Diwali 2022

The Diwali celebrations will open at 10am on the Market Square, with stalls selling cultural food and drinks and other community stalls. From 1pm there will be a range of cultural activities to experience including the traditional game of Karom, arts and crafts, henna painting and saree dressing, as well as exhibitions and performances from local community.

Entertainment on the main stage will begin from 4pm, hosted by Mark Dean from Inspiration FM, followed by candle lighting by Northampton's dignitries. The Lantern Procession will embark at 6pm, from the Market Square.

Iconic puppets, Harminder the elephant and Shanti the giant bird return to lead the way. These old favourites will be joined by puppets of Hanumanji, Rama, Sita, Ravana and Ganesh, as well as pupils from local schools, as they head out from the Market Square, heading up Abington Street, before looping down St Giles Street and back to the Market Square.

There will then be a series of short speeches from our dignitaries before the switching on of the lights to mark the celebration of the Festival of Lights.