Indian Singer Kunal Ganjawala to Headline New York State's 2026 D...

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced that Indian singer and actor Kunal Ganjawala will headline the 2026 New York State Diwali Festival of Lights presented by NYSTEC on Saturday, October 24, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. 

“The Empire State Plaza is where culture and community come together, making it the perfect venue for our state’s annual Diwali celebration,” Commissioner Moy said. “Team OGS is proud to provide everyone with an opportunity to join South Asian and Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers in sharing this special tradition that promotes harmony, connection, and joy.” 

The festival kicks off indoors at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, transforming the space into a vibrant setting. Attendees can immerse themselves in traditional entertainment, admire intricate rangoli, which are colorful, floral, and geometric floor patterns, and enjoy free henna art. The event features a dedicated kids zone with face painting and activities, alongside a diverse marketplace of vendors offering authentic Indian cuisine, handmade crafts, and unique goods.  

Known for his soulful and energetic songs in Hindi and Kannada cinema, headliner Kunal Ganjawala will deliver a show-stopping performance. The stage will also showcase the rich talent of the Capital Region, with opening performances by local community groups hosted by Ashok Adikoppula, celebrating traditional and contemporary South Asian dance and music. 

In the evening, event attendees will be invited to go outside on the Plaza to join and enjoy a puja ceremony and a fireworks display. 

Sponsors of the New York State Diwali Festival of Lights include NYSTEC, Maharaja Indian Restaurant, New York State Department of Health, Waymo, the Agrawal Family Foundation, MVP Health Care, and CSEA. 

The following bag policy is in effect for indoor events: 

Free parking is available in the East Garage and the Madison Avenue and Grand Street parking lots. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the Empire State Plaza. 

For event updates and additional information, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Instagram, or call (518) 474-4759. 

OGS offers an emergency text alert system that the public can use to receive event-specific emergency notifications. For the New York State Diwali Festival of Lights, the public can text ESPDFL to 888777 to opt in and receive emergency messages.