9 places to celebrate Diwali in Metro Vancouver

The 12th Annual Diwali Fest is taking over Metro Vancouver this month, and there is more than one way to celebrate.

Hailing from India, Diwali is the biggest and most popular annual event in South Asia. Meaning ‘the Festival of Lights’, Diwali signifies the power of light over darkness in the Hindu religion and traditionally includes the lighting of small oil lamps in rows around temples and homes.

Here in Vancouver, our large South Asian community has transformed Diwali into a local event to celebrate the heritage of the some 250,000 Indo-Canadians living here. The annual Diwali Fest is the ultimate celebration in the city, and from culture to great food here are nine great events to check it out in 2015:

Cooking Demonstrations

What: Chef, Raj Thandh leads participants through a tour of Indian cuisine for the Diwali Fest Cooking Demonstrations. There’s no word yet about what’s on the menu, but if someone says ‘Indian food’, you know it’s going to be good.
Where: Yaletown Roundhouse – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
When: Tuesday, November 3; 6 p.m.

Nirbhaya

What: A play produced in partnership with The Cultch, described by organizers as: “On December 16, 2012, a young woman boarded a bus in Delhi heading for home. What followed changed countless lives forever. Internationally acclaimed playwright and director, Yaël Farber (Mies Julie), has created a searing new work that cracks open the cone of silence around women whose lives have been shattered by violence.”
Where: York Theatre – 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
When: November 3 to 14; 8 p.m.

Diwali at the Library

What: Lunchtime music and dance comes to the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch for free this week.
Where: Vancouver Public Library Central Branch – 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, November 4; noon

Workshop: Renfrew Park

What: Workshops for Diwali take place at various community centres across Metro Vancouver and feature instructions on how to learn rangoli design, diya lamp painting, Bollywood dancing, sari wrapping, rangoli, and mehndi hand painting.
Where: Renfrew Park – 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver
When: Saturday, November 7; 1 p.m.

Diwali Downtown Vancouver

What: The festival’s main event, Diwali in Downtown Vancouver will take over the Yaletown Roundhouse on Saturday for over 15 different music and dance performances, an Indian bazaar featuring South Asian crafts and food, a room-sized rangoli and more.
Where: Yaletown Roundhouse – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
When: Saturday, November 7; 2 p.m.

Workshop: Rangoli Making

What: Workshops for Diwali take place at various community centres across Metro Vancouver and feature instructions on how to learn rangoli design, diya lamp painting, Bollywood dancing, sari wrapping, rangoli, and mehndi hand painting.
Where: Richmond Arts Centre – 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
When: Thursday, November 12; 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Diwali Downtown Surrey

What: Downtown Surrey will feature Diwali’s landmark event, Diwali Downtown, this year. The event, similar to Diwali Downtown Vancouver, will feature culturally-rich programming with interactive and multicultural performances.
Where: Centre Stage at City Hall – 13450-104 Avenue, Surrey
When: Saturday, November 14; 3 to 7 p.m.

Workshop: Trout Lake Community Centre

What: Workshops for Diwali take place at various community centres across Metro Vancouver and feature instructions on how to learn rangoli design, diya lamp painting, Bollywood dancing, sari wrapping, rangoli, and mehndi hand painting.
Where: Trout Lake Community Centre – 3360 Victoria Dr, Vancouver
When: Sunday, November 15; 12:30 p.m.

Cooking Demonstrations

What: A chef will lead participants through a tour of Indian cuisine for the Diwali Fest Cooking Demonstrations. There’s no word yet about what’s on the menu, but if someone says ‘Indian food’, you know it’s going to be good.
Where: Yaletown Roundhouse – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
When: Sunday, November 15; all day

Vancity Buzz is a proud sponsor of Diwali Fest