Montclair Event: ‘Light Up Diwali’ Celebration Is Returning For 2024

MONTCLAIR, NJ — An annual “Light Up Diwali” celebration will return to Montclair for 2024.

AAPI New Jersey’s annual fall cultural celebration will take place at the Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 (with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 20).

Organizers said the event will honor the diverse cultural traditions of the South Asian diaspora. Here’s what to expect:

“Diwali, the festival of lights, commemorates a triumph of light over darkness and is a time for all to gather and celebrate new beginnings. Spend a magical afternoon enjoying music and dance performances, trying your hand at kid-friendly crafts, and capturing special moments in our photo booth or with our crowd-favorite prop—the auto rickshaw. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about South Asian NGOs, peruse an exhibition of traditional handmade South Asian textiles, browse one-of-a-kind goods from local vendors, and indulge in sweet and savory bites from an array of food trucks. The museum’s galleries will also be open to explore with the price of admission. We are honored to be joined by Senator Vin Gopal and community organizer Dr. Arati Kreibich for the diya lighting and welcome remarks. This year’s program also will feature three new mainstage acts: award-winning Indo-American jazz composer and pianist Charu Suri, traditional Kuchipudi dancer Ashwin Kumar, and our first ever Bhangra dance troupe, RuBhangra from Rutgers University. Children are invited to create their own Diwali-themed keepsakes and contribute to communal art projects at a variety of craft stations. Gita Varadarajan, acclaimed author of Save Me a Seat, My Bindi, and My Saree will also be joining us for a special book reading.”

Tickets are on sale now. General admission is $8 for individuals and $28 for families (limit to 5 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.

Learn more about this local event here.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.