More than 500 dancers from around the world gathered at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the fourth annual Diwali Dance Fest, a three-day celebration showcasing South Asian culture, music and dance. Produced by Jashn Productions and its founder, Jeanie Beri, the festival brought Diwali festivities to EPCOT, Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Held from October 22 to 25, the event featured a Diwali Mela, a grand parade through Magic Kingdom Park and an international dance showcase involving 25 dance studios. The celebrations also included a special live performance by Canadian-Indian singer, songwriter and producer Tesher, best known for his global hit “Jalebi Baby.” CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul hosted the international showcase.
The festival aims to provide young South Asian dancers with opportunities to celebrate their heritage on prominent mainstream platforms. Over the years, it has grown into an international gathering for performers and their families, bringing together traditional and contemporary dance, music, fashion and community celebrations.
The festivities began with the Jashn-E-Magic Diwali Mela at EPCOT, where dancers and their families gathered to celebrate the festival and mark the beginning of the weekend’s events. The opening celebration concluded with guests watching “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” the nighttime spectacular at EPCOT.
The following day, more than 500 performers took part in the Grand Diwali Parade along Main Street, U.S.A., at Magic Kingdom Park. Wearing vibrant Indian attire, the dancers brought traditional rhythms, festive music and colorful performances to the iconic setting, with Cinderella Castle providing a striking backdrop.
The celebrations continued at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the International Dance Showcase, which featured 25 dance studios presenting a variety of South Asian dance styles. Hosted by Shanelle Kaul, the showcase highlighted the diversity of South Asian performing arts and culminated in a special performance by Tesher.
The artist, whose music blends South Asian sounds with Western influences, described the occasion as a memorable personal and cultural milestone. Tesher said celebrating Diwali at Walt Disney World was something he had never imagined, adding that performing at the resort while celebrating his heritage was particularly meaningful because he had been a Disney fan throughout his life.
For Jashn Productions founder Jeanie Beri, the festival’s continued growth reflects a broader effort to create spaces where young South Asian performers can see their culture recognized and celebrated on internationally prominent stages.
Beri said bringing Diwali to Walt Disney World with dancers from around the world had become more meaningful than the organizers had initially imagined. She highlighted the enthusiasm of performers, families and friends during the parade, describing the experience as a significant moment of recognition for the South Asian community.
Since its launch, Diwali Dance Fest has focused on creating opportunities for South Asian performing artists to reach wider audiences while helping young dancers connect with their cultural roots. By combining large-scale public performances with family participation, the festival provides a platform for cultural exchange and community engagement.
The event also reflects the growing visibility of South Asian traditions in mainstream American cultural spaces. Through dance, music and festive gatherings, participants share the diversity of Indian and South Asian heritage with audiences from different backgrounds.
Jashn Productions has announced that the fifth-anniversary edition of Diwali Dance Fest will take place from October 21 to 24, 2027, at Walt Disney World Resort. The upcoming celebration is expected to continue the festival’s focus on cultural representation, artistic expression and opportunities for the next generation of South Asian performers.
