Johns Creek's Diwali celebration moved to the Boardwalk at Town Center on Saturday, Nov. 7, with a drone light show as the evening's centerpiece.

The free festival ran from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Boardwalk, located at 11362 Lakefield Drive behind City Hall. The city's event page listed performances, more than 20 retail vendors, four food tents and a drone and light show scheduled for 7 p.m.

Michelle Au, an elected representative who said she was "lucky to be able to represent such a vibrant district," posted on X that the drone show, held "in lieu of fireworks," was "a huge hit with both the audience and the neighborhood dogs." Au called it a "wonderful evening celebrating Diwali with friends and neighbors at Johns Creek's Boardwalk Park."

Food vendors included Rockfort Cafe, Rajula's Kitchen, ADDA LLC and BiryaniPot, according to the city's event page. Retail booths ranged from boutiques and jewelry sellers to organizations like Voice of Asian Youth and Talk to Heal Counseling Center.

The City of Johns Creek promoted the event as "presented by Macy's Technology." ALM Automotive sponsored the drone and light show.

The Boardwalk venue marked a shift. In previous years, the Diwali market took place at Johns Creek City Hall. A post on X from October 2025 described thousands gathering at City Hall for that year's celebration.

Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Dilip Tunki told NRI Pulse that the Boardwalk was chosen for practical reasons. "The whole point of creating the Boardwalk is for the parking and the connectivity," Tunki said. "That's the reason we are doing Diwali there now."

City planning documents from a May 20, 2026, Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee meeting described the 2026 celebration as "a performance-focused event, market of retail vendors, and food vendors" at the Boardwalk and City Hall parking lot. Staff had recommended keeping the Nov. 7 date after the nearby Medley development's team said it would wait until 2027 to host its own Diwali event.

Tunki sees the Boardwalk and Medley working in tandem going forward. "Medley will bring people to the town center," he told NRI Pulse. "Celebrations like Diwali will give people a reason to come together."

Staff planning documents also listed a tree lighting and a Holly Jolly Block Party as proposed events for later in the quarter.