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How you can celebrate Diwali for free across the West Midlands

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BBC A close-up photograph of a decorative Diwali-style rangoli display made from bright orange marigold petals and pink rose petals. Several small oil lamps (diyas) with glowing flames are placed around the floral design. In the centre, a person wearing an ornate embroidered outfit is holding a lit diya above the arrangement.BBC
Councils and museums across the region are welcoming communities to celebrate for free

As thousands of people across the West Midlands prepare to celebrate Diwali, a series of free light switch-ons, cultural events and firework displays will be held across the region, bringing communities together to mark the occasion.

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali falls on 8 November this year and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, as well as some Buddhists around the world.

The five-day festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Here are some of the free Diwali events taking place across the West Midlands this year.

Wolverhampton

If you live in and around Wolverhampton, a free event will be held at the Phoenix Park, off Dudley Road in Blakenhall, on Saturday 10 October.

The event runs from 16:00 BST until 20:30 and is being hosted by the Shree Krishan Mandir. Following the light switch-on at 20:00, there will be a free fireworks display.

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Birmingham

The Soho Road BID is set to host its annual Diwali Mela in Birmingham, which is free to attend.

It is taking place on Sunday 25 October when Soho Road will be transformed for the celebration which will include live entertainment, shopping stalls, fairground rides and a light switch-on.

Starting at 12:00, it will run until 19:30.

Leamington Spa

The district council will be hosting a free Diwali celebration at The Parade in Leamington Spa on 1 November.

To boost the event, there will be a performance by Dhol Tasha as well as a series of Bollywood songs and dances.

The Diwali light will be switched on at 19:00 by councillor Naveen Tangri and councillor Hema Yellapragada, along with other community leaders.

It starts at 17:00 GMT and runs until 20:00.

Shutterstock A woman is creating a colourful rangoli pattern on the floor using bright red, orange and yellow coloured powders. The design features petal-shaped sections outlined with small white dots, while the person carefully fills in the pattern by hand.Shutterstock
Diwali takes place every autumn between October and November with the date changing every year

Stoke-on-Trent

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery will host an event on 31 October to mark the Festival of Lights.

Part of the venue will be transformed for the occasion to feature traditional music, dance and craft activities.

It is free to attend from 11:00 until 17:30.

Worcester

For those in and around Worcester, there will be a Festival of Lights celebration hosted by the India Society of Worcester at the city's art museum.

The event, which is free to attend, will feature traditional dance, music, food and art.

It will take place on Sunday 1 November from 10:00 until 16:00.

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