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Thousands gathered to celebrate Diwali SA at Hemisfair on Saturday.
The 17th annual Diwali Festival in San Antonio celebrated the sister-city relationship between San Antonio and Chennai, India.
Sister-cities are partnerships between two communities in different countries that facilitate cultural and social exchange.
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Diwali San Antonio attendees pose for a photo upon their arrival to the festival
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Diwali festival attendees gather at the Arneson River Theatre to watch the River Parade of Indian States
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Dancers performs for the Classical Dances of India show at the Arneson River Theatre
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Children's traditional Indian clothes are on display at the India Bazaar for Diwali Festival
Saile Aranda / TPR
This Diwali celebration coincided with the Day of the Dead celebrations in the city and allowed visitors to experience different cultures at the same time.
“I’ve been coming to [Diwali] for years, and every year is bigger and bolder, and I love that it happens around Dia de los Muertos—because there’s all these festivities and celebrating different cultures around the same couple of weeks,” said Cecilia Cross who has attended Diwali SA for six years with her partner Shiel Patel.
The Arneson River Theatre at La Villita Historic Arts Village had a full house to enjoy the Classical Dances of India and the River Parade that showcased floats representing several states of India.
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The floats drive by the Arneson River Theatre for the River Parade of Indian States
Saile Aranda / TPR
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A dance group performs for the Classical Dances of India show at the Arneson River Theatre
Saile Aranda / TPR
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The River Parade of Indian States narrated by District one councilmember Sukh Kaur
Saile Aranda / TPR
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A classical Indian dance group rehearse before their show
Saile Aranda / TPR
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The "Tamil Nadu" float drives by the Arneson River Theatre for the River Parade of Indian States
Saile Aranda / TPR
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The "India Association of San Antonio" float drives by the Arneson River Theatre for the River Parade of Indian States
Saile Aranda / TPR
Later that night, the Diya Ceremony lit up the Riverwalk as attendees gently placed candles that floated on the river.
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Attendees carefully set down candles on the San Antonio River for the Diya Ceremony
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Preparations are made for the Diya Ceremony in which participants are allowed to light up their candle and set it gently on the San Antonio River
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Attendees carefully set down candles on the San Antonio River for the Diya Ceremony
Saile Aranda / TPR
After an evening enjoying the arts, people crossed South Alamo Street to continue the celebration at Hemisfair. The aroma of authentic Indian food invited attendees to try some popular dishes from South Asia. Civic Park was crowded with audiences enjoying Bollywood films and the India Bazaar that featured authentic Indian attire, jewelry and art.
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A Diwali attendee tries on a saree, a traditional Indian piece of fabric that can be styled in different ways
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Tastes of India settles next to the Magik Theatre. The food stands offer a variety of traditional Indian foods and snacks with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Small Indian businesses dazzle the Diwali attendees with colorful jewlery and clothes at the India Bazaar
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Tastes of India settles next to the Magik Theatre. The food stands offer a variety of traditional Indian foods and snacks with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
Saile Aranda / TPR
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Diwali Festival attendees watch the Nighttime Spectacular show at the Civic Park Stage.
Saile Aranda / TPR
The party went on until midnight — with attendees showing their pride in San Antonio’s multiculturalism.
“[Diwali] is not just for Indian people, it’s for everybody that wants to come in and celebrate a different culture than what they’re used to here in San Antonio,” said Sheil Patel.
