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This November, celebrate Diwali with Royal Museums Greenwich. 

Join the National Maritime Museum for a fantastic family-friendly celebration of Diwali, featuring free live performances, workshops, talks, a lantern parade and more.

The National Maritime Museum is once again teaming up with Mehala Ford, founder of south Asian arts collective COMMONGROUND&, to curate this year's Diwali theme 'Shine Your Light'.

Performances:
Rajasthani performance and workshop with Akademi 
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Great Map 
Akademi will be performing and leading an interactive workshop of folk dances from Rajasthan in North-Western India. Rajasthan is known for its glorious royal history, bright colours and ancient creative arts set beautifully against the backdrop of the Thar desert.

The folk music and dances from this region, mostly originating in the local tribes, are a vital part of Rajasthan’s cultural heritage and were mainly used to entertain kings and other royals. Folk songs are commonly ballads narrating heroic deeds and love stories, and religious or devotional songs.
* Suitable for all ages and abilities

Story Hour Puppet Theatre 
Time: 11:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm
Location: Lecture Theatre 
Come and watch a screening of Story Hour Puppet Theatre's Diwali story, and get the chance to meet the puppets and puppeteers too.

DJ set by Tara Kumar  
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Great Map 
Head to the Great Map for a party DJ'd by music tastemaker and Irish-Indian-Malaysian DJ Tara Kumar.

Family Fun:
Diwali Diyas
Time : 11:30am - 3:30pm (last entry will be at 3:15pm)
Location: Rethink Space
Diyas are traditional light holders used in Diwali celebrations. In this workshop you can make a lantern for the sunset Diwali lantern parade in the Museum grounds. Don't forget to bring your own electric tealight to light up your creation!
* Suitable for all ages and abilities

Rangoli Workshop
Time : 11.30am - 4:00pm
Location: Learning Space
Join artist Rohit Rajaguru to create your own rangoli to take home.
* Suitable for all ages and abilities

Beginners Yoga
Time: 12 noon
Location: Great Map 
Join Angie Tiwari for a beginner yoga session under the sky. This is open to all levels incorporating movement, meditation and breathwork.  
You are recommended to wear something comfortable that you can move freely in. Yoga mats will be provided and set up for you, so just bring yourselves and an open mind! 
* Suitable for all ages and abilities

Rajasthani Workshop with Akademie 
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Great Map
If watching Akademie's dancers has got you inspired, join their Rajasthani folk dance workshop and give their moves a go yourself!
* Suitable for all ages and abilities 

Crafts and Workshops for young people:
Shine Your Light customisation Workshop
Time: 11:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Propeller Space
Come along to a customisation workshop inspired by Diwali and focusing on positive affirmations. Come and shine your light!
* Suitable for young people aged 11+

The Alchemy of Identity
Time: 12 noon - 1:00pm and 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Group Space
Inspired by a transpersonal exploration of cultural heritage through creative imagination, poetry, art and collage, create your own personal 'identity flag' reflecting how all your cultural influences come together. 
* Suitable for adults

Future Drape
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Group Space
Mehala Ford, founder of Friday Sari Project Store, will teach you modern sari drape and styling. Bring your own sari along or borrow one to join in.
* Suitable for adults

Talks: 
South Asian Connections in Our Collections | Drop-in
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm and 2:00pm - 3:00pm 
Location: Sammy Ofer Wing
Join a Royal Museums Greenwich curator to see fascinating images from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and beyond. See art and photography from the collection that isn’t currently on display or available online yet.

Art and Spirituality | Drop-in
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: Lecture Theatre 
Join Angie Tiwari for a talk on how she got into yoga and how to utilise your breath to completely change your life.
She will share the power behind our breath, and techniques you can take away to reduce stress, improve your sleep and boost your digestion.  

The Science of Breath 
Time: 1:30pm 
Location: Lecture Theatre 
Join Angie Tiwari for a talk on how she got into yoga and how to utilise your breath to completely change your life.
She will share the power behind our breath, and techniques you can take away to reduce stress, improve your sleep and boost your digestion.  

Displays:
Pioneers: A Renaissance in South Asian Creativity
Great Map | All day
As part of Royal Museums Greenwich’s first celebration connected to South Asian Heritage Month, the Museum commissioned Mehala Ford, founder of CommonGround&, to respond to the representation of South Asian history and culture in the National Maritime Museum.

The result is a series of portraits of South Asian creative individuals, photographed around historic Greenwich, which are now on display.

From musicians and artists to writers, entrepreneurs, directors and designers, all these people are pioneers: breaking new ground and inspiring a renaissance in South Asian creativity.
Learn More

Rangoli by Rohit Rajaguru
Downstairs in the Sammy Ofer Wing | On display from 9th November
Enjoy a beautiful rangoli designed by Rohit Rajaguru.

Art by Shreena
Screens throughout the Museum | All day
Explore beautiful abstract deities and contemporary pieces by Shreena Patel displayed on digital screens at the Museum. 

Lantern Parade 
Time: 4:00pm 
Meeting Point: Departing from the Parkside entrance of the Museum
As the sun sets, join an outdoor parade accompanied by Rhythm N Bass drummers.

The parade will weave through the Museum's grounds, ending with an alternative pop performance by NEO 10Y who will manifest peace and love, and build a collective connection to close the National Maritime Museum's celebration of the Festival of Light.

The parade will have level access, but with some incline. Please bring your own lanterns and electric lights or torches only.