Diwali at Times Square returns today for an 11th year with a bazaar, dance and a lamp lighting on the ball drop tower

The Festival of Lights is taking over the Crossroads of the World. Diwali at Times Square returns today for its 11th edition, filling the heart of Manhattan with music, dance, food and color for families of every background.

The free celebration features a Diwali bazaar packed with vendors along with a kids zone where children can paint clay diyas, make bright rangoli designs and pick up a few Bollywood dance moves.

In the afternoon a showcase called Colors of India and America brings Indian, Indo-Caribbean and Hispanic dance groups to the stage to highlight how many cultures share in the holiday's spirit.

Lighting up the night

As evening falls, community leaders and officials will gather for a diya lighting ceremony with a countdown on the screen of the famous ball drop tower. That kicks off the Light Up Times Square concert.

The lineup is led by Kanika Kapoor, the award winning singer behind many of Bollywood's best loved dance hits. She shares the bill with Grammy nominated Indian American rapper Raja Kumari. Indian Idol winner Rishi Singh and finalist Shanmukha Priya will perform along with young singer and rapper Sparsh Shah, New York's singing chef Kunal Lamba and New Jersey teen Saanvi Nacha.

A message of light

Festival founder Neeta Bhasin says the event is meant to spread love, peace and togetherness. The weekend began Friday night with an awards gala in Lower Manhattan that honored Indian Americans for their work in medicine, business, innovation and giving back.

India's consul general in New York, Binaya S. Pradhan, praised organizers for bringing people together in one of the most famous public spaces anywhere. He said Diwali stands for light over darkness and hope over despair and hoped the day would draw all communities closer.