Diwali 2026 in the USA, State by State: Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Temples and Celebrations

Quick answer: Diwali 2026 in the USA is on Sunday 8 November 2026 in all 50 states, with Lakshmi Puja in the evening. In New York the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is 5:03 PM to 6:52 PM, in Chicago 4:54 PM to 6:41 PM, in Houston 5:51 PM to 7:46 PM and in the Bay Area 5:21 PM to 7:12 PM (local time). Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. Below you will find timings for 81 cities in every state and Washington, D.C., established Hindu temples with their official websites, and the main public Diwali events.

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the festival of lights, and for Hindu families across America it is the most awaited evening of the year: a Lakshmi-Ganesh puja at home, diyas in the window, sweets shared with neighbours, and a trip to the temple. Because the USA spans six time zones, there is no single national Diwali time. This guide goes state by state, so every family can find a timing for its own city and a temple nearby.

Last updated: 10 October 2026.

Diwali 2026 dates in the USA

Dates are from Drik Panchang for the USA. Amavasya runs from 12:57 AM on 8 November to 2:01 AM on 9 November, New York time, so it covers Diwali evening in every state, from Maine to Hawaii. For the story, rituals and food of each day, see our Diwali 2026 USA five-day guide.

Diwali landing on a Sunday is good news for American families: the main Lakshmi Puja evening falls on a weekend. Dhanteras (Friday), Govardhan Puja (Monday) and Bhai Dooj (Tuesday) are school and work days in most places; our Diwali 2026 school holiday guide explains how to request an excused absence.

The clocks changed a week before Diwali

US daylight saving time ended on Sunday 1 November 2026, so by Diwali every state that changes its clocks is back on standard time. Sunset, and with it Pradosh Kaal, comes about an hour earlier on the clock than in October. If you are used to evening temple programmes starting after 6 PM, expect Lakshmi Puja to begin around 5 PM in much of the Northeast and Midwest. Arizona (outside the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii do not use daylight saving time, so nothing changed there.

How the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is chosen

Lakshmi Puja is performed on Amavasya evening during Pradosh Kaal, the period of about two and a half hours that begins at sunset. Within Pradosh Kaal, Drik Panchang marks the most auspicious portion as the time when a fixed (sthir) lagna, Vrishabha, is rising; that is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in the tables below. If you cannot begin within that window, starting the puja anywhere within Pradosh Kaal is widely accepted. Dhanteras puja on Friday 6 November follows the same evening principle.

Do not convert India's muhurat. Indian timings converted to US time land in the early morning in America. Always use a muhurat for your own city.

Big public Diwali events in the USA in 2026

Public celebrations in America usually fall on weekends before or after the festival. These were verified on the organisers' own pages on 9 October 2026:

Sources, times and ticket details are in our Diwali 2026 events in the USA guide. For a temple or community celebration near you, use the state sections below and check the organiser's own website, since most temples publish their Diwali schedule only a few weeks ahead.

Diwali 2026 state by state

For each state you will find the Lakshmi Puja muhurat and Pradosh Kaal on Sunday 8 November, the Dhanteras puja muhurat on Friday 6 November, and, where we could verify one, an established Hindu temple with its official website. All times are local clock time. If your city is not listed, the nearest listed city in the same time zone is usually within a few minutes, but a panchang for your exact location is best. The same timings for 15 major cities, with extra detail, are in our Lakshmi Puja muhurat city-by-city guide.

Diwali 2026 in Alabama

Alabama's Hindu families are concentrated around Birmingham and Huntsville, where engineering and research jobs have drawn many Indian Americans. The whole state is on Central Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Birmingham (Pelham). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Alaska

Anchorage's Hindu community is small but close-knit. Because Anchorage is so far north, the night is long and the Vrishabha lagna window inside Pradosh Kaal is shorter than in the lower 48. The Aleutian Islands west of 169°30′W keep Hawaii-Aleutian Time, so families there should use a panchang for their own town.

Temple: Sri Ganesha Temple of Alaska (Anchorage). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Arizona

Arizona does not use daylight saving time (the Navajo Nation does), so nothing changed on 1 November. The Phoenix times apply across the Valley, including Tempe, Chandler and Scottsdale.

