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San Antonio Diwali marks ties with Chennai
The celebration marks the continued collaboration between San Antonio and Chennai, India, under their Sister-City agreement signed in 2008.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 17, Oct 2025
- 16:56 EDT
- 15
City of San Antonio logo / City of San Antonio
San Antonio’s annual Festival of Lights returns this fall as the city prepares to host the 17th edition of Diwali San Antonio at Hemisfair and the Arneson River Theatre on Nov. 1.
The free public event, organized by AnujaSA in partnership with the City of San Antonio, will run from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, featuring performances, food, art, and cultural displays reflecting India’s diverse traditions.
Also Read: DFW Lights Up: A Roundup of Diwali Events and Festivities
The celebration marks the continued collaboration between San Antonio and Chennai, India, under their Sister-City agreement signed in 2008. The festival, established a year later, has since become one of the largest city-sponsored Diwali celebrations in the United States, drawing tens of thousands of residents and visitors annually.
“The sights, sounds, and spirit of Diwali SA bring India to the heart of Downtown San Antonio,” said Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. “This celebration brings residents and tourists together to have an authentic cultural experience, celebrating the San Antonio–Chennai Sister-City relationship.”
Known globally as the “festival of lights,” Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. In San Antonio, the occasion is marked by the lighting of diyas (clay lamps) and floating candles on the San Antonio River, along with cultural programs that highlight Indian dance, music, and cuisine.
“Diwali SA is a celebration of the vibrant Indian culture, a testament to our shared heritage, and an invitation for all to experience the beauty of unity in diversity,” said AnujaSA president Kausi Subramaniam.
She noted that the 2025 edition will include traditional performances as well as an interactive AI booth presented by the University of Texas at San Antonio, showcasing how technology intersects with cultural heritage.
The partnership between AnujaSA and the Global Engagement Division of the city’s Economic Development Department has been central to sustaining the San Antonio–Chennai relationship. The collaboration has supported exchanges in arts, culture, education, business, and medicine, as well as student and professional delegations between the two cities.
“The annual Diwali SA is a City-sponsored and City-sanctioned event which has brought many community partners together through sponsorships, volunteers, and the creativity of our Indian residents and neighbors,” said Sherry Dowlatshahi, chief diplomacy and protocol officer for the City’s Economic Development Department. “It brings a flavor of India to San Antonio.”
Over the years, Diwali SA has expanded from a modest cultural showcase into a large-scale citywide festival, featuring classical and folk performances representing different regions of India, live art demonstrations, and an Indian marketplace offering handcrafted goods and cuisine. The event traditionally concludes with a fireworks display over downtown San Antonio.
The choice of Hemisfair as the venue underscores the city’s emphasis on cultural diplomacy and inclusion. Developed originally for the 1968 World’s Fair, Hemisfair has evolved into a major civic and cultural hub. During Diwali SA, its plazas and walkways are illuminated with candles and lanterns, symbolizing the festival’s central message of light prevailing over darkness.
Beyond its cultural significance, the event also serves as a platform for international engagement. According to city officials, Diwali SA exemplifies how community partnerships contribute to public diplomacy and economic ties, reflecting San Antonio’s broader commitment to global outreach through its Sister-City network.
Since its inception, AnujaSA has played a key role in promoting cross-cultural understanding between San Antonio and Chennai. In addition to Diwali SA, the organization has coordinated exchanges in healthcare, education, and the arts, and has mobilized support for humanitarian efforts such as Chennai flood relief in 2015.
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