Celebrations under way at Tauranga Diwali Festival

The entrance to the Tauranga Diwali Festival at the Historic Village on 17th Ave. Photo/SunLive.

Tauranga is alive with vibrant colour and energy this afternoon as the Tauranga Diwali Festival begins at The Historic Village, marking the beginning of an exciting celebration of Indian arts and culture.

The event, which began at 2pm on Sunday at the Historic Village, will run until 8pm, offering attendees a rich tapestry of cultural performances, delicious food, and artistic displays.

The Tauranga Diwali Festival is featuring a spectacular line-up of South Indian dance and music.

The festival has become a hallmark of Tauranga’s cultural calendar, and this year’s event is especially significant as it marks its fifth anniversary.

With over 60 performers joining in the festivities, the event features a lineup of South Indian dance and music talents, including live kirtan music, bhangra, Bollywood, Bharatanatyam, folk, Kathak, and Bollykathak.

Stalls, food and entertainment at the Tauranga Diwali Festival today. Photo / SunLive

“When we started out, we wanted the Tauranga Diwali Festival to be something much more than just a music and food festival,” said an event organiser.

“We wanted to create a space where vibrant Indian arts, devotion, and honouring cultural and spiritual traditions are celebrated. It’s about nurturing a community where people feel inspired to express themselves creatively.”

Among the highlights of this year’s festival are live cultural dance performances, traditional Indian sweets, a selection of street food, and a variety of offerings such as spice chai, rangoli and diya painting, henna art, Indian jewellery, and crafts.

A performance of the Ramayan play is also scheduled to delight audiences.

Performances will be on the stage at the Tauranga Diwali Festival. Photo / SunLive

Festival-goers can enjoy a warm atmosphere of community, creativity, and cultural expression for a gold coin donation at the entrance.

Join in the celebrations at The Historic Village in 17th Ave, Tauranga until 8pm this evening.

- SunLive