More Than 1 Billion People Mark Diwali on Nov. 8
The festival, which honors the triumph of light over darkness, brings together Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists for prayers, feasts, and displays of illumination.
By Andrew Hayes ·
Diwali arrives on Nov. 8, 2026, marking the most important festival of the year for over one billion people across India and the global diaspora. The date is fixed by the Hindu lunar calendar and typically falls in late October or early November.
The name Diwali derives from Deepavali, a phrase meaning a row of lights. Participants place rows of traditional clay oil lamps outside their homes. These lights symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
The holiday holds religious significance for multiple faiths. While central to Hindu practice, it is also observed by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. Each group marks the day with distinct historical and spiritual meanings.
Regional traditions shape how the day is spent. In southern India, many residents take an early morning bath with warm oil to symbolize purification in the holy River Ganges. In northern regions, worship focuses on the goddess Lakshmi, who represents wealth and prosperity.
Common customs include setting off fireworks, wearing new clothes, and sharing meals with family. People often exchange sweets and gifts. Rangoli patterns, made from colorful powders, decorate floors. Gambling and buying gold on Dhanteras, the first day of the festival, are also popular ways to invite good luck.
Other faiths observe specific historical events during the same period. Jains mark the day Lord Mahavira attained nirvana. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind from Mughal imprisonment. Some Buddhists remember the third century B.C. conversion of Emperor Ashoka to Buddhism.
Major public celebrations occur across North America in 2026. Disney World in Florida hosted festivities with more than 500 dancers. Diwali at Times Square in New York City reached its 11th year, featuring international performers and a lighting countdown. Events also took place in Jersey City, San Francisco, and Vancouver. California became the third U.S. state to designate Diwali an official holiday last year.
