Your list is empty.

Save musicians, entertainers, speakers, and services, and they’ll appear here.

Free Quick Quote

Diwali Celebration Ideas

Entertainment Options:

Asian Entertainment Belly Dancer Bollywood Dancer Costumed Character Culinary Performer Dance Troupe Educational Entertainment Emcee Henna Tattoo Artist Indian Entertainment Laser Light Show Middle Eastern Entertainment Narrator Sitar Player World Music

Event Services:

Caterer Event Florist Party Decor Pyrotechnician

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

 diwali festival of lights

One of the most important holidays for Hindu is a five day festival called Diwali: The Festival of Lights. Spiritually, it signifies the victory of light over dark, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. The first night, Dhanteras, kicks off the festival with new clothes, houses being cleaned, and laying of traditional floor decorations. The second day is Narak Chaturdasi, and includes henna hand tattoos, prayers, food preparation, and more decorating. On the third day of the festival, Diwali night, people put out candles in windows and doorways to welcome the goddess Lakshimi, who represents wealth and prosperity and is believed to roam the earth on this night. The festival also includes more prayers, fireworks, feasts, and exchanging of gifts. If you’re throwing a Diwali Party, we’ve got some ways to make it great!

Read more
Other Cultural Event Ideas:

Featured booking options for Ashburn, VA events:

Tanager Fiddle Works - Violinist in Silver Spring, Maryland

This vendor provides virtual services Offers Virtual Services

Tanager Fiddle Works

5.0 (10)
  • Silver Spring, MD
  • Violinist
  • 14 Verified Bookings

Elisa H. said “Stacy took the time to individualize her music for my day and plan out a beautiful set list for my ceremony.”

Fast Free Quote
Randy Pendleton Productions - World Music in Annapolis, Maryland

This vendor provides virtual services Offers Virtual Services

Randy Pendleton Productions

5.0 (6)
Top Performer
  • Annapolis, MD
  • World Music
  • 3 Verified Bookings

Barbara H. said “Randy Pendleton and his 5-piece band were a huge hit at our New Year's Eve party -- a community event attended by more than 200 people. The post-party…”

Fast Free Quote
Nimeera - Belly Dancer in Springfield, Virginia

This vendor provides virtual services Offers Virtual Services

Nimeera

4.97 (35)
Top Performer
  • Springfield, VA
  • Belly Dancer
  • 64 Verified Bookings

Annie said “Nimeera was a great addition to my event. The guest enjoyed all of her performances as well as Ruby the snake.”

Fast Free Quote
Nica The Magician and Clown Entertainer - Children’s Party Entertainment in Silver Spring, Maryland

This vendor provides virtual services Offers Virtual Services

Nica The Magician and Clown Entertainer

4.61 (46)
Top Performer
  • Silver Spring, MD
  • Children’s Party Entertainment
  • 44 Verified Bookings

Marissa M. said “Thank you so much!! The children had a wonderful time!! The magic, glitter, tattoos, balloon animals & games kept the children entertained all afternoon!…”

Fast Free Quote

Browse all performers and services near you:

Musical Acts Entertainers Speakers Services
Diwali: The Festival of Lights

The celebration of Diwali is significant in the Indian culture, in particular those who practice Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The holiday falls between mid-October and mid-November and lasts for a duration of four days. Here are some GigSalad tips for the holiday that features lights, fireworks, and sweets.

Light your Diyas and Firecrackers

Diwali is known as The Festival of Lights; it celebrates light overcoming darkness, good over evil. This name is derived from the activity of lighting the diyas and shooting off fireworks. Diyas are oil lamps usually made from clay, and they are an essential part to hosting a Diwali celebration. The diyas can be large or small, colorful or plain, etc. They are lit in rows throughout the household. An additional way to decorate and light your house is with colorful, rice paper lanterns.

In continuation with the celebration of light over darkness, fireworks are an essential part of the celebration of Diwali. It wouldn’t be Diwali without the shooting off of firecrackers and fireworks; however, there are usually injuries related to this part of the celebration. Hire a pyrotechnician to make sure the fireworks are shot off properly and safely.

How Do I Decorate for Diwali?

The decorations for Diwali focus on bright colors. You can achieve this by using bright curtains, cushions, pots, urns, wall hangings, etc. These wall hangings can be made from wood, ceramic, or sheets and usually portray a goddess or idol that is important to the Hindu religion. You can also use a florist to get vibrantly colored flowers to decorate the party area with; the lotus flower, in particular, holds significance for the Diwali celebration and in its history. Your attire should be of traditional Indian style, such as, saris for the women and pyjamas for the men.

You can also spice up your party with some cultural entertainment. Indian culture is rich with different forms of dance, music, and entertainment. You could have a belly dancer, Henna artist, or sitar player there to entertain your guests. These performers can liven up your party keep your guests entertained.

The Festival of Sweets

Some of the most common food shared at Diwali is sweets; the holiday has even gotten a second name as the Festival of Sweets. These sweets include gulab jamun, peda, jalebi; if you have no clue what any of these are hire a caterer or even a cake decorator; they may specialize in cakes, but they will love making a new sweet. The main course consists of traditional Indian food, like vegetables, rice, and curries.

Need more help in executing this festival of lights and sweets? Hire an event planner to do the work for you! This will save you time and energy. If you need help finding any type of entertainment or service for your Diwali celebration, find it here on GigSalad.

More