The Auckland Diwali Festival is one of New Zealand's largest free multicultural events and the biggest celebration of the Indian Festival of Lights outside of India in the Southern Hemisphere. Held annually in Aotea Square in the heart of Auckland city, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors over its weekend run with vibrant performances, traditional food, market stalls, dance, music and the spectacular lighting of diyas that gives the festival of lights its name.
The event is a reflection of Auckland's large and thriving Indian community, which has contributed enormously to the cultural, economic and social life of the city. Across the festival, visitors can experience classical Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam and Kathak alongside Bollywood performances, browse stalls selling traditional crafts, jewellery and clothing, and sample an extraordinary range of Indian cuisine from across the subcontinent's diverse regional traditions.
Free to attend and genuinely welcoming to all, the Auckland Diwali Festival is one of the most joyful and colourful events on the city's calendar. For anyone who has not experienced Diwali before, it is a beautiful introduction — a celebration of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair that resonates far beyond any single culture or community.