Temple: Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona (Maricopa). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Arkansas

Families in Arkansas live mainly in Little Rock and in Northwest Arkansas around Bentonville and Rogers. The whole state is on Central Time.

Temples: we could not verify an official temple website in Arkansas when we checked on 10 October 2026. Ask local Indian community associations or university Indian student associations about Diwali gatherings, or travel to a temple in a neighbouring state.

Diwali 2026 in California

California has the largest Indian American population of any state, centred on the Bay Area (San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale), Greater Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento. All of California is on Pacific Time.

Event: the Association of Indo Americans holds its Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka on Saturday 17 October 2026 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton (Bay Area). Details are in our Diwali 2026 USA events guide.

City guides: Diwali in Los Angeles and Diwali in San Francisco.

Temples: Shiva-Vishnu Temple (Hindu Community and Cultural Center) (Livermore) and Malibu Hindu Temple (Calabasas). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Colorado

Colorado's Hindu community is centred on the Denver metro area, Boulder and Colorado Springs. Colorado is on Mountain Time.

Temple: Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple of Colorado (Castle Rock). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Connecticut

Connecticut families live mostly in the Hartford area and Fairfield County, close to the New York metro. The Stamford times are also a good guide for Norwalk and Greenwich.

Temple: Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple (Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society) (Middletown). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Delaware

Delaware's Hindu community is centred on Wilmington and Newark, and many families also take part in programmes in the Philadelphia area.

Temple: Hindu Temple of Delaware (Mahalakshmi Devasthanam) (Hockessin). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The capital region's Hindu families live across Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia, and temples in the suburbs serve the whole area. For Northern Virginia timings, see the Virginia section.

More: Diwali in Washington, D.C..

Temple: Sri Siva Vishnu Temple (Lanham, Maryland). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Florida

Florida's Hindu families are spread across South Florida, Orlando, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. Most of Florida is on Eastern Time, but the western Panhandle (including Pensacola and Panama City) is on Central Time, so use a panchang for your own city there.

Temples: Hindu Temple of Florida (Tampa) and Shiva Vishnu Temple of South Florida (Southwest Ranches). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Shiva Vishnu Temple of South Florida, Diwali 2026: the temple's festival list gives Deepavali on Sunday 8 November 2026 (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Diwali 2026 in Georgia

Metro Atlanta, including Alpharetta, Duluth, Cumming and Norcross, has one of the largest Indian American communities in the Southeast. Georgia is on Eastern Time, at the western edge of the zone, which is why Atlanta's Lakshmi Puja starts late.

Temples: The Hindu Temple of Atlanta (Riverdale) and Greater Atlanta Vedic Temple (Lilburn). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

The Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Diwali 2026: Naraka Chaturdashi on Saturday 7 November and Deepavali on Sunday 8 November 2026 (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Diwali 2026 in Hawaii

Hawaii keeps Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time all year, with no daylight saving time. Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November in Honolulu, the same as on the mainland.

* In Honolulu, Trayodashi ends at 7:19 PM on Friday 6 November, part-way through the evening. Begin the Dhanteras puja after sunset (about 5:54 PM) and before 7:19 PM, or follow your temple's announcement.

Temple: Kauai's Hindu Monastery (Kadavul Temple) (Kapaa, Kauai). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Idaho

Idaho's Hindu community is centred on Boise. Southern Idaho is on Mountain Time; the northern panhandle (including Coeur d'Alene) is on Pacific Time, so families there should use a panchang for their own city.

Temple: Boise Hare Krishna Temple (Boise). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Illinois

Chicago and its suburbs, including Naperville, Schaumburg and Aurora, have one of the largest Indian American communities in the country. Illinois is on Central Time.

Temples: The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (Lemont) and Hindu Mandir of Lake County (Grayslake). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Indiana

Most of Indiana, including Indianapolis, is on Eastern Time, but counties in the northwest near Chicago and in the southwest near Evansville are on Central Time. Use a panchang for your own city if you live in those areas.

