Tag: Edinburgh Diwali

Edinburgh Diwali kicks off winter festivals

Edinburgh city centre was awash with colour yesterday (Sunday 2nd November) as Edinburgh Diwali marked 10 years of uniting communities and celebrating diversity.

The annual celebration, which was launched in 2015 by the Lord Provost and Indian diaspora of Edinburgh, kick-started the city’s winter festivities with a vibrant parade and performance programme in central Edinburgh.

President of Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh said: “This year marked a special milestone for Edinburgh Diwali as we proudly celebrated 10 years with the theme that embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.

“From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light ( Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years.”

The fun began at St Andrew Square, where the Lord Provost and Scottish Regiment Band lead a colourful procession of over 150 performers and community representatives through Edinburgh’s New Town.

The parade was enhanced with displays of traditional Indian dance and culture from Yatra Tamil, Uttarakhand, Malayali, and Telugu dance groups, University of Edinburgh’s Junoon Dance, and Edinburgh Banghra Crew.

The Glencorse Pipe Band kept the beat along the parade, while Edinburgh’s South American community joined in with performances from El Encanto and Mextli dance groups.

Following the parade, celebrations moved to West Princes Street Gardens, with a fun-filled afternoon of performance at the Ross Bandstad in the foothills of Edinburgh Castle, alongside a menu of Indian cultural activities and cuisine provided by Mr Basrai World Cuisine, Desh restaurant, treats and henna painting from Lidl.

Edinburgh’s leading classical Indian dance school, Nikkan Dance Academy told the story of Diwali through nine different forms of dance, while Alhalya demonstrated the intricate footwork and dynamic gestures and expressive gestures of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance known for its dynamic rhythms. Edinburgh’s own Udaan and Bollyfeat performed some contemporary Bollywood fusion, celebrating modern Indian culture.

Closing the day’s performances, the UK’s premier Bollywood Rock Band, Shoonya gave an electrifying performance, before fireworks lit up the sky above Princes Street Gardens to bring the day’s celebrations to a close with a bang.

Remarking on the 10th anniversary of the event, Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali, Councillor Robert Aldridge said: “Diwali is observed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide and we’re proud to bring this exciting tradition to the heart of Scotland’s capital.

“Diwali is a family-friendly celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Free and open to all, it has become one of Edinburgh’s unmissable events in recent years and this year celebrates the 10th anniversary.

“With a colourful parade, live performances, and spectacular fireworks, it’s a joyful occasion that brings communities together and showcases the rich cultural heritage of the festival of lights.”

Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik said: “Diwali is a festival that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. It reminds us of the enduring power of truth, compassion, and goodwill to illuminate our lives. The spirit of Diwali continues to inspire and bring together people across the world.

“I am delighted that Edinburgh Diwali 2025 once again brought these timeless values to life in the heart of this beautiful city. The vibrant performances, cultural showcases, and enthusiastic community participation reflect the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect that exist between India and Scotland.

“I warmly congratulate the team of Edinburgh Diwali and the City of Edinburgh Council for their dedicated efforts in promoting cultural understanding and tradition through this remarkable celebration over the past ten years.”

Edinburgh Diwali President, Rajnish Singh added: “Our sincere gratitude to our funding bodies and sponsors whose support has allowed us to keep the festival free and open to everyone.

“A special acknowledgement goes to City of Edinburgh Council & members of EPOG, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Consul General of India, who have supported us every year since our inception.

“On behalf of the entire Committee, I extend a big thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.”

Edinburgh Diwali’s 10th anniversary celebration took place on Sunday 2 November. The event was open to all, encouraging people from across Edinburgh and the surrounding area to participate in this family-friendly festival of light.

For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit edinburghdiwali.co.uk.

PICTURES: ROBIN MAIR

Edinburgh Diwali 2025 programme announced

10 years of uniting communities, celebrating diversity

Edinburgh city centre will be awash with colour on Sunday 2nd November as Edinburgh Diwali marks 10 years of uniting communities and celebrating diversity.

The annual celebration, which was launched in 2015 by the Lord Provost and Indian diaspora of Edinburgh, kick starts the city’s winter festivities with a vibrant parade and performance programme in central Edinburgh.

President Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh looked forward to this year’s event saying: “This year marks a special milestone for Edinburgh Diwali as we proudly celebrate 10 years with the theme that embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.

“From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light (Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years.”

