The dark nights have fully arrived, time to embrace warm hats, scarves, gloves and enjoy all the beautiful sunsets we are getting at the moment. With the dark nights, we also get some of the most fun festivals and celebrations, including both Halloween/Samhuinn and Bonfire Night this week…and Diwali. Lots to celebrate !!

Diwali is an Indian Festival of Lights and this festival on Saturday is sure to be spectacular. Edinburgh Diwali is an initiative by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh to bring Diwali-Festival of Lights, the most famous Indian Festival to Edinburgh so that the mainstream community can Share, Participate and Celebrate this beautiful festival.

Dancers, music, lanterns, fireworks, puppets and four giant Hindu Gods will mark Edinburgh’s celebration of the South Asian Festival of Light.

Starting with a parade at 2pm from outside the City Chambers on the Royal Mile. The parade will feature four giant Hindu Gods: Ganesha, the Elephant God; Hanuman, the Monkey God and Commander in Chief of Rama’s Army; Shiva, God that destroys and transforms the Universe and the centrepiece float of Rama’s Horse-drawn Chariot carrying Rama, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman and Hanuman returning from exile after killing Demon God Ravana.

At the end of the Edinburgh Diwali Parade (around 3.30pm) the Diwali celebrations move onto The Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens for performances ranging from A Taste of Bollywood to a dramatic enactment of the Return of Rama from Exile. Edinburgh Diwali Celebrations start around 4.15pm.

Dancers will be performing dances from different parts of India will be joined by Highland Dancers and members of Scottish Ballet in a grand finale of a multicultural fusion of dance styles.

There will be a grand finale of fireworks at 7pm !