17 October 2025
By David T. Baker
Associate Editor
New Orleans can now count a new fall bridge lighting as part of its roster of annual events celebrating the city’s diverse and unique blend of cultures and communities.
On Monday, October 20, the Crescent City Connection – the iconic bridge that connects the east and west banks of New Orleans while also framing the city’s skyline – will be aglow in saffron, green and white in celebration of the South Asian Festival of Lights. The colors are those of the Indian flag and will shine in recognition of the city’s first-ever citywide Diwali.
According to Gina Jagtiani, a native of New Orleans of Sindhi descent and the founder of NOLA Diwali, the lighting of the bridge is more than just celebratory. It’s also symbolic.
“This isn’t just a celebration, it’s a bridge between cultures,” Jagtiani said in a press release.
Diwali is a significant holiday celebrated across India and other South Asian countries. The event acknowledges light over darkness, good over evil and, in the case of its New Orleans celebration, a unity of cultures. The three colors that will be displayed on the Crescent City Connection are those of the Indian flag.
Traditionally, over a five-day period, families light their homes with candles and lamps accompanied by the sharing of sweets and praying for the year ahead. The main celebration tends to take place on the third day of the festival.
In New Orleans, this year’s Diwali, being hosted by NOLA Diwali, is kicking off with “Diwali in the Crescent City,” a food, dance and music-filled event taking place on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Toulouse Theater in the French Quarter.
“Diwali in the Crescent City” will feature music by New York-based DJ Rekha and Texas-based percussionist Dave Sharma. The food at the celebratory event will be a fusion of traditional Indian and New Orleans style cuisines provided by local restaurants LUFU and Namaste Nola.
The event and the lighting of the bridge are just a part of NOLA Diwali’s larger mission of raising the profile of the region’s South Asian community, and that community’s cultural and economic impacts on the city.
In addition to celebrating the local South Asian community, Jagtiani said, the goal is to bolster tourism by establishing the city as a premier destination for South Asian cultural celebrations, travel and cross-cultural exchange.
“While New Orleans & Company is not directly involved in this upcoming Diwali celebration, it is Hosted by local entrepreneur Gina Jagtiani, we warmly welcome the addition of new and diverse cultural traditions to our city’s vibrant calendar of events,” said Kelly Schulz, senior vice president of communications & PR at New Orleans & Company. “New Orleans has always been a melting pot of heritage and celebration, and each tradition contributes to the rich cultural fabric that defines our community. We extend our heartfelt wishes for a joyful and prosperous Diwali to all who celebrate.”
NOLA Diwali has collaborated in the past with others to support its efforts to “foster community, representation and connection through art, music and hospitality,” including New Orleans Film Society, NOLA Holi, and the City of New Orleans’ Office of Cultural Economy.
“Office of Cultural Economy is honored to uplift and support the first-ever citywide Nola Diwali celebration of South Asian cultural heritage. Embrace The Culture Initiative serves as a bridge to create opportunities and preserve cultural traditions,” said Alana Harris, deputy director of arts and culture for the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy.
The illumination of the Crescent City Connection in the colors of the Indian flag in recognition of Diwali will be a first for the city.
“Lighting the Crescent City Connection is a symbolic movement showing that New Orleans stands with the global South Asian community, embracing light, love, and inclusion as part of our city’s spirit,” said Jagtiani.
Tickets for “Diwali in the Crescent City” are $50, but there is a discounted entry for attendees who present their NOLA Funk Fest tickets. Tickets can be purchased online at bit.ly/NolaDiwali. More information about the bridge lighting and other Diwali festivities can be found on NOLA Diwali’s Instagram: @NolaDiwali.
You can follow David T. Baker on Instagram @Thadfly.