The fun begins at St Andrew Square, where Dishoom will be serving up a warming Chai before the Lord Provost and Scottish Regiment Band lead a colourful procession of over 150 performers and community representatives through Edinburgh’s New Town.

Displays of traditional Indian dance and culture will bookend the parade, with demonstrations from Yatra Tamil, Uttarakhand, Malayali, and Telugu dance groups, University of Edinburgh’s Junoon Dance, and Edinburgh Banghra Crew. The Glencorse Pipe Band will be keeping the beat along the parade, while Edinburgh’s South American community join in with demonstrations from El Encanto and Mextli dance groups.

Following the parade, celebrations move to West Princes Street Gardens, with a fun-filled afternoon of performance planned at the Ross Bandstad in the foothills of Edinburgh Castle, alongside a menu of Indian cultural activities and cuisine provided by Mr Basrai World Cuisine, Desh restaurant, treats and henna painting from Lidl.

Throughout the afternoon, Edinburgh’s leading classical Indian dance school, Nikkan Dance Academy will tell the story of Diwali through nine different forms of dance, while Alhalya demonstrate the intricate footwork and dynamic gestures and expressive gestures of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance known for its dynamic rhythms. Celebrating more modern Indian culture, Edinburgh’s own Udaan and Bollyfeat perform some of the best contemporary Bollywood fusion.

Closing the day’s performances, the UK’s premier Bollywood Rock Band, Shoonya, will headline with an electrifying performance before a fireworks finale lights up Edinburgh’s city skyline for the first time in 2025.

Based in London, Shoonya draws from the varied musical influences of its members, including traditional Bollywood songs, Indian and western classical, blues, alt-rock, and grunge for a high-octane show that’s not to be missed.

Remarking on the 10th anniversary of the event, Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali, Councillor Robert Aldridge said: “Diwali is observed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide and we’re proud to bring this exciting tradition to the heart of Scotland’s capital.

“Diwali is a family-friendly celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Free and open to all, it has become one of Edinburgh’s unmissable events in recent years and this year celebrates the 10th anniversary.

“With a colourful parade, live performances, and spectacular fireworks, it’s a joyful occasion that will bring community together and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the festival of lights.”

Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik said: “Diwali is a festival that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.

“It reminds us of the enduring power of truth, compassion, and goodwill to illuminate our lives. The spirit of Diwali continues to inspire and bring together people across the world.

“I am delighted that Edinburgh Diwali 2025 will once again bring these timeless values to life in the heart of this beautiful city on 2nd November 2025.

“The vibrant performances, cultural showcases, and enthusiastic community participation reflect the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect that exist between India and Scotland.

“I warmly congratulate the team of Edinburgh Diwali and the City of Edinburgh Council for their dedicated efforts in promoting cultural understanding and tradition through this remarkable celebration over the past ten years.

“I look forward to joining everyone in celebrating this joyous occasion and sharing in the festive spirit of Diwali.”

Edinburgh Diwali President, Rajnish Singh added: “We also express our sincere gratitude to our funding bodies and sponsors whose support has allowed us to keep the festival free and open to everyone.

“A special acknowledgement goes to City of Edinburgh Council & members of EPOG, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Consul General of India, who have supported us every year since our inception.

“On behalf of the entire Committee, I extend a big thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.

“We warmly invite residents and visitors of Edinburgh to join us on Sunday 2nd November with your family and friends, for a spectacular afternoon filled with music, dance, food, and a breathtaking fireworks finale.”

Edinburgh Diwali 10th anniversary celebration will take place 13:00 – 19:00 on Sunday 2nd November 2025. The event is free to attend and open to all, encouraging people from across Edinburgh and the surrounding area to participate in this family-friendly festival of light.

For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit 

edinburghdiwali.co.uk or facebook.com/edinburgh.diwali.

Edinburgh Diwali hosts tenth celebration in Scotland’s capital

TOMORROW: Sunday 3rd November 2024

Edinburgh city centre will be awash with music and colour this weekend, as Edinburgh Diwali hosts its annual celebration of the festival of lights tomorrow on Sunday 3rd November.

This year will be the tenth celebration of the Indian festival in Scotland’s capital city, the largest public Diwali event in the country, which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness the world over. Free to attend and open to all, Edinburgh Diwali celebrates community and diversity in Edinburgh with a diverse and colourful programme of music and dance, parade, and fireworks display.