Temple: Hindu Temple of Central Indiana (Indianapolis). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Iowa

Iowa's Hindu families live mainly around Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Ames. The state is on Central Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa (Madrid). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa, Diwali 2026: a Diwali celebration on Saturday 14 November 2026 from 5 PM (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Diwali 2026 in Kansas

Most Kansas families live in the Kansas City suburbs (Overland Park, Olathe) and in Wichita. Almost all of Kansas is on Central Time; four western counties near the Colorado border use Mountain Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Kansas City (Shawnee). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Kentucky

Louisville and Lexington are on Eastern Time, while western Kentucky (including Bowling Green and Paducah) is on Central Time. Use a panchang for your own city in the west of the state.

Temple: Hindu Temple of Kentucky (Louisville). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Louisiana

Hindu families in Louisiana live mainly around New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The state is on Central Time.

Temple: Hindu Vedic Society (Baton Rouge). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Maine

Maine's Hindu community is small and centred on Greater Portland. Maine is the easternmost state, so Diwali evening comes early: Lakshmi Puja in Portland starts before 5 PM.

Temple: Maine Hindu Temple (Westbrook). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Maryland

Maryland families live mainly in the Baltimore area and in the Washington suburbs of Montgomery and Howard counties. For the D.C. suburbs, the Washington, D.C. times are a close guide.

Temple: Sri Siva Vishnu Temple (Lanham). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Massachusetts

Greater Boston, including Framingham, Burlington, Waltham and Worcester, has a large and long-established Hindu community. Massachusetts is on Eastern Time.

More: Diwali in Boston.

Temples: Sri Lakshmi Temple (Ashland) and ISKCON Boston (Boston). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Michigan

Metro Detroit, especially Troy, Novi, Canton and Farmington Hills, is home to most of Michigan's Hindu families. Michigan is on Eastern Time, except four Upper Peninsula counties on the Wisconsin border, which use Central Time.

Temples: Bharatiya Temple (Troy) and Paschima Kasi Sri Vishwanatha Temple (Flint). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Minnesota

Minnesota's Hindu community is centred on the Twin Cities (Minneapolis, St. Paul and suburbs such as Maple Grove and Eden Prairie). The state is on Central Time.

Temple: Hindu Society of Minnesota (Hindu Temple) (Maple Grove). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Mississippi

Mississippi's Hindu community is small, with families around Jackson, Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast. The state is on Central Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi (Brandon). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi, Diwali 2026: the temple's 2026-27 calendar lists Deepavali, Lakshmi Puja and Kedar Gauri Vratam on 8 November and Dhan Trayodashi on 6 November (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Diwali 2026 in Missouri

Missouri families live mainly in Greater St. Louis and Kansas City. The whole state is on Central Time.

Temple: The Hindu Temple of St. Louis (Ballwin). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Montana

Montana's Hindu community is small and spread across Billings, Bozeman and Missoula. The state is on Mountain Time; university communities often organise Diwali evenings.

Temples: we could not verify an official temple website in Montana when we checked on 10 October 2026. Ask local Indian community associations or university Indian student associations about Diwali gatherings, or travel to a temple in a neighbouring state.

Diwali 2026 in Nebraska

Nebraska's Hindu families live mainly in Omaha and Lincoln. Eastern Nebraska is on Central Time; the western Panhandle uses Mountain Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple Omaha (Omaha). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Nevada

Most Nevada families live in the Las Vegas valley and around Reno. Nevada is on Pacific Time (West Wendover uses Mountain Time).

Temple: Hindu and Jain Temple of Las Vegas (Las Vegas). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's Hindu community is centred on Nashua and Manchester in the southern part of the state, close to Greater Boston.

Temple: Hindu Temple of New Hampshire (Nashua). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in New Jersey

New Jersey has one of the highest concentrations of Indian Americans in the country, especially in Middlesex County (Edison, Iselin, Piscataway, Plainsboro) and in Jersey City. Oak Tree Road in Edison and Iselin is one of the best-known Indian shopping streets in America in the weeks before Diwali.

