Orlando, FL, USA: Cinderella Castle was transformed into a spectacle of lights and dance as Walt Disney World Resort hosted its inaugural Diwali parade at Magic Kingdom Park.
This parade marked the finale of this month’s third annual Diwali Dance Fest, which showcased more than 500 performers from around the globe. The event was organised by Jashn Productions and produced by Jeanie Beri.
“You could see the pride in every dancer’s expression as they performed with the castle as their backdrop. We are thrilled to represent our culture in such a magnificent setting,” said Jeanie Beri, director of Jashn Productions.
“Bringing the magic of Diwali to life was truly a dream realised. We hope to offer future generations of dancers more opportunities in mainstream venues while fostering community and teaching the values of inclusivity,” she added.
The three-day celebration began on October 9 with a Diwali Mela, featuring Indian cuisine, henna designs, a dance party, and photo opportunities with Mickey and Minnie. The festivities continued at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the Dance Fest Showcase, where 25 teams from countries including the U.S., South Africa, and New Zealand performed a mix of classical, folk, and Bollywood dance styles.
Indian-American comedian and writer Zarna Garg hosted the showcase, performing a three-part comedy routine and recording a live episode of The Zarna Garg Family Podcast during the event.
“Diwali Dance Fest is a vibrant, joyful, and culturally meaningful celebration,” Garg said. “Our podcast was honoured to participate alongside this year’s incredibly talented performers. The event radiates love, hope, and community spirit.”
The festival concluded with a Diwali parade, featuring over 500 dancers in traditional Indian costumes performing to Bollywood and classical music. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Desai Foundation, a nonprofit supporting women and children in rural India through programs in health, livelihoods, and menstrual equity.
Jashn Productions, established by Jeanie Beri, seeks to give South Asian artists a platform to shine. Beri, with over 35 years of dance experience, runs her New Jersey-based studio Rhythmic Arts and has collaborated with organizations including Walt Disney World, the NBA, and Broadway productions.
