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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 21

Diwali Dance Fest Lights Up Walt Disney World

Resort With More Than 500 Performers And

A Special Performance By Tesher

The fourth annual celebration brought Indian dance, music and culture to EPCOT, Magic

Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

OUR BUREAU “Celebrating Diwali at Walt Dis-
ney World is something I genuinely
Lake Buena Vista, FL
never imagined I’d get to do,” said
ore than 500 dancers from Tesher. “I’ve been a Disney fan my
around the world came whole life, so the fact that I get to per-
Mtogether at Walt Disney form there while celebrating a part of
World Resort for the fourth annual my culture makes this an incredibly
Diwali Dance Fest, a three-day cele- special moment.”
bration of South Asian culture, music For Jashn Productions founder
and dance produced by Jashn Produc- Jeanie Beri, the continued growth of
tions and founder Jeanie Beri. Diwali Dance Fest reflects a larger
Held October 22–25, the festival mission to create spaces where young
brought Diwali celebrations across South Asian performers can see their
Walt Disney World Resort, including culture celebrated on some of the
a Diwali Mela at EPCOT, a grand world’s most recognizable stages.
parade through Magic Kingdom Park “Bringing Diwali to Walt Disney
and an International Dance Showcase World Resort with dancers from all
at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme over the world has truly become so
Park featuring 25 international dance much more meaningful than we ever
studios, a special performance by imagined. The sheer joy that the
global recording artist Tesher and dancers had as they paraded down
hosted by CBS News correspondent Main Street USA along with their
Shanelle Kaul. families & friends cheering for them
Created to give the next genera- really feels like our South Asian com-
tion of South Asian dancers the op- nighttime spectacular, Luminous The the International Dance Showcase, munity is finally seen and celebrated!”
portunity to celebrate their culture Symphony of Us. featuring 25 dance studios and a wide said Beri.
on a mainstream stage, Diwali Dance The following day, more than 500 range of South Asian dance styles. Since its launch, Diwali Dance
Fest has grown into a global gather- performers took over Main Street, CBS News correspondent Shanelle Fest has focused on creating main-
ing for performers and their families, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park for Kaul hosted the showcase, which cul- stream opportunities for South Asian
bringing together traditional and con- the Grand Diwali Parade. Dressed minated in a special live performance performing artists while giving young
temporary dance, music, fashion and in vibrant Indian attire, dancers filled by Tesher. dancers a meaningful way to cele-
community. one of Walt Disney World Resort’s The Canadian-Indian singer, brate their heritage, connect with
The celebration began with the most iconic settings with festive music, songwriter and producer, best known their community and share their cul-
Jashn-E-Magic Diwali Mela at EP- traditional rhythms, color and move- for his global hit “Jalebi Baby,” joined ture with broader audiences.
COT, where dancers and their fami- ment, with Cinderella Castle as their the celebration for a performance that Jashn Productions also an-
lies gathered to kick off the weekend backdrop. brought his signature blend of South nounced, the 5th Anniversary will be
and celebrate Diwali together and The festival continued at Disney’s Asian and Western musical influences held on October 21–24, 2027 hosted
culminated with guests watching the Animal Kingdom Theme Park with to the Diwali Dance Fest stage. again at Walt Disney World® Resort.

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