Temples: Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir) (Bridgewater) and Sri Guruvaayoorappan Temple (Morganville). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in New Mexico

New Mexico's Hindu community is centred on Albuquerque, with families also in Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Los Alamos. The state is on Mountain Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple Society of New Mexico (Albuquerque). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in New York

New York has the country's best-known public Diwali celebration, Diwali at Times Square, and large Hindu communities in Queens, Long Island, Westchester, the Capital Region and Western New York. New York City public schools close for Diwali when it falls on a school day; in 2026 it is a Sunday.

Event: Diwali at Times Square is on Saturday 24 October 2026, at 46th to 48th Street and Broadway; admission is free. See our Diwali 2026 New York guide and USA events guide.

More: Diwali 2026 in New York.

Temples: Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam (Flushing) and Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of the Capital District (Loudonville (Albany)). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in North Carolina

North Carolina's Hindu families are concentrated in the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Durham) and in the Charlotte area. The state is on Eastern Time.

Temples: Sri Venkateswara Temple of NC (Cary) and Hindu Center of Charlotte (Charlotte). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in North Dakota

North Dakota's Hindu community is small, centred on Fargo and Grand Forks. Most of the state is on Central Time; the southwest uses Mountain Time.

Temples: we could not verify an official temple website in North Dakota when we checked on 10 October 2026. Ask local Indian community associations or university Indian student associations about Diwali gatherings, or travel to a temple in a neighbouring state.

Diwali 2026 in Ohio

Ohio has sizeable Hindu communities in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton. The whole state is on Eastern Time, but because it is at the western edge of the zone, Diwali evening comes later on the clock than in New York.

Temples: Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati - Devdham of North America (Cincinnati) and Shiva Vishnu Temple – Greater Cleveland (Parma). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati - Devdham of North America, Diwali 2026: the temple's 2026 calendar lists Diwali celebrations with Lakshmi Puja at 5:30 PM on Sunday 8 November (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Shiva Vishnu Temple – Greater Cleveland, Diwali 2026: Diwali (Lakshmi Poojan) on Sunday 8 November, and the temple Diwali celebration with Annakoot on Saturday 14 November at 3 PM (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Diwali 2026 in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's Hindu families live mainly in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman. Oklahoma is on Central Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Hindu Temple of Oklahoma, Diwali 2026: the temple's 2026 event calendar lists Diwali on 8 November (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Diwali 2026 in Oregon

Oregon's Hindu community is centred on Greater Portland, including Beaverton and Hillsboro. Most of Oregon is on Pacific Time; Malheur County on the Idaho border uses Mountain Time.

Temple: ISKCON Portland (Hillsboro). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has large Hindu communities in the Philadelphia suburbs and around Pittsburgh, as well as in Harrisburg, Allentown and State College. The whole state is on Eastern Time.

More: Diwali in Philadelphia.

Temples: Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh area) and Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple (Veda Gita Center) (Collegeville). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Rhode Island

Rhode Island's Hindu community is centred on Providence and its suburbs, and many families also attend programmes in the Boston area.

Temple: Rhode Island Hindu Temple Society (Warwick). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in South Carolina

South Carolina families live mainly around Columbia, Greenville-Spartanburg and Charleston. The state is on Eastern Time.

Temple: Vedic Center of Greenville (Mauldin). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Vedic Center of Greenville, Diwali 2026: a Diwali Gala, Festival of Lights, on Saturday 7 November 2026 (temple website, checked 10 October 2026).

Diwali 2026 in South Dakota

South Dakota's Hindu community is small and centred on Sioux Falls. Eastern South Dakota is on Central Time; the western half, including Rapid City, uses Mountain Time.

Temples: we could not verify an official temple website in South Dakota when we checked on 10 October 2026. Ask local Indian community associations or university Indian student associations about Diwali gatherings, or travel to a temple in a neighbouring state.

Diwali 2026 in Tennessee

Nashville and Memphis are both on Central Time, but East Tennessee, including Knoxville and Chattanooga, is on Eastern Time. Families there should use a panchang for their own city.

Temple: Sri Ganesha Temple (Nashville). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Texas

Texas has the second-largest Indian American population after California, with large communities in Greater Houston (Sugar Land, Katy), Dallas-Fort Worth (Irving, Frisco, Plano, Allen), Austin and San Antonio. Almost all of Texas is on Central Time; El Paso and Hudspeth counties use Mountain Time.

