Thousands expected to attend huge Diwali event

The Diwali Mela celebration will include live music and dancing

Thousands of people are expected to attend a huge Diwali celebration featuring live music, dancing and a fireworks display later.

About 8,000 people attended the Diwali Mela last year and people have been advised to plan early for this year's event as the site has a capacity of 9,000 people, a council spokesperson added.

The free festival will take place between 16:00 and 20:30 BST at Phoenix Park in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton with fireworks at 20:00.

Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and is a major religious festival for people of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths.

About 8,000 people attended the celebration in Phoenix Park in November 2023

The festival falls on 1 November this year.

Councillor Chris Burden, from City of Wolverhampton Council said: “This is a fantastic free event for all the family, featuring top quality entertainment and a fantastic firework display and we encourage everyone to plan early and come along to celebrate this important event in the city’s calendar.”

Hosted by the Shri Krishan Mandir, the event will feature performances from headliners Pargan Bhandal and Roshni Pink.

Other guest performers performing on the night include Prem Chamkila, Hit The Dhol, Jodie Dancers, Jagdish, Arun Verma and Mr Tejinder, the council added.

A fireworks display will follow the lights switch-on at 20:00 BST