The excitement and energy level at the Auckland Diwali Festival was contagious. The music fostered movement both on-stage and in the crowd. It is a colourful, jubilant gathering of the sights and sounds of India.
We walked up from lower Queen Street, coming upon craft and clothing booths just past the Air New Zealand cockpit open for inspection at the corner of Wellesley Street. Cheering crowds and lively music drew us toward Aotea Square. We hadn’t been to the Auckland Diwali Festival in prior years. The huge crowds surprised me, as did finding much of Queen Street closed off for the event.
What is Diwali
(Quoting from the event programme): It is also known as The Festival of Lights. Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life.
Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, his wife and brother from their 14-year exile and their defeat of the demon-king Ravana. Villagers celebrated the return of Lord Rama and his family by setting off fireworks and lighting diyas (clay lamps) to guide their journey back to their kingdom.
Dancing on the Main Stage
On stage was a mix of traditional and Bollywood dance and vocal entertainment, including an exciting Bollywood competition. The high-energy atmosphere near the stage had just enough personal space to prevent that feeling of claustrophobia I get at rock concerts.
Diwali is New Zealand’s largest vegetarian festival
Eventually, we ventured to all-vegetarian Indian food booths. (Yes, the Auckland Diwali Festival is also the largest annual vegetarian food festival in New Zealand.)
Family fun crafts
In addition to the crafts, clothing, food, and entertainment, there was a sponsor area featuring opportunities to win a few cool prizes. I entered to win a domestic flight from Air New Zealand and $1000 from ASB, simply by taking specific selfies, adding hashtags and posting them on Facebook.
Dancing the night away
There is often an option for an Auckland festival on the weekends. Some of my other favourites are listed here.
Did you attend the Auckland Diwali Festival?
Sheldon Nesdale
Oh, I missed it I like Diwali Festival of Lights. And who doesn’t like the Indian food
Rhonda Albom
It is quite a crowded festival, so the food lines were all pretty long.
Travelsito
Looking forward to visiting New Zealand. Coming soooooon!
Rhonda Albom
Have you been here before? Which cities will you visit? You will love New Zealand.
Pam
What an amazing festival. And your photos are gorgeous!
Larry
Looks like you had an awesome time …. I love Indian food and culture!
Rhonda Albom
Next year you need to attend this one 🙂
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
These pictures are FANTASTIC I feel like I was there. I have always wanted to visit India during the Diwali Festival, it’s so awesome you got a taste of it in Auckland! I live in NYC I wonder if they do one here? I need to look into it!
Rhonda Albom
I would imagine somewhere in New York City there would be a Diwali festival. You should have a bit of time to look as Auckland was a bit early.
Molly
I love all the colours of their outfits. Looks like a really cool festival and well done with the weight loss that is seriously impressive
mollyxxx
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Molly. It’s been an interesting journey.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
I’m not sure if I would enjoy this. I’m not a vegetarian. I need meat Grrrrrrrrrrr. LOL The music and dancing and the amount of colours abound looks wonderful.
Enjoy your day Rhonda. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
The food was only a small part. And the normal restaurant are still open. You could get a meat pizza at Sals, or stop into Burger Fuel.
AJThompson
Someday I will go this festival! I’ve seen so many photos from it over the years–and it must be amazing!
Rhonda Albom
Next year. The positive energy fills the festival. You walk away feeling good. And it’s free.
shere
What a colorful dresses!! In the town I live there isn’t Diwali festivals, but as we have a lot of colleagues from India, there’s always an event at work. But the first time I celebrated was in Germany during my university exchange as there was a good amount of students from India.
Rhonda Albom
I would imagine Germany does Diwali quite well.
Heartsie Girl
What a wonderful festival to attend everything is so colorful, I bet the food was really good. I wish that I could attend these kinds of events, the ole body just doesnt cooperate.
Rhonda Albom
At least you can visit them vicariously through me.
Deb Nance
Love all the color!
Rhonda Albom
Me too 🙂
E
Woo! What great looking fun. I’ve never been to anything like that, and your descriptions make it even more enticing. Take me next time?
Emilyann
Way cool! I love live music and dance.
Rhonda Albom
I wish I could somehow share the music here too.
Sharon
What vibrant colors! Your photos capture this so well. I’m surprised about the vegetarian food. I’m a vegetarian and usually have trouble finding something I want to eat at festivals and fairs. Thanks for sharing this great Auckland tradition with us!
Rhonda Albom
My daughter is the same, a vegetarian that often has trouble at festivals. This one was perfect for you and her.
Jay @CraftySpices
This sure looks like a wonderful festival, filled with fun activities, music and bright colors. Festivals can be so much fun, it’s sad that we have not been to one in such a long time.
Rhonda Albom
What are you waiting for?
Kate
Looks like a very fun festival. Lots of beautiful colors in those costumes.
Rhonda Albom
Complimented by the lights in the background, they looked even better
Joyce
Looks like fun.
Rhonda Albom
It was fun.
Alissa Apel
That does look like fun! I like the painted wall, and the lit up lines are so neat!
Rhonda Albom
The lit up lines were colorful, but I had to overexpose to be able to see the crowd.
Rhonda Albom
It was vibrant.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Kelleyn
Photo Cache
Fantastic coverage of the festival. I like festivals, although I find myself succumbing to claustrophobia more often than not.
