Council prepares for scaled-back Diwali celebration

Preparations for scaled-back Diwali festivities in Leicester are under way.

Leicester City Council previously confirmed its traditional Festival of Light celebrations would be reduced from two events to one as part of cost-cutting plans.

The lights switch-on event has been cancelled and the authority will instead focus on an event in Belgrave Road on Diwali day, 31 October.

However, thousands of lights will still illuminate the busy street and the council has promised a programme of activities leading up to the annual firework display.

Vi Dempster, the authority's assistant city mayor for culture, said: "Diwali day is always a special time in Leicester and this year will be no exception.

"As usual, we are extending a warm welcome to everyone who wants to join us, and we look forward to sharing our celebrations with you."

The celebrations will start at 15:00 GMT on 31 October with a "Diwali village" opening in Cossington Street Recreation Ground, off Belgrave Road.

The city council said the park would host a children's funfair and food and drinks stalls, along with a display of decorative sculptures illuminated by fire.

An exhibition showcasing Rangoli - an art form which uses colourful powders and chalk to create patterns, often seen on the doorsteps of households celebrating Diwali - will open at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre at 16:00.

Live entertainment will then take place on the main stage in the park from 17:00, the council said.

Belgrave Road and its connecting junctions will be closed from 17:00.

Entertainment along the main road will include a DJ truck, street art and processions throughout the evening, the authority added.

The firework display, marking the finale to the celebrations, will start at about 19:30.

The Wheel of Light opened ahead of Diwali day, on Saturday, and will run until 2 November.

The Belgrave Road lights will also be switched on before Diwali day, according to the city council.

However, no date has been confirmed for when the lights will be on from.

Ms Dempster said a "wide range of events" would take place across the city in the weeks leading up to Diwali.

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