live musicians, so get ready to dance the night away!
Head over to Cossington Street Recreation Ground for a mesmerizing light show. You’ll be amazed by the neon waterfall, the fire garden of glowing structures, and the spectacular laser light show. It’s going to be a visual feast for the eyes. The light show will run from 5pm to 9pm.
Don’t forget to check out the stage of light at the park, where DJ Amrita Kalsi will be keeping the atmosphere alive with modern and old-school bhangra rhythms. It’s going to be a party you won’t want to miss!
And of course, what’s Diwali without fireworks? The grand finale of the evening will be a breathtaking firework display starting at 7.30pm. The skies will light up with a stunning array of colors, accompanied by a soundtrack created by the talented composer and musician Arun Ghosh.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! The stage of light will be headlined by the one and only Talvin Singh. Known for his explosive fusion of Indian and electronic sounds, Talvin is a maestro percussionist, producer, and composer. He’ll keep the festival atmosphere going after the firework display, so get ready to dance and groove to his beats.
Make sure to mark your calendars for this incredible event. The Diwali lights switch-on ceremony will be held on Sunday 29 October, two weeks before the Diwali Day celebrations. You can find more information about both events on the Visit Leicester website.
So, get ready to celebrate Diwali in style. It’s going to be a day filled with joy, music, lights, and delicious food. Don’t miss out on the fun!