Quick answer: Diwali 2026 in Canada runs over five days: Dhanteras Friday 6 November, Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) Saturday 7 November, Diwali / Lakshmi Puja Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj Tuesday 10 November (Drik Panchang for Canada). Lakshmi Puja is done after local sunset – around 4:59 PM in Toronto and 4:40 PM in Vancouver on Diwali evening. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Diwali is about three weeks later than last year.

The 5-day Diwali calendar for Canada 2026

DayFestivalDate in CanadaDate in India
1DhanterasFri 6 NovemberFri 6 November
2Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti DiwaliSat 7 NovemberSun 8 November (morning)
3Diwali / Lakshmi PujaSun 8 NovemberSun 8 November
4Govardhan Puja / AnnakutMon 9 NovemberTue 10 November
5Bhai DoojTue 10 NovemberWed 11 November

The festival weekend is unusually convenient this year: Choti Diwali falls on Saturday and the main Diwali on Sunday, so families can celebrate the two biggest days without taking time off.

Local sunset times for puja

Lakshmi Puja and the Dhanteras puja are done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset – confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang. Do not convert an Indian muhurat to Canadian time.

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CitySunset Dhanteras (Fri 6 Nov)Sunset Diwali (Sun 8 Nov)
Toronto5:02 PM4:59 PM
Vancouver4:43 PM4:40 PM
Calgary5:01 PM4:58 PM

Families in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax and elsewhere should look up their own city on Drik Panchang, as sunset varies by location.

The essence of the five days: from wealth to sibling love

Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness across five linked days. Each day has its own deity and story – Dhanvantari and Lakshmi, Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, Rama’s homecoming and Lakshmi’s arrival, Krishna lifting Govardhan, and Yama and Yamuna’s sibling bond. In Canada’s diverse Hindu community – with roots in North and South India, Gujarat, Punjab, Bengal, Sri Lanka, the Caribbean, Fiji and East Africa – customs vary, but the lamps, prayers and sweets unite everyone.

Day 1: Dhanteras (Friday 6 November) – welcoming prosperity and health

Significance: Dhanteras honours Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician and source of Ayurveda, who rose from the churning of the ocean with the pot of amrit, together with Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Buying something new in metal – gold, silver, brass or steel – is believed to invite good fortune.

Rituals in Canada: After work, clean the entrance, buy a small metal item or a new broom, and perform a short Lakshmi–Kubera and Dhanvantari puja after sunset. Light a Yama deepam – a diya facing south at the doorstep – to protect the family from untimely misfortune. South Asian shopping areas such as Gerrard India Bazaar in Toronto, and the shops of Brampton, Mississauga, Surrey and northeast Calgary, are busy with festive buying all week.

Day 2: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi (Saturday 7 November) – cleansing and small lights

Significance: Naraka Chaturdashi remembers Lord Krishna, with Satyabhama, defeating the demon Narakasura and freeing his captives – a symbol of purifying the self before the main festival. In some communities it is also called Kali Chaudas or Roop Chaudas.

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Rituals in Canada: Take an abhyanga snan – an oil bath with sesame oil and ubtan – before sunrise, light a few small diyas in the evening, finish rangoli outlines and set up decorations for Sunday. With the day falling on a Saturday, it is a good time to cook sweets and snacks as a family.

Day 3: Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Sunday 8 November) – the grand festival of lights

Significance: The new-moon night of Kartik marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and the welcome of Goddess Lakshmi into clean, bright homes.

Rituals in Canada: Clean and decorate the home, draw rangoli, dress in new clothes and, after local sunset, perform Ganesha and Lakshmi puja with diyas, flowers, sweets and the mantra “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah”. Light lamps at every doorway and window, exchange gifts and share a festive meal.

Major temples hold special Lakshmi Puja and aarti on Diwali evening – among them the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto, the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, ISKCON Toronto, the Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, ISKCON Vancouver in Burnaby and the Hindu Society of Calgary. Expect large crowds and limited parking. In recent years cities such as Brampton, Surrey and Calgary have also hosted community or civic Diwali festivals; check your local temple, association or city website for 2026 programmes.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja / Annakut (Monday 9 November) – gratitude to nature

Significance: Govardhan Puja recalls Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to shelter the villagers of Vraj from Indra’s storms – a reminder to respect nature and let go of pride. Annakut, the “mountain of food”, offers dozens of vegetarian dishes to Krishna, which are then shared as prasad. Gujarati families also celebrate the new year (Bestu Varas), and Kannada and Marathi families mark Bali Padyami.

Rituals in Canada: Temples that follow the custom – especially Swaminarayan and ISKCON temples – display large Annakut offerings, often over the nearest weekend. At home, offer a few dishes to Krishna in the evening and build a small Govardhan with children.

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Day 5: Bhai Dooj (Tuesday 10 November) – celebrating sibling bonds

Significance: Bhai Dooj recalls Yamuna welcoming her brother Yama with a tilak and a meal; Yama blessed all brothers who honour their sisters on this day.

Rituals in Canada: Sisters prepare a thali with roli, rice, a diya and sweets, apply tilak and perform aarti for their brothers, who give gifts in return. For siblings in India, remember they mark the day on Wednesday 11 November – a video call bridges the distance.

Essential tips for Diwali in Canada 2026

  • Muhurat: use your own city’s Pradosh Kaal from Drik Panchang; Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary differ.
  • Fireworks: municipal bylaws vary and change – check your city’s current rules before buying; many families now prefer diyas, LED lights and public displays.
  • Weather: early November can be cold, wet or even snowy in the Prairies; plan indoor alternatives and dress warmly for temple queues.
  • Temple visits: go early on Sunday 8 November, carpool or use transit, and follow volunteers’ parking instructions.
  • Sustainable celebration: reuse clay diyas, choose natural rangoli colours and donate surplus sweets and food to local food banks.
  • School and work: Dhanteras, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj are weekdays; let teachers and managers know early if you need time off.

Celebrating with the wider community

Diwali is increasingly recognised across Canada, with greetings from political leaders and celebrations in schools, workplaces and city halls. Inviting neighbours to light a diya with you, bringing sweets to the office or explaining the festival at your child’s school are simple ways to share the meaning of Deepavali – the victory of light, knowledge and goodness.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in Canada?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November 2026 across Canada. The five days are Dhanteras Friday 6 November, Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) Saturday 7 November, Diwali Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj Tuesday 10 November.

What time is Lakshmi Puja in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary?

Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. On 8 November 2026 sunset is around 4:59 PM in Toronto, 4:40 PM in Vancouver and 4:58 PM in Calgary. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang rather than using Indian times.

Why are Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj a day earlier in Canada than in India?

Hindu festival days depend on which tithi is current at local sunrise. In 2026 this places Govardhan Puja on 9 November and Bhai Dooj on 10 November in Canada, but on 10 and 11 November in India.

Can I set off fireworks for Diwali in Canada?

Fireworks rules are set by each municipality and differ between cities, and some have changed their Diwali rules in recent years. Check your city’s current bylaw before buying anything, and consider diyas, lights and public displays instead.

Why is Diwali in November this year?

The Hindu lunar calendar adds an extra month in 2026, so Diwali comes roughly three weeks later than last year.

Editor’s note (4 October 2026)

This guide has been updated for 2026 using Drik Panchang dates for Canada and local sunset times. Earlier versions included event venues, ticket details, attendance figures and muhurat times for a previous year; these have been removed. Please check with your local temple or association for 2026 programmes and confirm your exact puja time on Drik Panchang.