Rhonda Albom
I often do too, but there was a lot more personal space than would appear. Later in the evening when it got more crowded, I backed out of the crowd.
Robyn Engel
The dancers look so beautiful, and I love the group art project.
Keep enjoying it all, Rhonda.
Rhonda Albom
The best thing about that group project was that everyone kept it family friendly.
L. Diane Wolfe
Brilliant action shots. Those can be so hard to catch. You have to balance shutter speed with ISO for enough speed and light.
Rhonda Albom
Very true, I had to bring up the ISO quite a bit more than I like for outdoor shooting, plus I was a good distance from the stage.
Comedy Plus
What a fun festival and I used to love doing these kinds of things. It’s just way too many people for me. That would not be fun. Not complaining about getting old, but the crowds just don’t do it for me anymore. Hubby and I both avoid them, and happily do so. I’m glad you had a great time.
Have a fabulous day and keep up the great work on your health. I’m so proud of you. ♥♥♥
Rhonda Albom
That is what I thought when I looked at the crowd, but there was a politeness and personal space I am not used to in crowds. From the distance, the people look like they are shoulder to shoulder, but once in the crowd it seemed okay.
Parent Club
Looks like a fun day
Rhonda Albom
It was fun, day and evening.
Teresa from NanaHood
You will do great on Instagram because you are a superb photographer. That’s what it takes! Hugs to you across the sea!
Minoru
Hi! The festival looks very fun for all of them. I enjoyed your post very much. Thanks for sharing.
Rhonda Albom
It was fun for everyone. The dancers all had huge smiles, and the crowds were cheering and happy. Even the kids had smiles on their faces.
Nana Prah
Gorgeous photos. Looks like a good time.
Nancy
These are great shots! The colors are so vibrant and I can feel the energy.
Rhonda Albom
I am glad I could capture the energy, that was one of my goals.
eileen
Hello, A festival of lights sounds pretty. It looks like a fun day and event. Thanks for sharing, enjoy your week!
Rhonda Albom
It was impressive that it was so bright and colorful both day and night.
stevebethere
Fab shots Rhonda interesting too, looked like great fun all looks so vibrant and colourful 🙂
Have a diwalitastic week & thanks for waltzing by 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Steve. It was interesting. It wasn’t really an educational event for the public, but rather a festival for those already celebrating, so most of the information here came from researching about it.
Feed Me Dearly
Wow, loved your shots – thanks so much for sharing. Looks like such a glam event to visit… I bet you had loads of fun. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
It was pretty impressive, so much energy and happiness. I really did love it.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – what a great festival to be able to join in with .. and sample some of the foods … amazing colours – and just lovely to see …
Instagram will be perfect for you … great that you’re on there .. cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
While my family could enjoy the food, I stuck to my eating plan. Too bad for me, but there is always next year. And thanks for the compliment.
Shiju Sugunan
Cool photos. Diwali is a huge affair here in India.
craniumbolts
Rhonda Albom
I imagined it would be much bigger and brighter (and on the proper date) in India. I hope you share photos too. Thanks for the recipe!
Amy
Very cool, I haven’t ever been to one of those.
Rhonda Albom
The real Diwali isn’t for another few weeks, so plenty of time to check around and see if one exists.
Abrianna
Wonderful colorful colors. I was a bit confused as I thought diwali was alter and I was glad to see you confirm that for me. Hope your health improves quickly.
Rhonda Albom
I know there was some conflict with the community and the city about the date of the festival, but it seemed to have resolved quietly. I would have written about it, if I could find any information.
michelle C
love the second and third photos, colour and expressions are beautiful. Maybe you should contact the organisers and see if they want to use your photos for promos next year or something.
Rhonda Albom
{{blush}} Thanks Michelle. Great idea to send it through to ATEED, although they had their own photographers right up on stage.
Sue Slaght
Rhonda as I read your post I was thinking I would comment on how your eloquent writing made me feel as though I was right with you. Then I thought I would comment on your photography talents. Then I clicked on the link to your ‘diagnosis’. As your request as a fellow blogger I can certainly take you virtually with us. We often have several readers in our backpacks. 🙂 I will do my best to make you laugh. Congrats on your incredible weight loss! My very best wishes to you. I have followed you on Instagram and having not started that long ago myself I would be happy to chat if that would be helpful.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Sue, glad to take you with me. The original diagnosis is about five months old, but I just got it confirmed with tests a few weeks ago. We were hoping I had lost enough to put it into remission, but it doesn’t always happen that way. I am no longer letting it get me down. Laughter is good, but I am also keeping really positive and completely falling in love with my city all over again. If I have to be stuck somewhere, New Zealand is a pretty good choice. 🙂
I am day 3 on Instagram, so any guidance would be welcomed.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Colorful indeed! You got some great shots of the dancers. Don’t think I’ve seen a festival like that in the States.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Alex. I was pleased with them, as without a media pass I was just out there in the crowd. Diwali is actually on 11 November, so keep an eye out.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor
Looks like a great event. I love Indian food so I’m sure I would have been in heaven with all the food vendors.
Rhonda Albom
Did you got to Diwali last year? Parking was the worst part but that wouldn’t have been a problem for you. We parked down by the Maritime Museum as I am into walking.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor
I’ve never been – can you believe that!? Shame I missed it 🙁
Rhonda Albom
You will be back. You can go then.