• By Mabel Pais

The South Street Seaport Museum presents Diwali Celebration on Friday, November 1, 2024 from 11am-6pm. Join the Seaport Museum and The Culture Tree for a full day of free Seaport Museum admission and 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. Free general admission can be booked at southstreetseaportmuseum.org/diwali.

From 11am to 6pm, step aboard the Seaport Museum’s 1885 tall ship ‘Wavertree’ for hands-on Diwali fun! Create your own baggywrinkle decoration inspired by marigold garlands, a symbol of good fortune and faith, but with a maritime twist. Plus, decorate your own “diya lamp”—or in this case, a candle—and float it in a special pool on deck, symbolizing prosperity for the new year. The Museum is staying open one hour later so that you can enjoy the glow of your diya lamp after sunset.

From 4pm to 6pm, enjoy Diwali Puppet Storytime on ‘Wavertree’ and explore the significance and origins of Diwali and how it’s celebrated worldwide. Read stories like ‘A Kids Book About Diwali,’ perfect for children and families. Following Storytime, dive into an interactive dance workshop where you’ll learn mudras (hand gestures) from classical Indian dance and groove to popular Diwali songs in a lively performance!

EXHIBITIONS

In addition to these exciting, all-ages activities, enjoy free access to the Seaport Museum’s current exhibitions at 12 Fulton Street and explore the 1885 tall ship ‘Wavertree.’ Timed tickets for a free tour of the 1908 lightship ‘Ambrose’ are also available.

The Culture Tree

The Culture Tree promotes cultural literacy about South Asia through language and educational & cultural programs. Their goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards all different cultures and further inclusivity, while still helping address questions about Identity with heritage cultures.

The Culture Tree partners with museums, galleries, schools and libraries to implement their classes and programming. Their programs include celebration of key festivals and events, puppet shows, bi-lingual storytime, mindful eating, mindfulness and language classes in key South Asian languages.

They are also cultural & diversity consultants and advocate for cultural literacy and diversity & equity in children’s programming and education. Learn more at theculturetree.com.

The 1885 Tall Ship ‘Wavertree’

‘Wavertree’ was built at Southampton, England, in 1885 and, after a 24-year sailing career and circumnavigating the globe at least three times, is now the last remaining iron-hulled three-masted full-rigged cargo ship. Today, ‘Wavertree’ serves as the iconic centerpiece of the bustling waterfront that shaped New York City into a modern metropolis. Learn more at southstreetseaportmuseum.org/about-wavertree 

The South Street Seaport Museum

The South Street Seaport Museum, located in the heart of the historic seaport district in New York City, preserves and interprets the history of New York as a great port city. Founded in 1967, the Museum houses an extensive collection of works of art and artifacts, a maritime reference library, exhibition galleries and education spaces, working 19th century print shops, and an active fleet of historic vessels that all work to tell the story of ‘Where New York Begins.’ Learn more at southstreetseaportmuseum.org/about-wavertree

Connect with the Museum

#SouthStreetSeaportMuseum #WhereNewYorkBegins

@SouthStreetSeaportMuseum – Facebook

@seaportmuseum – Instagram

@seaportmuseum – X

@seaportmuseum – TikTok

CULTURE TREE EVENTS

Culture creates multi-sensorial Diwali events that are educational and experiential. Event options include:

– Puppet Show

– Dance Performance and Workshop

– Mithai making/tasting

– Book-reading with Dance Performance

– Henna Tattoo

– Art workshop (a variety of options)

Learn more at theculturetree.com/events. 

Other Events Happening In and Outside NYC

October 26, 1-4pm, Asia Society – Diwali Celebration

October 26: All Day Bronx Children’s Museum – Diwali

October 26 and 27, Boston, MA, Puppet Show Theater – Ramleela and Amrita’s Tree puppet show

Nov 1, 11.30-12.30 NYPL, 53rd St – Puppet Show, Book Reading, Art

Nov 1, All Day, Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) – Diwali celebration

Nov 1, Afternoon, South Street Seaport Museum – Create and Float your Diya, Dance performance and Puppet Storytime

Nov 2, 10 am, Ganesh Temple – Diwali Puja, Mithai Tasting and Storytime (almost full)

Nov 3, India Cultural Center, Greenwich, CT –  Puppet Show and Art Activity

Nov 5, 1.30pm NYPL, Riverside – Puppet Storytime and Art

Nov 7, Brooklyn Children’s Museum – Dances of India, Storytime, Art and Mithai Making 

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Business, and Education)