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Diwali parade lights up Disney World Resort
The third annual event was organized by Jashn Productions.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 17, Oct 2025
- 16:55 EDT
- 60
Diwali Dance Fest at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park / Courtesy: P. Taufiq Photography
Cinderella Castle came alive with lights and dance as Walt Disney World Resort hosted its first-ever Diwali parade at Magic Kingdom Park.
The parade concluded this month's third annual Diwali Dance Fest, which featured over 500 dancers from various countries and was organized by Jashn Productions and produced by Jeanie Beri.
“You could see the pride in each dancer’s eyes as they had the view of the castle while they were dancing. We are so proud to represent our culture in such a beautiful way,” said Jashn Productions director, Jeanie Beri.
Also Read: DFW Lights Up: A Roundup of Diwali Events and Festivities
“Celebrating the magic of Diwali was truly a dream come true. Jashn Productions is looking forward to giving the next generation of dancers more opportunities in mainstream venues and also hopes to create a sense of community and teach the importance of inclusivity,” she added.
The three-day event began on Oct. 9 with a Diwali Mela, which included Indian food, henna art, a dance party, and photo sessions with Mickey and Minnie. It continued at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the Dance Fest Showcase, featuring 25 teams from countries such as the United States, South Africa, and New Zealand performing classical, folk, and Bollywood dance forms.
Indian-American comedian and screenwriter Zarna Garg hosted the showcase and performed a three-part comedy act. She also recorded a live episode of 'The Zarna Garg Family Podcast' during the event.
“Diwali Dance Fest is an exuberant, joyful, and deeply impactful celebration of culture and community,” Garg said. “The Zarna Garg Family Podcast was honored to be a part of this year’s unbelievably talented lineup of performers. This event is so full of love and hope.”
The festival ended with a Diwali parade featuring over 500 dancers in Indian attire performing to Bollywood and traditional music. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Desai Foundation, a nonprofit that supports women and children in rural India through health, livelihood, and menstrual equity programs.
Jashn Productions, founded by Jeanie Beri, aims to provide exposure to South Asian artists. Beri, who has over 35 years of dance experience, runs her New Jersey-based studio Rhythmic Arts and has worked with organizations such as Walt Disney World, the NBA, and Broadway productions.
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