The12th annual Dashehra Diwali Mela will take place on Saturday 14 October 2017 and will be held in Albert Square Manchester.

The action packed day featuring food, live music, crafts and dance starts at 2pm and will close with a bang at 9pm as fireworks and special effects light up Albert Square in an exciting finale show.

Organised by the Indian Association Manchester, the Mela event features an impressive programme of live entertainment on two stages as well as in Albert Square with performances by the Global Grooves, Bollywood Brass Band, music by Channi Singh OBE and Mona Singh, Nachda Sansaar Bhangra dancers, classical dance by Annapurna Indian Dance Company, Explosive Band Baja and BrotherHood Punjabi singers and much more.

At dusk, around 7.00pm, a lantern procession will set off from Manchester Central Library where around 200 children from Greater Manchester schools will take part with lanterns made in schools at pre-event workshops. Larger than life characters including a Tiger puppet, crane puppets, large lanterns of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, Rainbow dancers and Global Grooves Desi Carnival with fantastic Indian music.

Lantern workshops on 7 and 14 October from 11.00am to 1.30pm and 2pm to 4pm at Manchester Central Library will offer an opportunity to anyone wishing to make their own lantern and take part in the procession. The finale performance will follow the lantern procession. The finale ‘A Blessing from Durga’ by the renowned outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank will follow the lantern procession.

Dashehra Diwali Mela, a colourful, exciting and free event in Manchester city centre is for all to enjoy regardless of age, culture or background. There is always a fantastic atmosphere at this event as different communities from across the city celebrate together.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to book a stall visit the website www.dashehradiwali.co.uk or contact Mrs. Raj Dutta, telephone 07941 769 621, email diwalimela@yahoo.co.uk.

Dashehra Diwali Mela is supported by Manchester City Council, Arts Council England, Southways Housing Trust, Lycaremit, Dutchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund and many other local organisations and businesses.