Christchurch is gearing up for its biggest Diwali festival yet, with the Indian Social and Cultural Club (ISCC) promising a blockbuster event on October 21 at Hagley Park.
The festival, which has been a major fixture on Christchurch’s event calendar for more than 15 years, attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all walks of life.
With each passing edition, the event has evolved and has set new benchmarks, promising a spectacular showcase of Indian culture, food and performances.
This year, the festival is set to dazzle and draw an even more extensive crowd, thanks to its new, more expansive venue.
“As the festival’s popularity and interest continue to soar, this year, Christchurch Council has generously provided us with Hagley Park North as our venue, which means we can accommodate more people and more stalls this year,” says Monty Parti of ISCC.
The ISCC team has been working to curate a programme that caters to all tastes and age groups. This year’s Diwali festival will showcase Christchurch’s vibrant multiculturalism with 25 performances encompassing dance and music from diverse ethnicities.
"We're committed to making the festival a sustainable event," says ISCC's Hemant Chauhan. "We've implemented several measures to reduce waste and environmental impact. All food vendors are committed to zero-waste practices, and the festival will use eco-friendly materials and products.
Parti says the ISCC was particularly excited to welcome tourists to the festival this year. We have three to four cruise ships coming to Christchurch that weekend, and we’re looking forward to entertaining them and showing them the diversity of our city.”
The festival will also feature a dazzling display of fireworks at 9 p.m. “It’s going to be a great way to cap off a fantastic day of celebration,” says Parti.
Tanu Srivastav, who is in charge of marketing for the festival, says the ISCC has upped the production quality this year with a bigger stage, colourful backdrops, and a photo frame-shaped stage design.
“We want people to have a truly memorable experience at the festival. We’ve put a lot of thought into every detail, from the food and entertainment to the décor.”
Anshu Parti says the organising team is working tirelessly to ensure smooth coordination for not just the 20 food stalls, but also an impressive lineup of 12 food trucks.
“I believe that the diverse culinary offering this year will result in the grandest food extravaganza to date, and there will be something to satisfy every palate and preference,” she says.
Sponsored by Bikanervala and Jiby Thomas Ray White, the gala is a free event and everyone is welcome to attend.
Date: October 21, 2023
Time: 2pm to 9.30pm
Location: Hagley Park North, Christchurch
Admission: Free