Enjoy Diwali celebrations in Northampton this Saturday

Everyone is welcome to join free Diwali celebrations this Saturday, 26th October, with stalls and entertainment on the Market Square from 10am, followed by a magical light parade at dusk.

The Diwali Festival of Lights, organised by the Northampton Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation and supported by Northampton Town Council, West Northamptonshire Council and the Northampton Town BID is now in its 24th year.

The festival starts at 10am on the Market Square, where visitors can enjoy henna painting, saree dressing and stalls, along with cultural food and drink and live stage entertainment from 1 – 8pm.

At 6pm, the enchanting light parade will make its way through the town centre, starting on Dychurch Lane/The Ridings and following a route along St Giles' Terrace, onto St Giles' St and St Giles' Square, down George Row, around All Saints' Church and onto the Market Square. Local school children will showcase magical lanterns that were created for the parade during workshops supported by Northampton College.

Musical performers, community groups and students from the University of Northampton are also set to join large-scale puppets including Harminder the Elephant, Sita, Ram and Hanuman, operated by outdoor arts specialists Route Canal Arts and Rost Productions Ltd.
Neelam Aggarwal-Singh, Chair of the Northampton IHWO said: "The festival of Diwali lights gets bigger and better every year and it's wonderful to see so many partners coming together to make it such a great experience for everyone.

"I am looking forward to welcoming visitors to this special event back on the Market Square and joining the popular Diwali lights parade, which will light up the streets of Northampton town centre. There will also be activities throughout the day, and people can really immerse themselves in this cultural experience."

The packed stage programme, which runs until 8pm, includes a variety of fantastic community performances, along with presentations and speeches from local dignitaries and music from Inspiration FM's Mark Dean.

Cllr Jane Birch, Chair of the Community Services Committee at Northampton Town Council, said: "We are so proud to support the IHWO with this significant and popular festival, which is returning for its 24th year in the town.

"We would encourage everyone to come and enjoy the spectacular parade as well as the many stalls, busy throughout the day, which celebrate our vibrant multicultural community."

Cllr Anna King, Assistant Cabinet Member for Communities at West Northamptonshire Council, added: "We are delighted to support Diwali in Northampton for its 24th year. Diwali in Northampton is a true reflection of the wonderful communities we serve.

"It's a time for celebration and everyone can get involved in this most glorious show of lanterns and lights displayed through the story of Rama and Sita. I do hope you can join us for this magnificent display which will be the first cultural event situated on the newly transformed Market Square.

"Thank you to all the organisers who work tirelessly throughout the year. We are delighted to have Route Canal on board this year to carry out all the school and community workshops and once again bring the spectacular Diwali puppets to life."

For more information, including the full programme and parade route map, visit the Diwali 24th Winter Festival of Lights Facebook page or Northampton Town BIDs website.

Photo taken by Stu Vincent Photography.