Celebrate Diwali in all its colour with lights, henna, Bollywood dancing, market stalls, traditional food and DJ sounds.
Diwali Festival of Lights
Event details
Date: Friday 10 November
4.30pm to 8pm
Booran Reserve, Glen Huntly
Cost: FREE, family-friendly event
Enjoy Diwali in Glen Eira — with local performers, traditional food and contemporary culture.
Bring your family and friends to mark the beginning of the Festival of Lights, and celebrate the brightness of life together as a community.
Richi Madan will host the festivities and showcase both his MC skills and his DJ talent. This year, the Bollywood and Bhangra DJ pioneer is celebrating 30 years of music. DJ Richi is known and loved at our Diwali festivals — his music always keeps the energy high and the dance floor alive!
Kicking off the celebrations, South Indian Parai drummers will set the rhythm for a joyous Diwali, followed by Chandralaya School of Dance, who will perform Indian classical dances. As the evening unfolds, Sindhu Bhairavi Centre for Indian Arts and Culture will light up the stage to showcase a vibrant blend of tradition, colour and rhythm.
To maintain the lively atmosphere, DJ Richi will entertain us with his dhol drumming skills, while the Bollydazzlers synchronize their moves to his beat and captivate us with their talent. The Ignite Bollywood dance troupe will then add their wow factor to the festivities.
At Glen Eira's Festival of Lights, dance takes centre stage, so get ready to be on your feet, moving to the beats and rhythms that define the spirit of Diwali.
During breaks between performances, keep an eye out for the photobooth and free face painting. Don’t miss out on the henna art stations where skilled artists will intricately decorate your hands. Support local Glen Eira traders’ market stalls and feast on an array of cuisines including Nepalese, Indian and Australian-Indian fusion. Make this your dinner destination and light up on the dance floor.
Glen Eira City Council presented its first Diwali event in October 2022, with thousands of people joining in the festivities.
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Please note: water in the water play feature at Booran Reserve will be switched off on Friday 10 November to support safe access to the event.
Diwali Festival of Lights FAQs
Where and when is the event?
Diwali Festival of Lights is being held on Friday 10 November at Booran Reserve, Glen Huntly (1051 Glenhuntly Road, Glen Huntly).
The event begins with the first performance at 4.30pm and will conclude at 8pm.
Do I need to book for this event?
This event is free to attend. Bookings are not required.
What should I bring?
We all know Melbourne weather can be unpredictable!
This is an outdoor, evening event so please keep an eye on the forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions.
We'll have bean bags and some crate seating available for your comfort. Additionally, Booran Reserve offers benches and tables near the BBQ area.
We strongly recommend guests bring their own picnic blankets to sit on the ground.
Is the event accessible?
The event space is within Booran Reserve with large, grassed areas and connecting concrete paths.
Accessible toilets are available at the venue.
We are more than happy to assist if you have access requirements in order to participate in the event. To discuss your access requirements with a Glen Eira staff member, please contact the Arts and Culture team via phone 9524 3333 or email arts@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Are there any road closures or traffic changes to know about?
In order to ensure safety for all pedestrians, speed limits will be reduced on Booran Road whilst the event is in progress. A temporary crossing on Booran Road will be established and overseen by our traffic management team.
We ask that you take care when driving near the event site due to increased patrons walking to the event.
Is there parking available nearby?
There is limited parking at Booran Reserve, and the streets surrounding Booran Reserve. We strongly recommend walking, cycling, or catching public transport wherever possible.
The closest train station to the venue is Glen Huntly Station (approx. 5-10 minute walk) and the closest tram stop is stop 67, which stops out front of Booran Reserve.
Will there be food and drinks available for purchase?
Yes, there will be a range of different food and drink options available to purchase from food trucks and vendors on the evening.
Guests are also welcome to bring along a picnic (no glass please and can also utilise the public BBQ facilities.
Can I bring my dog/pet?
Dogs and pets are not permitted within the grounds of Booran Reserve (service animals excluded).
Can I bring a pram?
Yes, prams are welcome.
Can I smoke at the event?
No, all Glen Eira City Council events are smoke-free.
Will the event be called off if it’s raining?
What happens if my child gets lost?
What happens if my child gets lost?
Please alert a Glen Eira City Council (uniformed) staff member or security guard if your child is lost. The Glen Huntly trader association marquee is the meeting point for lost children.
All Glen Eira City Council's staff members and security guards are trained in lost child procedures.
Is there medical help available if needed?
ColMed staff will be on-site at Booran Reserve.
What is the entertainment?
Diwali will feature of range of performers including:
- DJ/MC Richi Madan and Dhol drumming
- South Indian Parai Drummers
- Chandralaya School of Dance Performance
- Sindhu Bhairavi — Centre for Indian Arts and Culture
- Ignite Bollywood Performance
- Bollydazzlers
Staying COVID-safe
We ask that you do not attend Diwali if you feel unwell or are showing any COVID-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath).
While at the event, remember to wash and/or sanitise your hands regularly.
How do I contact Council's events team?
Our events team can be contacted on 9524 3333 or arts@gleneira.vic.gov.au
What happens if I hurt myself?
First Aid staff are on site at all events.
Additional information
- The water features will be turned off.
- Public toilets are available.
- Playground can be used by public during the event.
