October 20 | 3–6pm | 213 Water Street | Free
Join the Seaport Museum and The Culture Tree for festive activities to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Diwali, named for the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that light up homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness, also marks the start of the Hindu New Year.
From 3pm to 6pm, decorate your own “diya lamp”—or in this case, a battery-operated candle—on the cobblestones of Water Street outside of the Museum and float it in a special pool, symbolizing prosperity for the new year. Also on the cobbles, but from 3pm to 5pm, visit a henna artist for a special decorative keepsake.
At 4pm, we will head into the Museum’s first-floor Maritime City exhibition gallery for Diwali Puppet Storytime, where we’ll explore the significance and origins of Diwali and how it’s celebrated worldwide. We’ll also read stories like A Kids Book About Diwali, perfect for children and families.
Following Storytime, at 5pm, we will jump into an interactive dance workshop and performance in which you will experience and dance to popular Diwali songs, music, and stories. Attendees will learn mudras (hand gestures) from classical dance forms and dance to beautiful Diwali songs.
In addition to these exciting, all-ages activities, enjoy free access to the Seaport Museum’s Maritime City exhibition and explore the unique letterpress printshop Bowne & Co., Stationers, which will even have something special for you to print using the Museum’s 19th century printing press!
Preregistration is encouraged. Walkups will be accommodated as possible. Access to Bowne & Co. includes walking up and down a few stairs. This program will be photographed by the Seaport Museum for marketing purposes. By registering for the event you are consenting for you and anyone in your group to be included in these photographs.
Please Note This is a Past Program, Event, or Activity
You are viewing an archived page for a program, event, or activity that has already taken place. In most cases these pages are no longer actively maintained and because of that may contain inaccurate or out-of-date information. These pages are left publicly viewable to preserve institutional memory and to allow the public to learn more about the types of programs, activities, and content created and made available by the South Street Seaport Museum throughout its history.
About The Culture Tree
The Culture Tree promotes cultural literacy about South Asia through language and educational and cultural programs. The Culture Tree’s goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards all different cultures and further inclusivity, while still helping address questions about identity with heritage cultures.
A Brief Explanation of Diwali
Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights, held in the period October to November. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
About Maritime City
The Seaport Museum’s latest exhibition Maritime City highlights how New York City, as we know it today, arose from the sea. Throughout the extensive three-floor exhibition, 540 deliberately-selected objects on view underscore how the city’s identity as a global capital of culture and finance is rooted in its origins as a seaport. By sharing the material culture of New York and its people, the exhibition highlights stories of the working class people employed by ships, shipping lines, and other local industries throughout history, as well as the emigrant workers and immigrant families that came through the port as their first stop in America.
About Bowne & Co.
Established by Robert Bowne in 1775, Bowne & Co. holds the distinction of being New York’s oldest operating business under the same name. After growing as a financial printer throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Bowne & Co. Inc. partnered with the Seaport Museum in 1975 to open a 19th century-style print shop at 211 Water Street in the South Street Seaport Historic District. Today, it is comprised of the Bowne & Co. Printing Office—a workspace that continues the age-old tradition of job (or small batch) printing using historic presses from South Street Seaport Museum’s working collection—and Bowne & Co. Stationers, a 19th century-style emporium selling gifts and fine goods.
Enjoy More That the Museum Offers
Access to the Maritime City exhibition in A.A. Thomson & Co. is included with your ticket to this event. Access to the additional historic ships and exhibitions on view is not included. If you would like to explore more that the Museum has to offer, book in advance or ask Museum staff about General Admission tickets when you check in.
General Admission is available Friday through Sunday, from 11am to 5pm and brings you aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16, and into all current exhibitions on view in the first-floor Schermerhorn Row galleries at 12 Fulton Street. Your ticket also sets you on course to explore Maritime City, the Seaport Museum’s immersive, three-floor exhibition at A.A. Thomson & Co., located at 213 Water Street.
Ready for more?
Head over to our Programs and Events page to see what else is happening at the Museum. Sign up for an upcoming talk, learn more about visiting Wavertree, or explore our virtual offerings.