If you were in Prince George on Monday, October 20 this year, you likely caught sight of brilliant lights in the skies and heard booming firecrackers echoing across neighborhoods. That night, the city came alive in a vibrant celebration of Diwali, a festival of lights cherished across South Asia and by diaspora communities around the world. What unfolded was a spectacular evening of fireworks, celebrations, and shared joy, held safely in an open space well away from trees and hazards, letting the night’s glow shine in full splendor.
What Is Diwali?
Diwali is one of the most significant Hindu festivals. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated over multiple days in many traditions, its central rituals include lighting oil lamps (diyas), offering prayers (puja), exchanging gifts and sweets, decorating homes, and enjoying fireworks displays. In 2025, the main day of Lakshmi Puja, the heart of Diwali, fell on October 20 (Amavasya), making that evening particularly meaningful.
Prince George’s Diwali Night
Although many Diwali events in Prince George are held in mid-October, such as dance parties and performances, the community spirit continued strong into October 20. On that Monday evening, participants gathered in a safe outdoor location cleared of trees and flammable hazards. The result was a dazzling, well-controlled show: an extended evening of fireworks, crackling firecrackers, and other luminous displays, all choreographed to delight and amaze.
The sounds of popping and roaring punctuated the air, accompanied by bursts of color and light. Spectators including families, students, neighbors, and cultural community members watched in awe as the sky lit up in golden, red, and blue trails. The scene was festive yet peaceful, respectful of safety and community rules. By choosing an open space away from dense foliage, organizers ensured that the joyous spectacle remained as safe as it was stunning.
Beyond fireworks, the night also featured visual displays that engaged people of all ages. Children’s laughter, conversations in multiple languages, and shared admiration underscored how Diwali in Prince George is both a deeply cultural event and a community gathering.
Meaning Meets Celebration
On a symbolic level, the night resonated deeply with Diwali’s core themes. Lighting lamps and letting fireworks explode in darkness mirror the festival’s emphasis on illumination, both literal and metaphorical. In many homes and temples around the world, families pray to Goddess Lakshmi (the deity of wealth and prosperity) and Lord Ganesha, ask for blessings, clean and decorate living spaces, exchange sweets, and foster fellowship.
This blend of spiritual ritual and community festivity is what makes Diwali beloved across the globe. Hundreds of millions participate in different ways: lighting diyas, decorating with rangoli (intricate floor art), performing pujas, feasting, and coming together in gatherings.
A Night to Remember
For many in Prince George, Monday’s Diwali celebration will stand out as a highlight of autumn, not just for its visual brilliance but for the togetherness it fostered. The careful planning, inclusive spirit, and the sheer vibrancy of fireworks and light displays made for a warm, inviting event.
Whether you have roots in the Indian subcontinent or were simply curious to experience something new, the night offered a bridge between tradition and local life. It reminded everyone that festivals like Diwali are more than spectacle. They are gestures of community, hope, and shared wonder.
