Courtesy of Tim Correira Photography.
Courtesy of Tim Correira Photography.
Diwali
5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Join us for an evening of art, performances, and activities in celebration of Diwali! This ancient festival of lights is observed around the world by many cultures and religions. On Diwali, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains—some of the world’s oldest religious groups—light a diya (oil lamp) with family and friends, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Catch music and dance, make art, tour the galleries of South Asian art, and more.
Special Admission Pricing After 5 pm
Enjoy $5 minimum, pay-what-you-wish general admission during our Diwali celebration (available in person day of, starting at 5 pm). Learn about discounted admission to the MFA on the third Thursday of every month.
Events and Activities
Community Partners Fair
5–8:30 pm
Shapiro Family Courtyard
Meet with some of our community partners, including the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK) and artist Sunanda Sahay.
Get resources from ATASK and learn about the organization’s work in the Boston community.
Enjoy a showcase of Mithila/Madhubani art, organized by Sahay and featuring work by ten of her students. Mithila or Madhubani art dates back to North India 2,500 years ago. Primarily practiced by women and passed down through generations, this beautiful tradition continues to this day, especially during Diwali. Learn more about Sahay’s work and Mithila/Madhubani art.
Drop-in Art Making: Painted Tiles
5–9 pm (last entry 8:45 pm)
Druker Family Pavillion, Linde Family Wing
Get inspired by decorative arts from the Museum’s collections on view in Gallery 183. Then play with color while decorating a white ceramic tile with patterns, lotus flowers, or images that have special meaning to you!
Three in 30
5:30 and 7 pm
Meet in Sharf Visitor Center
Take a 30-minute tour exploring three objects in the MFA collection that highlight and connect to Diwali!
ASL interpreter available at 5:30 pm
The Art of Henna
5:30 and 7 pm
Riley Seminar Room
Meet local artist Manisha Trivedi from the Henna Café and delve into the cultural significance and artistry of henna as she demonstrates the power of its application. Then get your own mandala-inspired temporary tattoo!
ASL interpreter available at 7 pm
Rhythms of Durga
6 and 7 pm
Shapiro Family Courtyard
Experience a vibrant dance performance celebrating the power, grace, and divinity of the Hindu goddess Maa Durga. Blending tradition with a modern touch, this performance also honors the eternal spirit of Shakti, the force that inspires courage, compassion, and transformation. Presented by Natyamani School of Dance.
“Divine Color” Exhibition Preview
6:15–6:45 pm
Riley Seminar Room
Join Laura Weinstein, Ananda Coomaraswamy Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art, and be among the first to get a sneak-peek at “Divine Color: Hindu Prints from Modern Bengal,” an exhibition opening in January 2026. Learn about the print technology that changed Indian pop culture, religion, and society.
ASL interpreter available
Sounds of the Veena
6:15 and 7:15 pm
Gallery 103
Enjoy a captivating performance by Durga Krishnan, a virtuoso of the Saraswati veena and renowned Carnatic musician and pedagogue. Each performance features a demonstration of the veena along with an insightful discussion of the history of this ancient instrument and South Indian musical traditions.
SubDrift Community Showcase
6:30–7:30 pm
Gallery 168
Join members of Subcontinental Drift (SubDrift) Boston, part of a national movement building South Asian creative communities, for an exciting showcase of poetry, music, dance, and storytelling. Reflect on how Diwali and the arts create social and spiritual uplift. The showcase ends with a baraat, a celebratory procession, leaving from Gallery 168 and ending in Shapiro Family Courtyard.
The Sounds of SubDrift
7:50–8:30 pm
Shapiro Family Courtyard
Join members of SubDrift Boston for a special showcase of music, featuring Hindustani classical vocalists Aditya Rohit Shah and Swati Sharma.
Boston Bhangra with a Hint of Bollywood Superstars
8:30 pm
Shapiro Family Courtyard
Immerse yourself the power and grace of bhangra, a folk dance from the Punjab region of India that has been described as a merger of hip-hop and cheerleading—with a folk twist. Presented by Boston Bhangra, a nonprofit that promotes cultural awareness and mentorship for children.
Dining Specials
Enjoy a two- or three-course prix fixe menu at New American Café inspired by Diwali. Looking for a snack? Head to Taste for vegetable samosas, chicken and paneer tikka masala, aloo gobi, and naan. Learn more about dining at the MFA.
Wheelchair accessible
Bag Checks
All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff. Backpacks, large bags, all liquids including hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and outside food or drink are not permitted. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. All bags are strongly discouraged, and any bags larger than 11” x 15” must be checked in the Coat Room upon entry. Read our full bag check policy.
