More than 50,000 people gathered at Langley Park along the Swan River in Perth on October 31 and November 1, 2026, for a two-day Diwali celebration featuring cultural performances, food, entertainment and fireworks, according to organizers.
The annual Diwali Mela was organized by the Indian Society of Western Australia (ISWA), which describes itself as the peak body representing more than 150 Indian associations across Western Australia. ISWA said more than 500 volunteers helped run the Mela, which featured performances by 16 multicultural groups.
Opening the Mela on Saturday, ISWA President Divya Sharma said the society was marking 59 years and that over almost three decades the Mela “has grown from a small gathering into one of Western Australia’s major cultural celebrations.” Sharma added, “Diwali reminds us that light is strongest when it is shared.”
Western Australian Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti told the crowd that “around the world at this time, hundreds of millions of people are celebrating” Diwali, describing it as a time to “honor light over darkness” and to celebrate “light, love, joy, and togetherness.”
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Saffioti congratulated ISWA, its committee and volunteers on what she called “a massive exercise,” and said the state government was “very excited about the upgrades” to ISWA’s community center. “We know you’re a growing community, and this center is going to help you continue to grow,” she said.
She said the Indian community across the state’s suburbs and regions was “contributing to our economy, contributing to our society,” and gave a special welcome to Indian community members from her own electorate of West Swan.
Multicultural Interests Minister Jessica Stojkovski, attending what she called Western Australia’s biggest Diwali celebration for the first time in that role, reflected on “how lucky we are to be on the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan celebrating Diwali tonight,” using the Noongar name for the Swan River. “The energy of Diwali Mela is alive and well in Langley Park tonight,” she said, giving a shout out to Labor colleagues who attended “in style, in traditional dress.”
Addressing the elected representatives in the crowd, Sharma thanked them for attending “regardless of where you sit on the parliamentary benches or across the political spectrum,” and said multiculturalism “is not just a word we use in speeches” but “something we build together, through relationships, respect and action.”
Other guests over the two days included Consul General of India in Perth Kajari Biswas, Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds, federal parliamentarians and members of both houses of the Western Australian Parliament.
Biswas thanked the ISWA organizing team for delivering what she described as a major event on Perth’s calendar, “drawing thousands to celebrate the Festival of Lights together with family and friends.” She also acknowledged the Western Australian Government, particularly the office of Multicultural Interests Minister Jessica Stojkovski, for its continued support of the Indian community.
Skydiving, Cultural Performances and Festivities Along the Swan River
The Perth Skydiving Team descended on both days carrying a large Australian flag, accompanied by scarves in the colors of the Indian flag.
ISWA said the cultural program included a Garba performance by more than 80 dancers on Saturday, while Sunday’s multicultural welcome procession featured Japanese taiko drummers and Chenda Melam, a traditional percussion ensemble from Kerala, India.
The event also featured vegetarian Indian food stalls, cultural exhibitions, shopping and community information stalls, alongside family activities including golf simulators, a West Coast Eagles activation zone, face painting, henna and a large photo booth. A raffle offered 20 prizes valued at more than $17,000 in total, organizers said.
The Mela was supported by the Western Australian Government, the Office of Multicultural Interests, Lotterywest and the City of Perth.
Diwali Mela 2026 Coordinator Arun V. Nair, who also serves as ISWA Vice President, thanked the community, member associations, sponsors, partners and volunteers for their contributions to the event. “Your incredible support and dedication made it possible. Thank you, Perth!” he said.
Turning to younger attendees, Sharma encouraged them to “take a moment to understand why your parents and grandparents work so hard to keep these traditions alive,” noting that although they may speak different languages at home, celebrate different festivals and eat different foods, “they are becoming friends, learning from one another and building a shared future.”
The celebrations concluded with fireworks over the Swan River on both evenings, a week ahead of Diwali itself on November 8.