Rajnish Singh, President of Edinburgh Diwali, said: “We are celebrating our 10th Diwali, Festival of Light, complementing 900 years of Edinburgh city.

“Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated Indian festivals across the world by the Indian diaspora. We at Edinburgh Diwali organise the festival in such a way that anyone interested can participate with no barriers – open to all and free to attend in the city centre.

“We had to refresh the event in 2021 post Covid, and are really pleased that it has become one of the most popular communities led event in Edinburgh in a short span of time. We take pride in the way we celebrate the core message of light over darkness with an array of multicultural dance & music and fireworks – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.

“The organisation of Diwali 2024 is not possible without the hard work of Edinburgh Diwali committee, volunteers, performers, and the support from City of Edinburgh Council and our sponsors. I would like to extend my gratitude to all of them and to our audience for their continued support. We also highly appreciate the support and guidance from the office of Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Consul General of India, Edinburgh, and many long-standing friends of Edinburgh Diwali.

“We are eagerly looking forward to showcasing a vibrant and fun-filled Diwali 2024. On behalf of my Committee, I would like to invite all the residents and visitors of Edinburgh (and Scotland) to join us on 03 November with family & friends.”

Celebrations will begin at St Andrew Square, where performers from across Indian and Scottish culture will converge before setting off on a parade through Edinburgh’s New Town en route to Princes Street Gardens.

The display kicks off at St Andrew Square at 13:15, before making its way along George Street to Castle Street, led by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Consul General of India and the Edinburgh Diwali Committee.

Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali, Councillor Robert Aldridge said: “Diwali is a vibrant, family-friendly festival of lights, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

“Free and open to all, it has become one of Edinburgh’s unmissable events in recent years. I’m delighted to see it continue to grow and flourish. This year marks the tenth celebration of this Indian festival in Scotland’s capital, offering a lively programme of music, dance, and lights.”

The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will lead proceedings with the unmistakable sound of Scotland, accompanied by pipers and drummers from the Stockbridge and Glencorse Pipe Bands. Following in their wake, the Edinburgh Noise Committee will provide a soundtrack for seven different dance troupes representing the different regions and diversity of Indian Culture.

Students from Ahalya Dance Academy will showcase the ancient art form of Bharatanatyam – a form of classical dance that takes its name from the Tamil words for expression, melody, rythym, and dance.

While the University of Edinburgh’s first South Asian fusion dance society  Junoon Dance and Edinburgh Bhangra Crew will showcase modern day India with a display of contemporary South Asian dance styles.

The different states and regions of India will be represented with traditional dance displays from Bihar, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu; and Edinburgh Diwali celebrates multiculturalism in Edinburgh by welcoming Soles Del Peru, who will bring a touch of Latin America and carnivale spirit to the parade.

Celebrations continue with the main event at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens from 15:30, with a varied and vibrant programme of music, drama, and dance. Indian fusion, Scottish Highland Dancing, and Bollywood all feature with performances from BollyFeat, Dance@Studio21, and Edinburgh’s longest running Indian dance school, Dance Ihayami.

Community members from Bharatiya Ashram, Dundee’s Dudhope Multicultural Centre, will depict the traditional story of Diwali with a dramatisation of the Ramayana, an Indian epic that follows the life of Rama,  the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu.

The evening will culminate with a headline performance from one of the UK’s leading British Asian fusion bands, Kaykay & Co.. Led by Kaykay Chouhan, their distinctive and contagious mix of Bollywood bangers and Western pop classics will enthral attendees before a show stopping fireworks display designed by 21CC beneath Castle Rock at 18:30.

Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik said: “Diwali, the festival of lights, is a celebration that transcends cultures and unites people in the spirit of hope, joy, and the triumph of good over evil. This beautiful festival, commemorating Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, is now celebrated globally, and I am delighted to see the vibrant community in Edinburgh embrace this tradition with such enthusiasm.

“I am pleased to extend support of the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh to Edinburgh Diwali as they prepare for their annual celebration on 3rd  November, 2024.

The colourful parades, music, dance, and fireworks planned for the City Centre and the Princess Street Gardens will undoubtedly bring joy and excitement to all. This event is a testament of Indian community’s hard-work towards fostering cultural exchange and sharing traditions with the people of Scotland.

I thank the Edinburgh City Council for extending their support. I look forward to joining the festivities and celebrating with everyone.”

