By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Nov 02, 2023 at 11:02 AM

Diwali is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year and it takes place this year beginning on Sunday Nov. 12

Despite its importance, the holiday remains relatively unfamiliar to most non-Indian communities. And yet, both the spirit and theme of this "festival of lights" are universal:  the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

As a result, ElevAsian and the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) have partnered with the Milwaukee Bucks to host a community celebration of Diwali with the goal of bringing all communities together to learn about and experience the holiday.

The Celebration of Light will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Atrium, 2107 E. Capitol Dr. in Shorewood.

The event will feature a discussion about Diwali along with dance performances, kids' crafts, henna artists and a  marketplace.  The celebration will culminate with a traditional meal.

Tickets are available for purchase online. The cost is $10 for children (age 10 and under) and $30 for adults. 

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.