Asia After Dark | Diwali Festival at Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, with an evening of food, music, dance, and activities! Learn how different regions celebrate this Hindu holiday, create crafts to take home, and see the museum lit up once the sun goes down. Learn about Diwali. Find more Diwali events.

Accessibility: The public elevator in the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) is out of service, so your route to the event location may take a few more minutes than usual. Use the accessible entrance at the corner of Independence Avenue and 12th Street SW, and follow the directions when you arrive. Get more accessibility details.

Program Details:

Food Vendors
West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), Plaza
5–9:30 p.m.
Enjoy cuisine from the Indian diaspora. Local food vendors include Rasa, Himalayan Soul Food, Apna Pizza, Swaadish by Neelma, Milaap Chai, and Malai Ice Cream.

Crafts & Coloring
5–9 p.m.

East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery)
Color a diya (Pavilion, level 1)
Decorate a rangoli with Kulture Khazana (Gallery 27, level B1)
Create a woodblock print with artist Trisha Gupta (ImaginAsia Studio, level B2)

West Building (Freer Gallery of Art)
Create a storybook with Sushmita Mazumdar (Freer Conference Room)
Learn and play different board games (South Corridor)

Performances
West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), Plaza

6 p.m.
Music by The Tabla Queen

7:25 p.m.
Dance by DC Bhangra Crew to kick off our Afterhours Dance Party

7:30–9:30 p.m.
Afterhours Dance Party with DJ Rekha

Special Decorations
West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), Plaza and Courtyard
5–9:30 p.m.
See the museum lit up to celebrate Diwali.