Edinburgh Diwali 2024 will take place from 13:15 on Sunday 3rd November. The event is free to attend and open to all, encouraging everyone to participate in the family-friendly celebration of light.

Edinburgh Diwali is held thanks to the kind support of the City of Edinburgh Council Diversity & Inclusion Fund, People’s Postcode Lottery, and People’s Postcode Trust,

The festival is further supported by Baillie Gifford, BEMIS Scotland, Craigvrack Hotel, Lidl GB, Mr Basrai’s World Cuisines, and two of Edinburgh’s leading Indian restaurants – Desh and Dishoom. Edinburgh Diwali works closely with Unique Assembly, producer of Edinburgh’s Christmas, to deliver Diwali as part of the city’s calendar of festive events.

For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit:

edinburghdiwali.co.uk or facebook.com/edinburgh.diwali.

Edinburgh Diwali’s 10th Anniversary

Edinburgh Diwali (SC047483), a registered Scottish charity, has been organising Edinburgh’s primary public Diwali celebration since 2015. This vibrant, multicultural event warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds and has become one of Edinburgh’s most popular community-led festivals, now a fixture in the city’s festive calendar.

The 2024 Diwali celebration, scheduled for Sunday, 3 November, marks Edinburgh Diwali’s 10th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, Edinburgh Diwali held a special reception in the Scottish Parliament’s Holyrood Room on 30 October, kindly sponsored by Foysol Choudhury MSP, who welcomed attendees.

Distinguished guests included First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar MSP, Minister for Equality Kaukab Stewart  MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Neil Bibby MSP, and the Indian Consul General in Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik.

The event brought together over 100 guests, including representatives from community organisations, councillors, and long-time supporters of Edinburgh Diwali.

Dancers from Ahalya Dance Academy and Dance Ihayami showcased traditional and fusion performances, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Mr Rajnish Singh, President of Edinburgh Diwali, extended a warm welcome and expressed gratitude to the sponsor, speakers, performers, attendees, photographers, decorators, and the Scottish Parliament events team on behalf of the Edinburgh Diwali Committee. Guests enjoyed an evening of light refreshments and celebration.

Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Hosting cultural events in the Scottish Parliament, at the heart of Scottish democracy, serves as a powerful reminder that: Culture Matters.”

“It matters to Our Communities—by celebrating religious freedoms and cultural expression, strengthening community bonds, and promoting cooperation and unity within our diverse society.”

“It matters for Cross-Cultural understanding—encouraging us to engage with each other’s faiths, cultural practices, and customs, helping combat prejudice and fostering a more tolerant society.”

Save the Date: Edinburgh Diwali returns for 10th celebration

SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 1 – 7pm

Edinburgh Diwali returns to the Capital for it’s tenth celebration of the Indian festival of lights on Sunday 3rd November 2024. Festivities will include a colourful and multicultural parade through Edinburgh city centre, as well as performances and fireworks display in Princes Street Gardens to celebrate the spiritual victory of good over evil.

Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights and is now celebrated internationally by 1.5 billion people to ward off the darkness and welcome the light. Originally hailing from India, Diwali is marked across globe with large public events in Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States of America.

Edinburgh Diwali, a registered Scottish charity, started in 2015 as an initiative by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and Indian diaspora from the city, and has gone on to become Scotland’s largest public Diwali event.

In 2020, Edinburgh Diwali was recognised as one of seven ‘best places to celebrate Diwali around the world’ by The Telegraph for it’s digital celebration which lit up Edinburgh’s City Chambers with Happy Diwali messages.

The Indian celebration is one of Edinburgh’s most popular community led events, attracting around 10,000 spectators to the parade and performances in Princes Street Gardens.

Last year’s festivities included performances from Dance Ihayami, Bollyfeat, Classsical Confluence and Dance@Studio21 with a presentation of Indian, Scottish, and fusion dance; plus music from the Stockbridge and Glencorse Pipe Bands as part of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and a headline performance from Kaykay & Co, the London based British Asian fusion band led by Kaykay Chouhan.

This year’s Diwali celebration promises to be equally spectacular, with the full programme to be revealed closer to the event.

Edinburgh Diwali 2024 will take place 13:00 – 19:00 on Sunday 3rd November. The event is open to all with free entry, encouraging everyone to participate in this family-friendly festive celebration of light.

For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit:

edinburghdiwali.co.uk or facebook.com/edinburgh.diwali.

PICTURES: Robin Mair