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Diwali Celebration 2022

Sunday, November 6
10am–4pm
Free admission all day (Free First Sunday)

Celebrate the traditional fall Indian “Festival of Lights” with the India Society of Worcester on WAM's Free First Sunday! Diwali gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. Join us for a full day of Indian dance, music, food, and art making!

View schedule

Dancers in traditional Indian costume during a performance in the Renaissance Court at WAM

Schedule

  • ISW Welcome and Diwali Lamp Lighting
    11am, Renaissance Court
    Get ready to be immersed in a lively rhythmic musical experience! This year's program will be kicked off by ISW Symphony's Dhol Tasha team that will have you all dancing to its drumbeats! This is followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp to symbolize the victory of light over darkness.
  • Diwali Cultural Programming with Dance and Music
    11:20am-1:15pm, Renaissance Court
    The Indian Society of Worcester presents a full line-up of traditional, modern, and contemporary Indian performances in the Museum's grand Renaissance Court.
  • Story Time with the Indian Society of Worcester (ISW)
    11:30am, 2:30pm, Nook in Education Wing (HEW)
    Hear the epic tale of the Ramayana: of good overcoming evil, light over darkness, and knowledge triumphing over ignorance.
  • Bawarchi Biryanis: Authentic Treats Available for Purchase
    11:30am-3pm, Museum Café
    The popular Bawarchi Biryanis restaurant of Framingham will provide traditional Indian cuisine available for purchase.
  • Henna by Meghna
    11am-3pm, Hoche Conference Room
    See how a mehndi artist works and receive your own henna.
  • Docent Tour of Indian Art
    1pm, Meet in Lancaster Lobby
    Special docent-led tour focused on India connections.
  • Fashion Show: “Wedding Saree   A Cultural Heritage of India”
    2-2:45pm, Renaissance Court
    Get a close-up view of the vibrancy and color of India's traditional wedding garments in this Diwali cultural and fashion show.
  • Studio Art Activities
    11am-3pm, Studios 101 & 102, Higgins Education Wing
    Check out Studio 101 to learn how to draw henna patterns for a paper hand. In Studio 102, learn about Madhubani Art Coasters and try your hand at this type of Indian folk art from Mithila, a region in the state of Bihar, northern India.
Representatives of the India Society of Worcester celebrate Diwali at WAM in 2017 A group of Indian girls and boys dance energetically in the Renaissance Court Three girls sit cross-legged, singing together A dance group stand together in brightly-colored blue and yellow traditional Indian dress Two seated girls in traditional Indian dress smile at each other while performing A group of four Indian women dance in orange sarees A view of the Renaissance Court with Indian women dancing in the foreground A girl makes Rangoli sand art while another looks on A man laughs as his young son stands excitedly while making Rangoli sand art Four hands placed together showing example henna designs

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55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609
(+1) 508.799.4406

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Wednesday – Sunday, 10am-4pm

For Monday holiday hours and Shop hours, see Hours and Admission.

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