Every year around October and November, families, friends and communities across the UK come together to celebrate Diwali - the five-day "Festival of Lights". Originating in India and celebrated across the world by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, it is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
The joyous occasion sees the use of lights, oil lamps, candles and decorative clothes, as well as fireworks lighting up the skies across the UK, and families come together to enjoy large feasts and exchange gifts. Although the date changes every year, this year it takes place on October 24, but celebrations have already begun and are expected to last the whole week.
Those celebrating in Manchester will decorate their homes, pray, give gifts, feast and eat sweets - and there's a number of Diwali events taking place across the city and further afield. See our list below on how you can celebrate Diwali in Greater Manchester.
Read more: Diwali 2022: When is it and who celebrates it?
Digital Diwali
Supported by Arts Council England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Digital Diwali is live video stream and radio broadcast programme of Indian classical, contemporary music and dance, storytelling, interactive workshops, and a fiery spectacle from the Ramayana.
Streaming across Greater Manchester, the event is delivered in partnership with Bolton Hindu Forum, Indian Association Oldham, Shree Bharatiya Mandal (Tameside), The Met (Bury) and, Salford-based Walk the Plank. It will feature around 30 performances from 50 musicians, dancers and art facilitators and will include Zoom dance and music workshops, Carnatic (classical south Indian) vocal music and morning and evening Raaga concerts. It starts tonight (Monday, October 24), from 6pm.
Half Term Diwali Themed Activities at Droylsden Library
Aimed at children aged 4-11, today's (Monday, October 24) event will celebrate the Diwali Festival of Lights with crafts, games and a Diwali-themed treasure hunt. The event is a drop in so there's no need to book. It starts at 10.30 and runs for an hour.
Bollywood Dance Workshop
Taking place on Friday, 28 October at The Met performing arts centre in Bury, this free family workshop will introduce participants to the styles and flavours of Bollywood. Known for it’s upbeat and energetic style, Bollywood dance is a great blend of Indian culture and art, and the workshop will offer and insight into the classical dance forms and highlight the high energy folk dances of Bhangra and Garba.
Led by professional Bollywood dancer, teacher and choreographer Sharmista B, the two-hour session will serve as an introduction, covering the basic steps to create a short routine to share at a Diwali parade on Sunday, October 30. This workshop is open to any age, but under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be booked here.
Lantern Making Workshop
As part of the parade in Bury town centre at the end of the week, The Met will be hosting a free workshop to help families build their own lantern to display on the parade. There are two workshops on Saturday, October 29, one at 10am-12 and 1-3pm. Workshops are free to attend but visitors are advised to book a place and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Diwali Parade
Taking place at 6.30pm on Sunday, October 30, lanterns, dancers and large-scale puppets will head from the Robert Peel Statue, through The Rock and back again in this joyful, inclusive community minded event. Everyone is welcome and visitors can choose to line the streets and watch the parade as it passes through Bury or come and make a lantern, or even join the procession.
The Indian Are Coming: Diwali Dhamaka at Frog & Bucket
Bringing some of the circuit's funniest acts for an evening of fun and belly laughs, the night will see a brilliant comic lineup take to the stage including Preet Singh, Raj Poojara, Anuvab Pal and Sukh Ojla. Brought to the stage by LuvEntertainment, The night prides itself on championing comedians who appeal to comedy lovers all all backgrounds. Tickets are priced at £19.99 and can be bought here.
Bollywood Brass Band
The UK's pioneering Indian-style brass band will be playing the great tunes and danceable rhythms of Bollywood this Sunday, with the sounds of brass, saxophone, dhol drums and sousaphone at The Met. Twice nominated for Songlines World Music Awards, the band has performed all over the world and now graces the Derby Hall in Bury.
The performance takes place at 8pm on Sunday, October 30. Tickets start at £15 and can be purchased here.
Read next:
- Exciting things to do in Greater Manchester this Autumn
- The festive lights events you can book now across Greater Manchester and Cheshire
- One of Manchester's oldest halls has reopened - six years after devastating attack
- UK's biggest outdoor and indoor heated Winter Festival returning to Manchester
- First look as Jason Manford transforms for Manchester panto debut
