On Monday evening, U.S. President Joe Biden will host a Diwali celebration at the White House, joined by Indian American guests. The event will begin with the President and First Lady Jill Biden lighting a diya in the Blue Room, similar to last year’s tradition, according to a White House announcement reported by PTI.

The gathering will include a reception, during which President Biden will deliver remarks to honor the Indian American community. The White House also revealed that a video message from NASA astronaut and retired Navy captain Sunita Williams will be part of the introduction. Williams, who took command of the International Space Station (ISS) in September, recorded her greeting from space, a place from which she has shared Diwali wishes previously. A practicing Hindu, she has celebrated her heritage in orbit by bringing items such as samosas, and copies of sacred texts like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.

The event will feature musical performances by the Marine Corps Band and Nootana, a D.C.-based group that specializes in traditional South Asian music and dance.

Last year, President Biden shared a video of the White House Diwali celebration on his official X account, symbolically lighting a diya alongside the First Lady. He had posted, “Today, Jill and I lit the diya to symbolize Diwali’s message of seeking the light of wisdom, love, and unity over the darkness of hate and division. May we embrace the enduring spirit of this holiday and of our nation – and reflect on the strength of our shared light."