Brampton is preparing for a spectacular fireworks display to mark Diwali this year — and residents are being reminded to leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
The city’s third annual Diwali Mela will take place on Sunday, October 20, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Sesquicentennial Park, promising a dazzling evening filled with lights, music, performances, and community celebration. The event will feature one of Brampton’s biggest fireworks shows, alongside a drone light display similar to the one in Caledon on October 18.
Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated worldwide by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists as a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness.
Attendance is free, and the City is providing complimentary Brampton Transit shuttles every 30 minutes starting at 3:30 p.m. from four key locations: Mount Pleasant GO Station, Sheridan College, Gore Meadows Community Centre, and Save Max Sports Centre.
“We are proud to host Brampton’s third-annual Diwali Mela, an event that showcases our city’s diversity and creates a space for families and friends to enjoy the traditions of the Festival of Lights together,” Mayor Patrick Brown said in a statement.
While the city is going all out for the celebration, it’s reminding residents that personal fireworks are banned and violations carry steep fines. Penalties start at $500 for setting off fireworks, $1,000 for selling them, and can reach up to $100,000 under the city’s bylaw. Only sparklers are permitted.
The fireworks ban, introduced to address safety and noise concerns, has already shown results — fireworks complaints on Diwali dropped by 84 per cent since its implementation.
For event details, visit www.brampton.ca/diwali.