Events: the Dallas Festival of Lights - Diwali Mela is on Saturday 24 October 2026 at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney, and Houston's Discovery Green holds its first Diwali: Festival of Lights on Saturday 14 November 2026, from 4 PM to 10 PM. Details and sources are in our Diwali 2026 USA events guide.

Temples: DFW Hindu Temple Society (Irving) and Austin Hindu Temple and Community Center (Austin). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Utah

Utah's Hindu community is centred on the Salt Lake City area and Utah County. The state is on Mountain Time.

Temple: Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah (South Jordan). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Vermont

Vermont's Hindu community is small and centred on Burlington. Vermont is on Eastern Time, and Diwali evening comes early in the far north-east.

Temples: we could not verify an official temple website in Vermont when we checked on 10 October 2026. Ask local Indian community associations or university Indian student associations about Diwali gatherings, or travel to a temple in a neighbouring state.

Diwali 2026 in Virginia

Northern Virginia, especially Loudoun and Fairfax counties (Ashburn, Chantilly, Herndon, Fairfax), has one of the largest Hindu communities on the East Coast. There are also communities in Richmond, Hampton Roads and Charlottesville. Fairfax County Public Schools lists Diwali on its 2026-27 calendar as an observance.

Temples: Durga Temple of Virginia (Fairfax Station) and Rajdhani Mandir (Chantilly). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Washington

Washington's Hindu families are concentrated in the Seattle area, especially Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell and Sammamish. Seattle Center hosts a free Diwali festival on the evening before Diwali (see below).

Event: Seattle Center's free Festal series lists Diwali: Lights of India on Saturday 7 November 2026. The start time had not been published when we checked; see our USA events guide.

Temples: Hindu Temple & Cultural Center (Bothell) and VEDA Sri Venkateswara Temple (Redmond). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in West Virginia

West Virginia's Hindu community is small, with families around Charleston, Morgantown and Huntington. The state is on Eastern Time.

Temple: ISKCON New Vrindaban (Moundsville). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's Hindu families live mainly in the Milwaukee area and in Madison. The state is on Central Time.

Temple: Hindu Temple of Wisconsin (Pewaukee). Check the temple's own website for its Diwali 2026 schedule.

Diwali 2026 in Wyoming

Wyoming has one of the smallest Hindu communities in the country, with families in Cheyenne, Laramie and Casper. The state is on Mountain Time; many families celebrate at home or travel to temples in Colorado.

Temples: we could not verify an official temple website in Wyoming when we checked on 10 October 2026. Ask local Indian community associations or university Indian student associations about Diwali gatherings, or travel to a temple in a neighbouring state.

How to celebrate Diwali at home in America

Lakshmi Puja at home

You do not need a large altar. A clean corner of the living room, a picture or murti of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, a clean cloth, flowers, a lamp, fruit and sweets are enough. Many families begin with a prayer to Ganesha, then perform Lakshmi Puja, sing an aarti and share prasad. For a step-by-step method see our Lakshmi Puja vidhi and the Lakshmi-Ganesh puja samagri list.

In apartments, check your building's rules on open flames. Battery diyas are a good substitute, and a real diya should always sit on a metal tray, away from curtains, and never be left unattended. November evenings are cold in most states, so many families keep their diyas indoors.

Decorations, food and family

• Rangoli at the entrance, with coloured powder, rice flour or flower petals; rangoli designs for 2026.
• Diyas and lights, real or LED; Diwali decoration and diya ideas.
• Sweets and snacks from your family's region, from ladoo and kaju katli to murukku and chakli; Diwali sweets recipes. If you are hosting, ask guests about allergies.
• A video call with grandparents in India, timed for their morning and your evening, so children can show their rangoli and hear how Diwali was celebrated when their parents were young.

Teaching children growing up in the USA

Tell the story your family follows: Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya, Krishna's victory over Narakasura, or Goddess Lakshmi's emergence from the ocean of milk. Let children help with the rangoli, make paper lanterns or greeting cards, and learn a greeting in their family language: Shubh Deepavali, Deepavali Subhakankshalu (Telugu) or Deepavali Nalvaazhthukkal (Tamil). A small act of giving, such as donating to a local food bank, connects the festival to its values of generosity and gratitude.

