Diwali Festival 2026
Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, at the HRM! Observed by millions of people in India and around the world, Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The festival takes its name from the rows of clay lamps, or diyas, traditionally lit in and around homes.
Make your own diya to take home, create colorful patterns with rangoli, the traditional Indian folk art of welcome, learn to drape a sari, get a henna design, and more. Enjoy classical Indian music and interactive dance performances, and learn some Bollywood moves yourself. A selection of traditional Indian fare from Masala Kraft Cafe and Curry N Wok will be available for purchase.
Presented in partnership with the Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester (IACAW) and the IACAW Youth Group.
All workshops and performances are free with general admission. Planetarium shows are ticketed separately. Please note that library and other free passes are not valid for this event.
Schedule
- 11am — Echoes of Light: A Diwali Musical Journey with Rohan Roots
- 11:30am — Planetarium Show: Little Skywatchers
- 12–4pm — Family Art Workshop: Mehndi Magic (Henna Designs)
- 12–4pm — Family Art Workshop: Light Your Way (Paint Your Own Diya)
- 12–4pm — Family Art Workshop: Patterns of Welcome (The Art of Rangoli)
- 12–4pm — Sari Draping Workshop: Six Yards of Style
- 12–4pm — Family Art Workshop: Lights, Diyas, and Rangoli for Ages 2–5
- 12:30pm — Planetarium Show: Four Tales of the Sky
- 12:30pm — Sitar Opening Performance by Keshar Borse and Welcome
- 1pm — Museum Highlights Tour
- 1pm — Bollywood Performance and Interactive Workshop
- 2pm — Indian Classical Dance: Kathak
- 2pm — Planetarium Show: The Sky Tonight
- 3pm — Indian Classical Dance: Bharatanatyam
- 3pm — Museum Highlights Tour
- 3:30pm — Planetarium Show: Four Tales of the Sky
- 4pm — Indian Classical Music
With gratitude, we recognize our generous sponsors for helping make our Diwali Festival of Lights celebration possible.
Generous support for this program is provided by New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader.
Festival of Lights Sponsors
Anshuman Goyal and Shilpi Chandra
Marigold Sponsors
Orange Bank
CMIT Solutions of White Plains
Naju and Rowena Mancheril
Additional support is provided by Brian and Eugenie Rosenthal and Ela Sha.
Sponsorships from $500 to $5,000
