CARIBBEAT: Bright lights of Diwali holiday to shine brightly at events around New York

With heaps of splendor and tradition, Diwali — the Hindu “festival of lights” holiday — will be commemorated by Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers and supporters around the city.

The annual Diwali Motorcade and concert will take place Saturday , from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., in Queens — home to a sizable, vibrant Indo-Caribbean community.AdvertisementPlay Video

Presented by the Divya Jyoti Association, the event is a 20-block parade of divinity-, light- and hope-themed floats and costumed children, culminating with performances by dramatic and dance groups, Indo-Caribbean musicians and vocalists.

After religious rituals at 3 p.m., the motorcade starts at 5:30 p.m. from 104-22 133rd St. in Richmond Hill. At 7:30 p.m., the performances begin at the the Arya Spiritual Center Grounds on 133rd St. near Liberty Ave. — not far from Sybil’s Bakery and Restaurant’s Liberty Ave. location. There will also be displays by community groups and local vendors.

“Diwali Nagar NYC 2019, An Expression of Love for the Divine,” comes to Maracas nightclub, 121-08 Jamaica Ave., Oct. 22, 23 and 24 with the Miss Diwali NYC Pageant, a Children’s Corner of arts and crafts, and a number of musical performers each day.

Presented by Onsa Entertainment, performers headlining the cast of entertainers in Diwali Nagar NYC include Ranjeev Ramdeen on Oct. 22; Rikki Jai on Oct. 23, and Ravi B on Oct. 24, with music provided by Naya Fasana Band. Chutney soca singer Sassy Ramoutar will host the event along with businessman and community leader Ravi Ramkeesoon.

Admission is free. For information on “Diwali Nagar NYC 2019” send email to onsaentertainment@gmail.com or call Maracas at (718) 848-7171[More New York] SEE IT: Cops seek duo in come-from-behind Upper West Side mugging »

Revered by followers of the Indian religions of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and most Buddhists, Diwali is celebrated by the descendants of Indian immigrants living in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana — where the festival has holiday status. And accordingly, the sizable Indo-Caribbean population in Queens stays true to the festival.

The celebration of Diwali is not new for Maracas, which was part of the business empire founded by the late Caribbean-born entrepreneur Mohan Jaikaran. Jaikaran, who also founded WINTV and WIN Radio 101 and used his enterprises to commemorate Diwali and other East Indian traditions popular among Caribbean immigrants in New York and beyond.

In Manhattan, the Diwali Family Celebration — featuring a special performance and patrons decorating traditional clay oil lamps — will be held Oct. 27 at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. (at 103rd St.), from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.[More New York] Chipotle manager accused of raping worker who says she was also sexually harassed during sexual harassment training session: lawsuit »

The event is free with museum admission, but registration is suggested. Visit mcny.org and search for “Diwali Family Celebration” for registration and information.