Fireworks and an eco-friendly Diwali

Fireworks laws differ from state to state and from town to town: some states allow a wide range of consumer fireworks, others only sparklers and novelties, and Massachusetts bans consumer fireworks entirely. Apartment complexes and HOAs often add their own rules. Check the rules for your exact address before buying anything, and consider a quieter celebration with lamps, music and food. Our eco-friendly Diwali guide has more ideas.

Diwali 2026 wishes for Indian American families

Happy Diwali 2026! May the light of the diyas bring peace, happiness, prosperity and wisdom into your home. Wishing you and your family a joyful and blessed Deepavali.

Though oceans may separate us, our traditions keep our hearts connected. May this Diwali bring our family closer through love, gratitude and cherished memories.

To the children growing up in America: may the lights of Diwali inspire you to spread kindness and courage wherever you go, and may you always be proud of your heritage.

More messages in English, Hindi and Telugu: Diwali 2026 greetings and wishes.

Diwali 2026 checklist for US families

• Note your city's Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Sunday 8 November from the tables above.
• Check your nearest temple's website for its Diwali programme and any registration.
• Check school calendars for Dhanteras (Friday 6 November), Govardhan Puja (Monday 9 November) and Bhai Dooj (Tuesday 10 November).
• Buy or prepare puja items, sweets and diyas; Indian grocery stores get busy the week before.
• Check local fireworks rules and building fire rules.
• Schedule a video call with family in India.
• Plan one act of giving with your children.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in the USA?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November 2026 in every US state, according to Drik Panchang. Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November, Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) on Saturday 7 November, Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November 2026.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New York for Diwali 2026?

5:03 PM to 6:52 PM Eastern Time on Sunday 8 November 2026, within Pradosh Kaal of 4:44 PM to 7:30 PM, according to Drik Panchang for Manhattan. In Edison, New Jersey it is 5:05 PM to 6:53 PM.

Can I use India's Diwali muhurat in America?

No. Lakshmi Puja is tied to Pradosh Kaal, which begins at your local sunset, so the muhurat must be calculated for your own city. Converting India's time into US time gives a window that falls in the morning or the middle of the night in America.

Is Diwali a public holiday in the USA?

Diwali is not a federal holiday. New York City public schools are closed for Diwali under New York State law when it falls on a school day; in 2026 it is a Sunday. Other states and districts vary, so check your district calendar and your employer's policy.

Where can I find Diwali events near me in the USA?

Start with your nearest Hindu temple and Indian community associations; this guide lists established temples in 44 states and the D.C. area. Big public events in 2026 include Diwali at Times Square and the Dallas Diwali Mela on 24 October, Seattle Center on 7 November and Houston's Discovery Green on 14 November. Confirm dates and times with each organiser.

Can I light fireworks on Diwali in the USA?

It depends on your state, city and property rules. Some states allow many consumer fireworks, some allow only sparklers and novelties, and Massachusetts bans consumer fireworks entirely. Apartment complexes and HOAs often add their own bans. Check the rules for your exact address before buying anything.

Editor's note

Editor's note (10 October 2026): This guide was expanded from our earlier Diwali 2026 USA page to cover every state. Festival dates are from Drik Panchang for the USA. The New York City times are Drik Panchang's own for Manhattan; all other cities are calculated with the Drik Panchang method from local sunset and the rising of Vrishabha lagna, and are expected to be within about a minute. Each temple listed was checked on its official website on 10 October 2026; we do not list temple event dates unless the temple has published them. Public events were verified on organisers' pages on 9 October 2026. Please confirm with your temple or organiser before you travel.

Related guides

• Diwali 2026 in the USA: Lakshmi Puja muhurat city by city
• Diwali 2026 events in the USA
• Is school closed for Diwali 2026 in the USA?
• Diwali 2026 USA: complete five-day celebration
• Govardhan Puja 2026 in the USA
• Diwali 2026 in Canada, province by province
• Hindu festival calendar 2026 for American Hindus
• Hinduism in the USA: temples and the diaspora