Diwali 2026 Events Canada: Oct-Nov Toronto, Brampton, BC

Quick answer (as of 9 October 2026): in Toronto, the North York Diwali Festival runs 23 to 25 October at Mel Lastman Square and the 4th annual Diwali Festival of Lights is listed at Nathan Phillips Square on 24 and 25 October. Brampton's Diwali Mela is on Sunday 8 November, Diwali day itself, with fireworks and a drone show. In Metro Vancouver, Diwali Fest has five free events between 24 October and 9 November. Lakshmi Puja in Canada is Sunday 8 November 2026.

Canada has one of the most active Diwali scenes outside India, and 2026 is no exception: two Toronto squares, a full city-run mela in Brampton, and a travelling series of community celebrations across the Lower Mainland. Many of these fall on weekends either side of the festival, so you can catch a public celebration and still keep your own Lakshmi Puja on the night. Below, each event is listed with its venue, date and organiser exactly as published, with a link to the source. Weather in late October and November can be unkind, so check the organiser's page for timings and tickets before you set out.

Diwali 2026 in Canada at a glance

Date	City	Event	Venue	Organiser / listed by
23-25 Oct	North York, Toronto	North York Diwali Festival	Mel Lastman Square	Youth for Change
Sat 24 - Sun 25 Oct	Toronto	4th annual Diwali Festival of Lights	Nathan Phillips Square	Listed by NOW Toronto (organiser Instagram @diwalifestivaloflights)
Sat 24 Oct	Metro Vancouver	Diwali at Marine Gateway 2026	Marine Gateway	Diwali Celebration Society
Sun 1 Nov	Metro Vancouver	Diwali in Tsawwassen Mills 2026	Tsawwassen Mills	Diwali Celebration Society
Thu 5 Nov	Coquitlam, BC	Diwali in Coquitlam 2026	Evergreen Cultural Centre	Diwali Celebration Society
Sat 7 Nov	Vancouver, BC	Diwali in Vancouver 2026	Roundhouse Community Centre	Diwali Celebration Society
Sun 8 Nov	Brampton, ON	City of Brampton Diwali Mela	Sesquicentennial Park	City of Brampton
Mon 9 Nov	New Westminster, BC	Diwali in New Westminster 2026	Anvil Centre	Diwali Celebration Society

Toronto: North York Diwali Festival at Mel Lastman Square, 23 to 25 October

Status: official. The City of Toronto's Mel Lastman Square events page lists the North York Diwali Festival for 23 to 25 October, organised by Youth for Change. The page was last updated on 28 September 2026 (Source: City of Toronto, 28 September 2026).

With three days on the calendar, this is the longest-running of the Toronto events this year and an easy stop for families along the Yonge line. The city page does not list the programme or hours, so check the organiser's page for timings and tickets.

Toronto: Diwali Festival of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square, 24 and 25 October

Status: reported. As reported by NOW Toronto, the 4th annual Diwali Festival of Lights is listed at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday 24 October (12pm-10pm) and Sunday 25 October (12pm-9pm). It is described as a free, family-friendly community celebration, and the listing links to the organiser's Instagram account, @diwalifestivaloflights (Source: NOW Toronto (event listing), checked 9 October 2026).

Because this is a third-party listing rather than the organiser's own page, confirm details on the organiser's channel before travelling.

Brampton: City of Brampton Diwali Mela, Sunday 8 November

Status: official. The City of Brampton's Diwali page lists the event for 8 November 2026 from 4pm. A fireworks show is scheduled at 7:30pm and a drone show at 8:15pm, both weather permitting. Free Brampton Transit shuttles will run every 30 minutes from 3:30pm to 10:30pm from Mount Pleasant GO Station, Brampton Soccer Centre, Sheridan College and Gore Meadows Community Centre (Source: City of Brampton, checked 9 October 2026). Toronto On Demand lists the venue as Sesquicentennial Park, with free admission.

This is the only big public event in our list that falls on Diwali day itself. If you plan to attend, do your Lakshmi Puja at home at your muhurat, then head out; the shuttles mean you can leave the car behind. Check the organiser's page for timings and tickets, and for any weather updates on the day.

Metro Vancouver: five free Diwali Fest events

Status: official. The Diwali Celebration Society lists five free Diwali Fest events across the Lower Mainland for October and November 2026 (Source: Diwali Fest (Diwali Celebration Society), checked 9 October 2026):

Diwali at Marine Gateway 2026: 24 October at 1:00pm. The organiser's page names the venue as Marine Gateway but does not state the city.
Diwali in Tsawwassen Mills 2026: 1 November at 2:00pm. The page names the venue as Tsawwassen Mills but does not state the city.
Diwali in Coquitlam 2026: 5 November at 6:00pm at the Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam.
Diwali in Vancouver 2026: 7 November at 2:00pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Diwali in New Westminster 2026: 9 November at 4:00pm at the Anvil Centre, New Westminster.

All five are listed with free admission. The spread of venues means most families in Metro Vancouver have one within reach, and the Coquitlam and Vancouver events fall in Diwali week. Check the organiser's page for timings and tickets, as community programmes are often finalised close to the date.

Your Lakshmi Puja: use Canadian timings

In Canada, Dhanteras falls on Friday 6 November and Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 November 2026, per Drik Panchang. Do not use India's muhurat: the puja window depends on local sunset, so Toronto, Brampton and Vancouver each have their own. Find yours on Diwali 2026 in Canada: Lakshmi Puja muhurat city by city, and read the Diwali 2026 Canada 5-day celebration guide for the full calendar.

Navratri runs 11 to 19 October and Dussehra is Tuesday 20 October, so October weekends are busy in Canadian temples too. See Dussehra 2026 in Canada, province by province.

Practical tips

Dress for the weather: outdoor squares in late October and November can be cold and wet; layers help.
Use transit: Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square are on the TTC subway, and Brampton runs free shuttles.
Check before you go: fireworks and drone shows are weather permitting; organiser pages and city social channels carry updates.
Bring the kids, but plan for crowds: family events are popular; agree a meeting point.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Brampton Diwali Mela in 2026?

The City of Brampton's Diwali page lists the event for Sunday 8 November 2026 from 4pm, with a fireworks show at 7:30pm and a drone show at 8:15pm, both weather permitting. Free Brampton Transit shuttles are listed from Mount Pleasant GO Station, Brampton Soccer Centre, Sheridan College and Gore Meadows Community Centre.

Is there a Diwali festival at Nathan Phillips Square in 2026?

NOW Toronto's event listing reports the 4th annual Diwali Festival of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, described as free and family-friendly. Check the organiser's page for timings and tickets.

What are the Diwali Fest events in Vancouver for 2026?

The Diwali Celebration Society lists five free events: Marine Gateway (24 October), Tsawwassen Mills (1 November), Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam (5 November), Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver (7 November) and Anvil Centre in New Westminster (9 November).

When is Diwali in Canada in 2026?

Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday 8 November 2026 in Canada, with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, according to Drik Panchang. Timings differ by city; use our Diwali 2026 Canada Lakshmi Puja muhurat page.

Are these Diwali events free?

The Brampton, Toronto (Nathan Phillips Square) and Diwali Fest BC listings describe free admission. For Mel Lastman Square, the City of Toronto page does not state admission, so check the organiser's page for timings and tickets.

Will this page be updated?

Yes. News was checked on 9 October 2026, and we will update as announcements change.

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

News checked on 9 October 2026; we will update as announcements change. Every event on this page comes from a city, organiser or event listing cited above, and we have not added times, prices or performers beyond what those listings state. Festival dates are from Drik Panchang. Please check the organiser's page for timings and tickets before you travel.