As the nights draw longer, Sampad are proud to announce a a vibrant and varied programme for Diwali. Join us to mark the Festival of Lights with dance, music, family celebrations, schools performances and workshops.
Headline Performances
Midday Mantra: Diwali Special
Saturday 25th October 2025, with workshops at 12pm and performances at 1pm
First up we have a very special Midday Mantra. Bring your family and friends and get involved with free craft workshops at the Symphony Hall, before world-class musicians and dancers take to the stage. Midday Mantra: Diwali Special promises a celebratory and uplifting programme – perhaps even getting you up and dancing!
This is the first of Sampad’s new Midday Mantra series, which runs from October 2025 to September 2026. Multi buy offers are available for the new season. This renowned series of lunchtime concerts is a journey into the soul-stirring melodies that define South Asian music, providing enriching cultural experiences for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more and book your tickets today.
Ujala at Midlands Arts Centre
Wednesday 5th November 2025, 7pm
Welcome in the autumn and bring light to the dark with a beautiful evening of Indian Classical dance. Sampad are inviting talented dancers from across the region to present a garland of styles from Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi to Kuchipudi and Yakshagana.
Deeply rooted in tradition and mythology, Ujala promises a vibrant and expressive performance, sharing the rich cultural heritage of dance. Our full line up of dancers will be announced in October 2025. See more and book your spot.
Lunchtime Celebrations
Festival of Lights with University of Birmingham India Institute
Monday 20th October 2025, 12pm
Sampad are delighted to be partnering again with the University of Birmingham India Institute for a vibrant celebration of Diwali with their staff and students. Audiences can live Indian classical music, get creative with diya lamp painting workshops and experience traditional henna hand painting. Sampad artists include renowned sitar player Akash Parekar and talented multi-discplinary artist Jaya Khazaei.
This free celebration takes place the University of Birmingham’s Aston Webb building, and all are welcome to join. Learn more here.
Diwali at Mailbox: Lunchtime Concerts with Sampad
Tuesday 21st October 2025, 12pm-12.45pm and 1.15pm-2pm
In another exciting partnership for 2025, we are working with Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces and the Mailbox. Bring style, culture and connection to your lunchtime with 2 free concerts. Featuring highly acclaimed musicians Rekesh Chauhan BEM and Rohan Roy, this will be the perfect fusion of music and festive spirit. Read more about our artists here.
Schools Opportunities
Ujala – A Celebration of Diwali October 2025
Last remaining schools slots on Wednesday 15th and Friday 17th October 2025
As always, our Learning Team are ready with brilliant offer for our schools, to truly celebrate Diwali: Festival of Lights in style! Following on from the success of ‘Spirit of Light’, this new interactive performance explores the stories and traditions of Diwali through storytelling, dance and
music.
For Year 2 and above, the performance and workshop lasts 50-60 minute and suitable for up to 3 classes (90 children) at a time. We explore some of the less well known stories of Diwali, and share traditions that Hindu and Sikh families follow to mark this celebration. The audiences then split into 3 group, with each group having taster workshops in dance, music or art, before coming together to share their learning.
We have our final remaining slots for schools on Wednesday 15th and Friday 17th October 2025. Contact learning@sampad.org.uk to find out more.
