Why a lamp
How can we make light in our community?
At the heart of this opening cycle is the Deepa, the traditional clay lamp whose flame symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, wisdom over ignorance, and hope over division. This cycle runs from October to December and celebrates the ways we can make light in our community. It follows the 2024 Wonderful India Festival, where this movement began.
All are welcome. You don’t need to know anything about Diwali to attend.
I’m coming
Come for one evening or come for all eight.
One big night, and smaller evenings around it that each celebrate in their own way. Every ticket below books that evening.
- Youth contest Kids and young adults Sun, Nov 8 Youth Diwali Art and Performance Contest Paint, write, sing or dance. Winners perform on Nov 14. 5 to 7:30 PM
- Demos and market All ages Sun, Dec 6 Artisan Demos and Market Watch artisans at work, then shop for handmade gifts. 4:30 to 7:30 PM
- Demos and market All ages Sun, Dec 13 Artisan Demos and Market More live craft, and gifts in time for the holidays. 4:30 to 7:30 PM
- Tickets
Opening Gathering 5 to 7 PM Next up Already happened
Artist Information Session and Town Hall Meeting
The first evening of the movement. Artists hear how to perform, exhibit or teach with us, and everyone meets the people building it, hears what the year holds, and tells us what they want Austin to see of India.
- Tickets
Media Recording 4:30 to 7:30 PM Next up Already happened
Wonderful India Media Evening
Say a few words on camera about why this movement matters to you. Community leaders, artists, performers and supporters sit with a trained interviewer, and the clips help tell Austin about the Festival of Lights.
- Tickets
Contest & Showcase 4 to 7 PM Next up Already happened
Rangoli Contest
Colored powder, rice flour and the geometry of welcome. Draw a rangoli for Diwali, see what your neighbors make, and stay for the showcase.
- Tickets
Youth Contest & Audition 5 to 7:30 PM Next up Already happened
Youth Diwali Art and Performance Contest
Young artists aged 5 to 17 paint, write, recite, sing or dance the story of Diwali. A contest with prizes, and a gentle audition: the top entries are invited to the Festival of Lights on November 14.
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Anchor festival Next up
The Festival of Lights
3 to 7 PM · Asian American Resource Center
The night the whole cycle has been walking toward: a celebration of light over darkness, and the whole city is invited.
108 lamps wait on the river steps, one for each bead of a prayer mala. The diya lights the first few. Pass the flame to light the rest.
- Tickets
Artisan Demos & Market 4:30 to 7:30 PM Next up Already happened
Artisan Demos and Market
Watch artisans at work on the crafts behind the lamps, cloth and color of the season, then take a piece home from the market.
- Tickets
Artisan Demos & Market 4:30 to 7:30 PM Next up Already happened
Artisan Demos and Market
A second evening of live craft demonstrations and an artisan market, in time for the holidays.
- Tickets
Artisan Market 4:30 to 7:30 PM Next up Already happened
Artisan Market
The last market of the year closes the Lights cycle. Handmade work from Indian artisans, and one more evening together before the new year.
Festival tickets are on Eventbrite. Every other evening is on lu.ma/lights.
I’m taking part
Light up the community
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Contest Sunday, Nov 1 Coming up soon
Enter the rangoli contest
Colored powder, rice flour and a steady hand. Make a rangoli, see what your neighbors make, then stay for the showcase. Families welcome.
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Youth contest Sunday, Nov 8 Coming up soon
Enter the youth Diwali contest
Ages 5 to 17 bring a painting, a poem, a monologue, a song or a dance on the story of Diwali. There are prizes, and the top entries are invited to perform at the festival on November 14.
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Vendors and artisans Dec 6, 13 and 20 Coming up soon
Sell at the artisan market
Three December evenings of live artist demos and handmade work, just before the holidays. Booth applications are open for artisans, crafters, and makers with authentic Indian goods to sell to an eager audience.
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Artists and speakers Saturday, Nov 14 Coming up soon
Take the stage at the festival
Dancers, musicians, storytellers and teachers who can explain what a tradition means as well as how it is done.
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Volunteers
Hold a lamp for someone else
Set up, greet guests at the door, keep the evening running. A few hours is enough.
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Sponsors and donors
Put your name beside the light
Businesses, families and foundations keep the seats affordable and the artists paid.
Good to know
Questions before you come
Anything else? Write to wonderfulindia@artlyworld.org.
When is the Festival of Lights?
The festival is on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 3 to 7 PM at the Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, Texas. It anchors the Lights cycle, which runs from October 18 to December 20, 2026, with seven smaller evenings around it.
How do I get tickets?
Festival tickets for November 14 are on Eventbrite. The seven evenings around it are on Luma at lu.ma/lights. Pick a date, register, and your ticket arrives by email. Each event page lists its venue and times.
What does it cost?
Many community sessions run on a suggested donation, and the festival and mainstage events are ticketed. If a ticket is out of reach, write to wonderfulindia@artlyworld.org and the team will keep a community seat for you.
Is it only for Indians, or only for Hindus?
No. Wonderful India is guided by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “the world is one family”. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists, and every evening is open to people of any background, belief or age.
Can I bring children?
Yes. Children are welcome at every gathering, and the Rangoli Contest on November 1 and the youth Diwali contest on November 8 are made with young people in mind.
What is a diya?
A diya, or deepa in Sanskrit, is a small clay lamp filled with oil or ghee and lit with a cotton wick. Rows of diyas are lit at Diwali to welcome light into the home, and the diya is the symbol of this cycle.
How do I get a booth at the artisan market?
Apply on the vendor page. Vendors are chosen for each market to keep the work authentic and the mix varied, and the team will write back once applications are reviewed.
See you in Austin
Be part of the light in our community this Diwali season.
Pick an evening, tell a friend, bring your loved ones.
Every date, all five cycles See the full schedule