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The sights, sounds, and spirit of a traditional Indian wedding are coming to Halifax — minus the pressure from matchmaking aunties — as Desii Nights Entertainment presents The Grand Fake Indian Wedding on Aug. 22 at Maxwell’s Courtyard.
Complete with dhol players, DJs, red carpets, food, fashion, and full wedding flair, the event promises a vibrant cultural celebration for the South Asian diaspora and beyond. The twist? There’s no actual wedding, just an open invitation to experience one of India’s most iconic celebrations — in party form.
“This is a cultural experience for people who may never get to attend a real Indian wedding,” said Raj Saluja, event planner and founder of Desii Nights. “Whether you’ve moved away from home, never been invited to one, or just want to dance without dodging family pressure — this is your chance to be part of the joy and beauty of an Indian wedding, without any of the strings attached.”
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Raj Saluja, event planner and founder of Desii Nights moved to Halifax from Lucknow, India in 2021.
Saluja, who moved to Halifax in 2021 after a decade in India’s event scene, launched Desii Nights to fill a cultural gap in the local nightlife. “I couldn’t find the kind of Bollywood nights or South Asian events I was used to back home. So I decided to create them,” he said.
Desii Nights debuted with a Sydney-based event in 2021, followed by a Halloween Bollywood party in Halifax that year. Since then, the company has gained a loyal following and was recently honoured with the 2025 Canadian Choice Award in Event Planning.
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Saluja has been hosting events in Halifax since October 2021.
The Grand Fake Indian Wedding builds on that success, offering a high-energy mix of music, cultural immersion, and celebration designed to highlight South Asian traditions in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Saluja says the event has already sold 290 of 350 available tickets and is attracting attention online, with more than 40,000 Instagram views and support from international DJs flying in from the UK, Toronto, and India.
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Saluja hopes to display his culture to Haligonians through the events he hosts.
For Rohit Sharma, a university student in Halifax, the event is more than a night out. “I’ve missed four weddings since I came here for school. I hope this helps make up for it,” he said. “It’s also great to share my culture with friends from different backgrounds. With so much hate out there, an event like this shows we’re here to make memories, have fun, and celebrate who we are.” Sharma hopes that this event introduces Halifax to his culture.
Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional or Indo-western outfits, with support from local fashion brand Khush Mizaj, which is offering a buy-two-get-one-free promotion for attendees. “It’s important that people feel seen and represented,” said Saluja. “Indian fashion is bold, expressive, and beautiful — and we want people to wear it proudly.”
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Saluja with Sudha and Arjun; the owners of Khush Mizaj. A brand selling ready to wear and traditional Indian clothes.
While Saluja acknowledges that Desii Nights has faced challenges, including name-calling and racial slurs, he remains focused on his mission. “When your intentions are good, that negativity doesn’t matter,” he said. “This is about joy, unity, and appreciation — for our culture and for each other.”
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The events hosted by Desii Nights are open to all.
Tickets for The Grand Fake Indian Wedding are $25 and available through Desii Nights’ official channels.
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