Edinburgh Diwali will begin on 23 October with a lighting up ceremony in Castle Street when the lantern display and the Diwali sign will both be switched on.
These lights will be in place on Castle Street until the Diwali Parade led by the Lord Provost marches through the streets culminating in a celebration of theatre, dance and music in Princes Street Gardens. All events are open to all and what’s more they are free.
New for 2019, Edinburgh Diwali has partnered with Lightopia to create a display of Chinese lanterns in Castle Street from Wednesday 23 October 2019. Featuring a large Diwali God, Angel Wings and a dynamic dance floor, Castle Street comes to life each evening from Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 October from 5.00pm to 7.00pm with music and performances including Philippine Folk Dancing, African Drumming, Belly Dancing and Cuban Salsa Dancing – all free to enjoy. Food stalls are open daily from noon to 10.00pm.
Lord Provost Frank Ross, patron of Edinburgh Diwali, said “Yet again, Diwali will light up the city with a dazzling parade and festival of lights, dance and music. It’s one of the most spectacular events on Edinburgh’s calendar and is truly inclusive, providing free family fun and celebrating the city’s many multi-cultural communities. Don’t miss our most diverse programme yet!”
The Festival of Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists around the world, each religion marking different historical events and legends, however all represent the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair.
Edinburgh Diwali has been organised for the last five years by a dedicated team of volunteers, headed by Mohindra Dhall, MBE, who said, “Diwali is the celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and so many cultures around the world mark this as we go into the dark nights of winter. With such a wide programme of performances and entertainment from many cultures, this year Edinburgh Diwali is making a huge effort to bring communities together. This is truly an event for everyone – so come and celebrate with us.”
The timetable for activities this week :
Wednesday 23 October 2019 5.00pm Edinburgh Diwali and Lightopia lantern display is switched on. Performances run from 5.00pm to 7.00pm each evening on Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October.
Saturday 26 October 2019 There will be cultural performances outside the City Chambers on the Royal Mile on Saturday 26 October at 1.30pm and at 2.30pm Edinburgh Diwali Parade leaves the City Chambers. Dancers from the Edinburgh Bhangra Crew, Bhartiya Ashram and Edinburgh Dandiya will be joined by Cuban Salsa Dancers and pipe bands from The Scottish Regiment, Glencorse and Stockbridge as well as representatives from the Riding of the Marches will be part of the procession. Three floats of the Hindu Gods Ganesha, Hanuman and Shiva will be followed by the horse-drawn chariot of Lord Rama proceeding to his coronation.
The parade will process to Castle Street where there will be music and performances.
4.00pm The parade moves to the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens where there will be theatre music and dance.
Firework display at 7.30pm.
This promises to be the most culturally diverse programme of both events and performers.
The South Asian festival is celebrated all over the world, and will involve light, music, dance and food in Edinburgh.
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