MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of AAPI New Jersey. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
AAPI New Jersey is proud to announce the return of Light Up Diwali to the Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Ave, Montclair, New Jersey) on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 2:00-6:00pm (rain date: Sunday, October 18). Drawing more than 2,000 attendees in past years, the celebration brings together South Asian music, dance, food, art, and community traditions for an afternoon of culture and connection.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the triumph of light over darkness and is a time to gather and celebrate new beginnings. The afternoon will feature live music and dance performances,
Diwali-themed crafts, a photo booth, local vendors, and food trucks offering sweet and savory bites. Ticket holders can also explore the museum's galleries at no additional cost.
New this year, Passage to India is a locally-sourced exhibition bringing together art and heirlooms generously contributed by members of the community. Featuring pieces that reflect the diversity of India's regions, artistic traditions, and personal histories, the exhibition weaves many individual journeys to tell a larger story of people's connection to India and to one another.
To kick off the celebration, we are honored to welcome Montclair Mayor Dr. Renee Baskerville and other special guests to lead a traditional diya lighting ceremony. The program will then come alive with professional and community performances showcasing a variety of Indian dance and music traditions.
Professional performers include Radhika Samson, presenting Odissi, a classical dance tradition from the eastern Indian state of Odisha; Meher Vig, bringing powerful rhythms and dynamic energy through the dhol and tabla; Keshav & Priya Dance Duo, performing a modern fusion of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathak; and Indus Groove, a five-piece Indian fusion band blending vocals, guitars, keys, bass, and drums. Performances by Kulture Kool Dance School and local youth and community groups, including Hillside Elementary Schools' Drums of Thunder, will round out the program with Bollywood, modern, folk, and semi-classical dance.
AAPI New Jersey is proud to present this joyful, vibrant opportunity for people of all backgrounds to experience the traditions of Diwali while celebrating the many cultures and communities that make up New Jersey's South Asian diaspora. We are grateful to our Light Up Diwali sponsors for helping to make this year's celebration possible:
The Liz + Vikram Team at Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty, Atlantic Health System, Montclair Center BID, Jellyman Media LLC, Tacoria, and Little Sprouts Pediatric Dentistry.
Tickets are on sale now! General admission is $7 for individuals and $25 for families (limit to 5 attendees per family). Children under the age of 5 are free. Fee waivers are available for anyone with need.
For more information, visit https://aapinewjersey.org/events/light-up-diwali-2026/
About AAPI New Jersey
AAPI New Jersey activates the power of our state's 1.1 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to fight for a future where all of us have the freedom to thrive. Since its founding in 2021, AAPI New Jersey has become a national model for how AAPIs can join together to celebrate who we are and plant the seeds for generational change—in our communities, in our schools, and in halls of power. Learn more at aapinewjersey.org.
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