Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and the joy of coming together as a community.
On Saturday 7 November, join us to celebrate the festival of lights with an evening filled with music, colour, and connection. This special performance captures the essence of Diwali through live music, inspired by Dr. Sarita McHarg, a curator and former Peninsula Hot Springs Artist In Residence. Her cultural ethos of light, generosity, and abundance is shown through her collaborative ensemble, The Resonant Heart, and special guests.
Set against the natural beauty of Peninsula Hot Springs, this special Diwali performance invites guests to slow down, listen deeply, and share a moment of connection across cultures. Discover our full program below and join us for the celebration.
Our Diwali program
Henna body art | 12pm to 3pm
Embrace the artistry of henna with traditional body art created by an experienced henna artist. Choose from intricate designs inspired by Indian traditions and adorn your hands with a beautiful expression of celebration.
Held in our Fire and Ice Dome. Complimentary to enjoy with your bathing experience.
Ayurvedic tea ceremony | 3pm to 4pm
Pause, reflect and connect to your inner being through the ancient Ayurvedic tradition of tea. Discover the rituals and wisdom behind this mindful practice as you enjoy a carefully prepared blend designed to nourish the senses and invite a moment of calm.
Taking place in our Tea Dome. Complimentary to enjoy with your bathing experience.
Diwali Hot Springs Yoga | 5:30pm to 6pm
Take part in a gentle yoga practice inspired by the spirit of Diwali. Surrounded by the warmth and stillness of the hot springs, this restorative session offers a moment of welcome light, renewal and inner connection.
Held in our Amphitheatre hot springs. Complimentary to enjoy with your bathing experience.
Diwali Gala Performance with The Resonant Heart | 7:15pm to 8:30pm
As night falls, gather beneath the stars at our Amphitheatre for a special Diwali performance by artistic group The Resonant Heart. Bringing together music, poetry, and storytelling from Bosnian, Sephardic, Indian, and Iranian traditions, performed in Nuer, Hindi, Bosnian, Serbian, and Farsi, this powerful cross-cultural collective celebrates the many voices, stories, and traditions that connect us. Indian composer and former Artist in Residence Sarita McHarg composes and performs this kaleidoscope of original works in collaboration with Vahideh Eisaei, Lizzy Kuoth and SARAY Iluminado Femme, including vocalist Nela Trifkovic and instrumentalists Irine Vela and Kelly Dowall, with dramaturgy by Elnaz Sheshgelani.
About Diwali
During Diwali celebrations, the Festival of Lights comes alive as communities decorate their homes, streets and public places with bright oil lamps, candles and colourful lights all heightened with a spectacular display of fireworks, illuminating the night sky. Gift-giving and feasting is a gesture of love and affection, and prayers and rituals take place across temples as communities seek divine blessings and guidance.
New beginnings are revered during Diwali, with the festival considered an auspicious time to start new ventures and settle old debts. It is believed that starting something new during this time brings good fortune and luck for the year ahead.