New York: South Street Seaport Museum announces Diwali Celebration at the Seaport Museum on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 3–6 pm. Tickets are free and can be reserved at seaportmuseum.org/diwali
Join the Seaport Museum and The Culture Tree for festive activities to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Diwali, named for the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that light up homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness, also marks the start of the Hindu New Year.
From 3 pm to 6 pm, decorate your own “diya lamp”—or in this case, a candle—on the cobblestones of Water Street outside of the Museum and float it in a special pool, symbolizing prosperity for the new year.
At 4 pm, audience members will head into the Museum’s first-floor Maritime City exhibition gallery for Diwali Puppet Storytime, where they will explore the significance and origins of Diwali and how it’s celebrated worldwide. We’ll also read stories like A Kids Book About Diwali, perfect for children and families.
Following Storytime, at 5 pm, the audience will jump into an interactive dance workshop and performance in which they will experience and dance to popular Diwali songs, music, and stories. Attendees will learn mudras (hand gestures) from classical dance forms and dance to beautiful Diwali songs.
In addition to these exciting, all-ages activities, enjoy free access to the Seaport Museum’s Maritime City exhibition and explore the unique letterpress printshop Bowne & Co., Stationers, which will even have something special to print using the Museum’s 19th-century printing press!
Preregistration is encouraged. Walkups will be accommodated as much as possible.
