Lantern parade celebrates Diwali – the Festival of Light
An open invitation has gone out to residents and visitors as Darlington prepares to host a special lantern parade to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light.
Diwali is a key festival within the Hindu community and is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains worldwide. At this time of year people display lanterns to welcome people and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, into their homes and businesses. The festival celebrates light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance; there is much feasting and celebration, including the buying and exchanging of gifts.
On Saturday 26 October, there will be a range of activities and crafts throughout the day, 11am until 4pm, followed by a parade through the town centre and a celebration of dance, music and food.
Meet in Northgate, near Boots, at 4.30pm for the start of the parade. Make a lantern during the day or bring your own, wear your colourful and sparkly clothes ready to join in the celebrations. Punjabi Roots will lead the parade with Dhol drummers and dancers while Babuls restaurant will have live Bollywood DJ music along the route. (Please note – no live flame lanterns will be released into the air; all our lanterns will use LED candles/lights)
The parade will come to an end at the Market Hall where there will be performances by the Bollywood dancers of Navrang Arts and celebrations with the Indian Cultural Society, thanks to support from Cummins UK.
There’s also a host of other activities around the town including Queen Street Shopping Centre, 11am-4pm, where you can visit the Diwali light arch and selfie throne, take part in a beautiful Diwali print activity to make a lantern with The Littlest Falcon; decorate illuminated lamps for the procession with Shirley Wells and join Miss Print to create an Indian inspired piece to decorate and display.
At the Cornmill Shopping Centre, 11am-3pm, Yvonne Preston will be bringing the Scrapstore Studio where you can help make an uncycled inspired creation to use in the parade; while the Crooked Halo will be creating Mandala colouring art in Darlington Building Society on High Row and there will be Diwali craft activities in Newcastle Building Society.
The Dolphin Centre will be hosting Bollywood Dance Workshop 30 minutes taster sessions, with the Bollywood dancers of Navrang Arts. Places are free but will need to be booked in advance – a link will be added to the what’s on page on Enjoy Darlington soon (see below).
Darlington Library will be offering Diwali printing activities, using stencils to create bright and colourful artwork between 10am and noon. The session is free and recommended for ages 3-10, no need to book but places are limited.
At Theatre Hullabaloo there will be a Diya and Rangoli Family Workshop where children (ages 7+) and their grown-ups can create their own Diya lamps and pretty Rangoli patterns. Tickets are £3 and need to be booked in advance.
The theatre is also hosting a Diwali Sound Bath, a free drop-in activity where you can enjoy being ‘bathed’ in sound waves, music and stories. Visit the theatre’s website at www.theatrehullabaloo.org.uk/shows for more details and how to book for the workshop.
Councillor Libby McCollom, the council's cabinet member for local services, said: “Last year’s event proved very popular, and we’re delighted to once again welcome members of the Hindu and other communities as we come together to celebrate the Festival of Light.
“For Hindus, Diwali is the start of the new business year, and many people say prayers to the goddess for a successful year. Darlington’s local economy is going from strength to strength and this celebration is a great way to highlight the wide range of shops, retail and other businesses in the town.
"The town is a safe and welcoming place for people of all ages, cultures and lifestyles and this is one of many events which help to strengthen and bond our local community.”
For more information and to find out about other upcoming events visit www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/whats-on and to find out more about Theatre Hullabaloo events and how to book visit www.theatrehullabaloo.org.uk/shows.
Photo taken at start of last year's Diwali lantern parade.