Tauranga's Historic Village is set to welcome the summer season with a sensory extravaganza celebrating the world famous Indian Festival of Diwali.

The festival is being held on Friday October 25, from 4pm to 10pm, with performances from the Bay of Plenty Indian community as well as traditional food and interactive family fun for all to enjoy.

The Historic Village will come to life with colourful light, the sights and sounds of Bharatanatyam, Bollywood and Punjabi dancing and the delicious tastes and aromas of traditional vegetarian delights and Indian street food.

Highlights of the festival include performances from the Soornapur Dance group, the energetic Bay of Plenty Bhangra Dance group, the young and talented Masti Dance group, and dynamic and graceful Arya from Tauranga.

These acts will also be supported by the Te Puke Women's Dance group and Te Puke Fairhaven Indian Dance group.

The event will be interactive with opportunities for all the family to get involved with dance workshops, beautiful henna and face painting, and enriching Vedic storytelling as well as painting traditional Diyas which will be lit to decorate the festival venue.

In keeping with the family theme, the event will be drug and alcohol free with a strong sustainability theme and the food village using only compostable plates and cutlery.

Event organiser Dhruva Reid is excited to bring this new event to the city of Tauranga.

'The ancient Indian celebration of Diwali, now celebrated widely throughout the world, has taken on an international and non-sectarian feel and has been a staple event in other New Zealand cities for many years.

'We are excited to bring this vibrant historic event to the city of Tauranga for all people, faiths and cultures to appreciate and enjoy,” says Dhruva.

The festival will run from 4pm to 10pm and is free for all to attend thanks to the generosity of sponsors including Toi Ohomai, Tauranga City Council, TECT, Bay Trust and the Infinity Foundation.