Auckland isn’t hosting its usual two-day Diwali event format for 2020. Across seven sites in the Auckland region, instead, over 100 activities and experiences will take place to celebrate one of the most popular festivals in Hinduism.
From movie nights to cooking classes, henna tattoo sessions to “Bollyrobix”, you can get a taste of colourful Indian culture between 27 October and 14 November, with the majority of events taking place this weekend (31 Oct – 1 Nov), and the weekend of 6-8 November.
Photo: ATEED
Diwali is the festival of lights, and to ensure that is commemorated Auckland’s landmarks will also be lighting up in celebration of Diwali, including a Rangoli-inspired show by Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the new format of Diwali for 2020 represents a cautious approach to public events in the pandemic era. "The Diwali festival is much loved by Aucklanders and important to our diverse communities," he says. "While Covid-19 precautions mean that this year the festival won’t feature the traditional gathering in Aotea Square, the more than 100 events across the region will provide ample opportunity to celebrate the festival of lights with friends and family, while ensuring that everyone stays safe.”
The Auckland Diwali Festival is delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) in collaboration with Auckland Council, with founding partner Asia New Zealand Foundation and major partner Harcourts. ATEED Head of Major Events Richard Clarke says this year’s festival provide more ways for Aucklanders to enjoy this age-old Indian celebration.
“While this year’s festival will be different, it offers exciting new ways to enjoy Diwali Festival and showcase Auckland’s vibrant Indian communities,” says Clarke. “This year the programme is much more focused on sharing knowledge through cooking, dance and craft workshops and engaging in important discussions, as well as simply enjoying films, dance and music.”
What’s on in Auckland for Diwali 2020
Auckland Central
Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland CBD
Friday 30 October
9am - 12pm Rangoli Chalk It Up artists
10am - 5pm Harcourts House of Rangoli: Kids Rangoli & colouring competition
10am - 5pm DIY Henna designs
10am - 5pm Learn how to wear a Saree and try one on
10am - 12pm Friendship bracelet and anklet making by Papaya Stories
12pm - 1pm Bollywood dance workshop for all ages with Khottey Sikkey
1 pm- 2pm Bollyrobix
1pm - 2pm Introduction to classical music with Sargam School of Music
2pm - 4pm Cooking Class
4pm - 9pm Chai tea & Diwali sweets
6:30pm - 7:30pm Panel discussion: Women Empowerment
8:30pm - 10pm ASB Presents: The Lunchbox
Photo: ATEED
Parnell
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Domain, Parnell
Sunday 8 November
6:30pm - 7:30pm Panel Discussion: Comfortable Being Indian
Mt Roskill
Wesley Community Centre, 740 Sandringham Road Extn, Mt Roskill
Saturday 7 November
10am - 11am Sitdown choreography for all ages and abilities with Khottey Sikkey
10am - 1pm Make a diya lamp with The ReCreators
10:30am - 11:30am Introduction to classical music with Sargam School of Music
11am - 12pm Bollywood dance workshop by Aaja Nachle
11am - 12pm Kirtan music set by Part and Parcel
12pm - 1pm Mindfulness workshop with kirtan by Meditation NZ
1pm - 5pm Mask making workshop with Prayas Theatre
1pm - 5pm Harcourts House of Rangoli: Kids Rangoli & colouring competition
1pm - 2pm Bollyrobix
1:30pm - 3pm Garba workshop for beginners with Sonal Bhavsar-Joshi
2pm - 3pm Deepawali story telling and performance with Nepalese Cultural Centre NZ
2pm - 4pm Cooking demonstration by Wise Collective
3pm - 5pm Silent story-telling by Papaya Stories
3pm - 4pm Bollywood dance basics with Raul and Rian
4pm - 5pm Bhangra fusion workshop with Garagewalas
5pm - 6pm Advanced Bollywood dance class for all ages with Indiance
6pm - 10pm Experience India
8:15pm - 8:30pm Pre-film entertainment
8:30pm - 10pm ASB Presents: Life of Pi
Avondale
Avondale Community Centre, 99 Rosebank Road, Avondale
Saturday 31 October
12pm - 1pm Belly Dance for Beginners with Phoenix
12pm - 2pm Kids Rangoli & colouring competition
12pm - 4pm Papaya Stories Bracelet and Anklet making
1pm - 6pm Snakes and Ladders interactive game
2pm - 3pm Urban desi hip-hop dance workshop with The Disciples
2pm - 4pm Make a diya lamp with The ReCreators
3pm- 4pm Modern classical fusion dance workshop with A Touch of Bollywood
5pm - 6pm Bollywood dance workshop for all ages with Khottey Sikkey
5pm - 7pm Cooking Class
5:30pm - 7:30pm Feed the Streets
6pm - 7pm Kirtan music set by Part and Parcel
8pm - 10pm ASB Presents: Million Dollar Arm
Photo: ATEED
Warkworth
Warkworth Town Hall, 2 Alnwick Street, Warkworth
Friday 30 October
10am - 5pm Kids Rangoli & colouring competition
10am - 5pm DIY Henna designs
10am - 5pm Learn how to wear a Saree and try one on
10am - 5pm Try some chai station
5pm - 6pm Introduction to classical music with Sargam School of Music
7pm - 10pm ASB Presents: Lion
Glen Innes
Te Oro, 98 Line Road, Glen Innes
Saturday 31 October
10am - 8pm Art Exhibition by Shruti Yatri
10am - 2pm Spice Market by Spice Land
10am - 11am Sound Meditation by Papaya Stories
10am - 11am Classical fusion dance for beginners by Sanskriti
11am- 12pm Sri Lankan dance workshop by NZSL Studio
1pm - 2pm Learn to make traditional sweets: Rava Appam
1pm - 5pm Harcourts House of Rangoli: Kids Rangoli & colouring competition
2pm - 3pm Learn how to make traditional snacks: Carrot Halwa
2pm - 3pm Bollywood dance basics with Raul and Rian
3pm - 4pm Learn to make Bhel Puri - Bombay street food
4pm - 5pm Learn to make Lemon Rice and Pakora
3pm - 4pm Introduction to classical music with Sargam School of Music
3pm - 4pm Bhangra fusion workshop with Garagewalas
4pm - 5pm BollyGarba fusion workshop with Desibeat
4pm - 8pm Outdoor DJ
6:30pm - 7:30pm Panel discussion: Modern Day Arranged Marriages
8pm - 8:30pm Pre-film entertainment
8:30pm - 10pm ASB Presents: Bride & Prejudice
Manurewa
Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa
Saturday 7 November
11am - 2pm Make a diya lamp with The ReCreators
4pm - 5pm Meditation by Papaya Stories
6:30pm - 9pm Classical Showcase
Papatoetoe
Papatoetoe Town Hall, 31 Saint George Street, Papatoetoe
Friday 6 November
10am - 5pm DIY Henna designs
10am - 5pm Learn how to wear a Saree and try one on
10am - 5pm Harcourts House of Rangoli: Kids Rangoli & colouring competition
1pm - 2pm BollyBhangra beginners workshop for ladies with Desibeat
2pm - 3pm Giddha workshop for Seniors
3pm - 4pm Bollywood dance workshop for all ages with Khottey Sikkey
3pm - 4pm Silent story-telling by Papaya Stories
5pm - 8pm DJ + Sweets
7pm - 8pm Bollywood Party feat Shortland Street
8:30pm - 10pm ASB Presents: Yesterday
You'll also find events at other venues across Auckland. View the full programme here.
- Asia Media Centre
