This is How to Celebrate Diwali with Kids this Year
15 ways to learn about and celebrate Diwali in 2021, including Diwali events for kids in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island.
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Illumination 2021 - Tamaso Ma Yotirgamaya
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 6, 1-4pm
WHERE: Chhandayan Center for Indian Music, 4 W. 43rd St., Midtown West
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Diwali with music, dance, and food. This program will be dedicated to dispelling darkness and will also pay homage to lost souls and celebrate their legacy, particularly from the field of Indian Music.
WANT TO GO? $25-$65. Advanced registration required.
Diwali Events for Kids in Brooklyn
2021 Brooklyn Diwali-Garba Celebration
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 24, 3-6pm
WHERE: Prospect Park, 95 Prospect Park W., South Slope
AGES: All
WHAT: Families of all backgrounds are invited to attend this fun afternoon of music, traditional South Asian dance, and crafts to celebrate the festive season! The event will include playing dandiya (raas) and garba, Diwali arts and crafts for kids, and a special lighting of diyas at the end. There will be some dandiyas on-site to lend but bring your own if you can! Please feel free to have fun and wear a cultural dress or something easy to dance in.
WANT TO GO? $20 per family. Advanced registration required. Please bring your own water bottles to help keep this a zero waste event. This is a nonprofit program, with any proceeds donated to People In Need.
Diwali Events for Kids in Queens
Diwali Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 6, 11am-1pm or 2-4pm
WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Diwali with this socially distanced festival and dance party, featuring Kathak classical dancer Abha Roy and Basement Bhangra's DJ Rekha. Learn Bollywood, bhangra, and Kathak dance moves with Abha and Rekha, the art of rangoli design with Anju Gupta, explore Indian cooking with Queens Curry Kitchen, and more. Abha Roy, master teaching artist and artistic director of the Srijan Dance Company, will be joined on stage by Angela Rostick and Ling Tang who will "trade steps" in a cross-cultural dance conversation of kathak footwork, American tap, and Chinese Tibetan tap dance. Flushing Town Hall will present the artwork of the winners of its first-ever Rangoli Design competition.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children. Advanced registration required.
Diwali Events for Kids in Westchester
Diwali Crafts & Story Night
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29, 6-7:30pm
WHERE: A Maze in Pottery, 76 N. State Road, Briarcliff Manor
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Paint a diya (a traditional Diwali light holder), create Diwali decorations for your house, and read a story about the Festival of Lights!
WANT TO GO? $29.90. Advanced registration required.
FREE Diwali – The Festival of Lights Family Program
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 4, 4:30pm
WHERE: Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Learn about Diwali with stories, crafts, music, and sweets!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.
FREE Diwali: The Festival of Lights
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14, 1:30-4pm
WHERE: Ferguson Library, DiMattia Building, 1 Public Library Plaza, Stamford, CT
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Diwali: Festival of Lights with traditional music, dance, and a rangoli exhibition. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and is one of the most important holidays in India.
WANT TO GO? Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.
Diwali Events for Kids in Long Island
FREE Children's Program: Diwali Celebration
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 7pm
WHERE: Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown
AGES: kindergarten-fifth grades
WHAT: Join the library to celebrate Diwali with fun stories, a Henna demonstration, and a diya craft.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.
FREE Diwali Festival of Lights Celebration
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 5, 4:30pm
WHERE: Marcus Christ Hall, 1420 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park
AGES: All
WHAT: The entire community is invited to celebrate and learn the history of Diwali. Enjoy cultural performances and activities for all!
WANT TO GO? Email [email protected] with any questions.
FREE Diwali (The Festival of Lights) Dance Celebration & Workshop
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 7, 2-3pm
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 E. Main St., Patchogue
AGES: All
WHAT: Learn about the significance of Diwali and the different ways in which people celebrate during this interactive, celebratory Bollywood & Bhangra dance workshop presented by Ajna Dance Company.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.
FREE Festival of Lights
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 12, 4-4:45pm
WHERE: Seaford Public Library, 2234 Jackson Ave., Seaford
AGES: first-fifth grades
WHAT: Explore the history and traditions of Diwali. Find out how it is celebrated and how you can take part in its magical festivities. Presented by Umika.
WANT TO GO? Registration for Seaford school district residents begins Friday, Oct. 29 at 10am. Nonresidents can register starting Saturday, Oct. 30 at 10am.
Here at NYMetroParents, we've got everything you need to have a safe, fun, and festive fall and Halloween season. Whether it is pumpkin or apple picking, getting lost in a corn maze, making Halloween crafts or finding costumes and decorations, we're here to help.