‘Light Up Montclair’: Diwali Celebration Returning For 2023

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of AAPI Montclair. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

AAPI Montclair welcomes the greater Montclair community to join us for a month of Diwali festivities this fall.

Montclair Center BID joins us in kicking off the festival season with “Light Up Downtown,” a joyful lamp lighting event on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Park Street and Bloomfield Avenue. Ceremonial lamps will be lit by Montclair Center BID officials and AAPI Montclair President Amber Reed, followed by a short dance program and fresh, warm jalebis served by Brick Lane Curry House. The holiday lights and banners will be on display for an entire month to herald the Diwali season. This historic precedent emphasizes Montclair’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Your family can be a part of this wonderful tribute by sponsoring a Diwali banner.

The celebration continues on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a special evening of Dandiya Raas and Garba—folk dances from the state of Gujarat, India. Attendees will enjoy an evening of live dance instruction, singing by Anuja Wala and dinner at the Glen Ridge Women’s Club located at 219 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, New Jersey. We would like to thank our event supporters Brick Lane Curry House Montclair, Kulture Kool and DJ Ritters.

The following weekend on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m., our marquee fall event “Light Up Montclair''—the town’s annual Diwali/Deepavali celebration—returns to Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue). This vibrant gathering, hosted by AAPI Montclair at the Montclair Art Museum (MAM), honors the diverse cultural traditions of the South Asian diaspora.

Spend the afternoon at the Montclair Art Museum enjoying live performances, interactive arts and crafts, learning about South Asian NGOS and Indian textiles, hearing from South Asian authors and delighting in sweet and savory bites from food trucks. With your ticket you'll also get an opportunity to explore the galleries at the museum. (Rain Date: Oct. 22).

We are so appreciative of our Light Up Montclair sponsors for helping to make this celebration possible: Silver sponsors Marigold Academy, Puneeta Kalra/Reliant Abstract/NJ Lenders, and Montclair Center BID; Bronze sponsor Coldwell Banker Realty Montclair, and Autorickshaw sponsor ENT and Allergy Associates.

Tickets are on sale now. General admission is $8 for individuals and $28 for families (limit to five attendees per family). Children under the age of 5 are free. Fee waivers are available for anyone with need. This event is free to MAM members.

For more information, visit https://aapimontclair.org/light-up-montclair.

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