QUEENS, NY — Flushing Town Hall will celebrate its 12th annual Diwali Festival on Sunday, November 1, with an Indian wedding-themed cultural event featuring traditional Kathak dance, Indian cuisine, live drumming, and interactive arts workshops for families. The festival, titled Diwali Festival: The Indian Wedding, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. The event will bring Indian wedding traditions to life through live performances and hands-on activities designed to introduce audiences of all ages to South Asian culture. Admission is free for children.
The centerpiece of the festival will be a wedding dance drama presented by Abha B. Roy and the Srijan Dance Company at 2:15 p.m. The performance will showcase traditional Indian wedding customs, including henna application, the haldi ceremony, regional dances, marriage rituals, and the bride’s farewell. A tassa drumming procession will welcome the bridal party, inviting audiences to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Indian wedding.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors can participate in Indian classical and folk dance workshops, explore block printing with Dr. Alka Mukerji, and create colorful rangoli designs with Josh Roychowdhury. Additional activities will include henna art by Bella Beauty and Hindi calligraphy with Jasbir Bhatia.
Food will also be a central part of the celebration. Queens Curry Kitchen will offer Indian food and beverages, while Chef Nupur Arora will demonstrate how to prepare traditional vegetarian Indian dishes.
“Our theme for this year’s Diwali Festival is the Indian Wedding, offering audiences a festive window into one of India’s most cherished cultural traditions,” said Ellen Kodadek, executive and artistic director of Flushing Town Hall.
Kodadek said the festival reflects the organization’s commitment to presenting international arts and creating meaningful cultural experiences for the diverse communities of Queens and the greater New York City area. She also acknowledged the Guru Krupa Foundation for its longstanding support of the annual event.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is widely celebrated as the Festival of Lights. Its name comes from a Sanskrit expression meaning “row of lights,” and the holiday symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair, and knowledge over ignorance.
Celebrated by millions of people around the world, Diwali is marked by the lighting of traditional oil lamps, festive gatherings, family activities, and cultural performances. While the festival has deep roots in Hindu traditions, it is also observed by people from different religious and cultural backgrounds.
Gabrielle M. Hamilton, director of education and public programs at Flushing Town Hall, said the Indian wedding theme would allow visitors to experience the vibrant colors, music, dance, and traditions associated with the celebrations.
The festival’s teaching artists will encourage participants to engage directly with Indian art and performance traditions, making the event an opportunity for both cultural discovery and family entertainment.
Roy, artistic director of Srijan Dance Center, has led Flushing Town Hall’s annual Diwali Festival since its inception. A specialist in Kathak, a classical dance form from northern India, she trained under renowned gurus Kundan Lal Gangani and Pandit Durgalal and completed her specialization at Kathak Kendra in New Delhi. She has performed and taught internationally, including appearances at Lincoln Center, Flushing Town Hall, and the Queens Museum.
Arora, founder of Queens Curry Kitchen and author of The Vegan Indian Home, combines her culinary background with a passion for Indian home-style cooking. Mukerji, a professor in the Studio Art Department and director of the Berger & Brownson Art Gallery at Manhattanville University, explores themes of cultural identity, coexistence, social justice, and peace through her artistic practice.
Adult admission is $20, while adult members can purchase tickets for $15. Children will be admitted free. Tickets and additional information are available at https://www.flushingtownhall.org/show-details/diwali-festival-the-indian-wedding.
Flushing Town Hall will continue its international music programming on Saturday, November 14, with GLOBAL MASHUP: Bollywood Meets Hollywood. The concert will bring together musicians from both traditions, blending Bollywood rhythms with Hollywood musical classics and pop anthems. The evening will begin with a dance lesson at 7 p.m., followed by individual performances and a collaborative musical finale.
Flushing Town Hall is a nonprofit cultural institution operated by the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts. Located in a historic 1862 landmark, the organization presents international and local artists through performances, arts education, and community programs. As a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group, it promotes cultural exchange and artistic engagement across Queens and beyond. For more information, visit www.flushingtownhall.org or call (718) 463-7700, extension 222.
