Welcome to Seattle Center
SEATTLE, WA— Diwali, the Festival of Lights, honors the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. This fall, that light comes to Seattle Center, the cultural heart of the Pacific Northwest. Diwali: Lights of India returns for a free, all-day celebration of Indian arts and culture. The festival runs 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 in the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall as part of Seattle Center Festál.
The Armory stage carries guests across India’s regional traditions from noon to close. The Temple of Music Classical Violin Youth Ensemble opens the day, followed by Bharatanatyam from Nrityalaya School of Dance, performances by the Vedic Cultural Center, Kuchipudi from Kalamandapam Kuchipudi School of Dance, Kathak from Anga Kala Kathak Academy, folk and fusion dance by La-Bonyo, and traditional Kerala percussion from Panchariz Seattle. Swaranjali School of Music closes the festival with an hour of Indian classical choir.
“Diwali: Lights of India is more than a festival. It is a celebration of light, culture, and belonging,” said Latha Sambamurti, producer and director of Diwali: Lights of India. “At Seattle Center, we bring India’s rich traditions to life while creating a welcoming space where every community can experience the joy of Diwali.”
Off the stage, the festival is built for hands-on discovery. Guests can watch a roti-making demonstration and try activities with the Vedic Cultural Center, admire a flower mandala created by Annie Penta, and sit down to a free vegetarian meal served to every attendee. Upstairs, the Armory lofts and balcony become a string of visual arts galleries and workshops, featuring Deepti Designs, kolam, the traditional floor art of Tamilnadu with Subhadra Santhanam, and work from Jayasri Arts, Vikranth Creates, Purnakala School of Indian Art, Expressions Arts, Stuti Garg’s Art, and Paint A Style Art School. New this year, cow calves from Goloka Farm will be on hand for cuddling on the Armory Balcony, paired with an educational look at the sacred role of cows in Indian culture.
“When we light a Diwali lamp, we light more than a flame. We light a path toward understanding, inclusion, and community,” said Harry Terhanian, president of Northwest SHARE. “Diwali: Lights of India brings that light to Seattle Center and invites everyone to celebrate with us.”
Seattle Center Festál opens a window into the living traditions of the region’s cultural communities, each sharing its story in its own voice. At Diwali, that story is told through lamplight, music, dance, and a shared meal, and everyone has a seat at the table.
About Northwest SHARE
Northwest SHARE is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 to promote arts, culture, heritage, education, health, and the humanities. Through Diwali: Lights of India, presented as part of Seattle Center Festál, the organization shares the music, dance, art, food, and traditions of India with the greater Seattle community. Learn more at NWShare.org.
Information on the festival is available at SeattleCenter.com and NWShare.org.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál is a unique public program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity.
These community-produced events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of our region’s diversity through immersive performances, food, arts, and educational programming. Collectively, the festivals welcome approximately 400,000 visits annually, generate an estimated $30 million in economic activity, support more than 250 jobs, and engage thousands of volunteers, artists, and small business vendors.
Seattle Center Festál is presented in partnership between Seattle Center and 25 community-based organizations, with support from the City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and 4Culture's Sustained Support and Free/Reduced Access programs. Additional support for Festál 2026 is provided by 2025 charitable donations from the Snoqualmie Tribe, and ArtsFund's Community Accelerator Grant funded by Allen Family Philanthropies.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and is home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others.
Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center brings together arts, culture, sports, and community year-round.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center serves residents from across the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world.
In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Center provides operations, maintenance, and public safety services for Waterfront Park, while Friends leads park experience, programming, and stewardship along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.
Seattle Center welcomes nearly 12 million visits annually, generating nearly $3.3 billion in total economic activity, supporting 19,400 jobs, and producing more than $37 million in local tax revenue for the City of Seattle.
With the support of its official partners—Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank—Seattle Center is the most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest.
CONTACT
Jordan Van Beek | jordan@whyforgood.com | 425.638.2293
