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Diwali: Lights of India Illuminates Seattle Center with Music, Dance, and Art
The free, family-oriented event returns to Seattle Center October 18
SEATTLE— Experience the joy and traditions of India at Diwali: Lights of India from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 as part of Seattle Center Festál at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall. This free, family-friendly festival will enchant guests of all ages with vibrant music, dance, visual art, and hands-on activities celebrating Diwali, India’s popular festival, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
Attendees can enjoy a full afternoon of music and dance, from an Indian classical choir from the Swaranjali School of Music to Odissi dance by Urvasi Dance Ensemble and Kathak dance by Anga Kala Kathak Academy. Performances also include folk and semi-classical fusion by Labonyo, devotional songs from the Vedic Cultural Center, Manipuri dance by Movement in Motion, Kerala art forms from the Kerala Association of Washington, a percussion ensemble by the Indian Percussive Arts Center, and lively Maharashtra folk dances in the lavani tradition. The day will conclude with the Temple of Music’s classical violin youth ensemble, led by Grammy Award–winning violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan.
The festival, organized by Northwest Share, will also feature hands-on activities throughout the Armory will invite guests to contribute to the creation of a rangoli flower mandala, try henna and face painting, make flower garlands, explore spice and aromatherapy crafts, and decorate cookies and cupcakes. Visitors can also take part in clay Ganesha modeling, lamp and rock painting, pot walking, and astrology readings, as well as watch demonstrations of fresh roti making.
In addition to the stage performances, festivalgoers can explore upstairs visual art galleries and workshops. Deepti Designs will present Madhubani art, Devika Mehrotra will lead textile block printing demonstrations, Ramya Shankar will host a puppet show and workshop, and Expression Arts will showcase a gallery and workshop.
“As a community, we celebrate Diwali at Seattle Center to share the richness of Indian culture with all of Seattle,” said Latha Sambamurti, festival producer. “We are proud to bring music, dance, art, food, and storytelling together in one joyful afternoon of light and hope.”
This festival is part of the Festál series of 25 cultural festivals presented by community groups and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year.
About Northwest Share
Northwest Share is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Seattle, founded in 2000 to promote arts, culture, tradition, heritage, education, health and humanities. Northwest Share organizes many arts and cultural festivals all around Washington State in partnership with the City of Redmond, One Redmond Foundation, City of Bellevue, City of Issaquah, Festál, Seattle Center, Washington State Parks, Northwest Folklife, etc. The organization also runs a free vegetarian food truck and distributes free food to people.
More information on the Diwali: Lights of India festival is available at seattlecenter.com and nwshare.org.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál is a unique public program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity. These events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of the diversity of our region. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with community groups, presented on weekends from January to November and supported by City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and 4Culture. Festál is also part of the ArtsFund Cultural Partners Network.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of the city. It is home to more than 30 partner organizations—including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, MOPOP, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others—alongside world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events for all ages, centered around the iconic International Fountain.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts & Cultural District, Seattle Center serves as a hub for creative expression, cultural diversity, and civic life. It also manages the City’s new Waterfront Park in partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, delivering cultural programming, operations, and civic care on Seattle’s revitalized downtown waterfront.
In 2025, Seattle Center is projected to generate over $900 million in visitor spending, contribute more than $2 billion in total regional economic impact, and support more than 18,600 jobs. With the support of our Official Partners—Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank— Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest. www.seattlecenter.com
