Diwali in Europe 2026: A Vibrant Festival of Lights Across the Continent

Quick answer: Diwali 2026 is on Sunday 8 November 2026 across Europe. In the UK and Germany, Dhanteras is Friday 6 November, Govardhan Puja Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj Tuesday 10 November. Lakshmi Puja is done after local sunset, about 4:22 PM in London and 4:24 PM in Berlin. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Diwali is about three weeks later than last year, deep into a dark European November.

From London and Leicester to Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and beyond, Europe's Hindu and Indian communities have built a rich Diwali culture of temple pujas, public festivals and family celebrations that increasingly welcome their European neighbours. This guide sets out the 2026 dates, explains the five days, introduces some of the continent's best-known temples and gives practical tips for celebrating or visiting.

Diwali 2026 dates in Europe

France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and other Central European countries generally follow the same pattern as Germany; check the panchang your temple uses for any one-day differences.

Local sunset for Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang. Europe will be on winter time by Diwali week, so the puja can begin early in the evening, and because Diwali falls on a Sunday, many families can celebrate at home and at the temple on the same day.

The five days of Diwali

• Dhanteras: buying gold, silver or a new utensil, Dhanvantari and Lakshmi puja, and a lamp for Yama facing south after sunset.
• Narak Chaturdashi: an early oil bath and evening lamps, recalling Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
• Lakshmi Puja: the main evening of rangoli, diyas, Lakshmi-Ganesha puja, sweets and family gatherings.
• Govardhan Puja / Annakut: a "mountain of food" offered to Krishna in memory of his lifting Govardhan hill; temples prepare many vegetarian dishes.
• Bhai Dooj: sisters apply tilak and pray for their brothers' long life; brothers give gifts in return.

Well-known Hindu temples that celebrate Diwali

Each temple announces its own 2026 programme; check your local temple or association for 2026 programmes and timings before travelling.

Sri Manika Vinayakar Alayam, Paris

A historic Tamil temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha in the La Chapelle area of northern Paris, the heart of the city's South Asian quarter. It is a cornerstone of the Tamil community and one of the best-known Hindu temples in France, with Deepavali pujas, bhajans and prasad. The neighbourhood is also famous for Tamil restaurants and sweet shops.

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir project, Bussy-Saint-Georges

A large traditional stone mandir has been under construction at Bussy-Saint-Georges, east of Paris. Check BAPS France for its current status and any Diwali or Annakut programmes in 2026.

Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple, Berlin

Located at Hasenheide in Berlin-Neukölln, this temple is a spiritual and cultural anchor for Berlin's Hindu community and welcomes visitors of all backgrounds, especially during festivals.

Sri Mayurapathy Murugan Temple, Berlin

A South Indian-style temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, serving Berlin's Tamil community with pujas, abhishekam and festival celebrations.

Bhaktivedanta Manor, Watford (near London)

One of Europe's largest ISKCON temples and a major centre for Krishna devotees. Diwali and Govardhan Puja, with its Annakut offering, draw very large crowds, so check its website for visitor arrangements.

Public Diwali celebrations across Europe

United Kingdom

The UK hosts some of Europe's largest Diwali events. London's celebration in Trafalgar Square has become an annual fixture in the weeks around Diwali, and Leicester's Golden Mile on Belgrave Road is famous for its Diwali lights switch-on and Diwali Day celebrations. Birmingham, Manchester and other cities also hold markets and cultural fairs.

France

In Paris, the La Chapelle quarter comes alive with Deepavali shopping and temple celebrations, and the Maison de l'Inde at the Cité Internationale Universitaire has hosted cultural Diwali programmes. Indian associations in other French cities organise dinners and cultural evenings.

Germany

Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and university towns such as Heidelberg have active Indian associations that organise Diwali festivals with music, dance and food, often on the weekend nearest Diwali. Private fireworks are generally only permitted around New Year in Germany, so lamps and fairy lights take centre stage.

Netherlands

Amstelveen, home to a large Indian expat community, and The Hague, with its long-established Hindustani Surinamese community, are both known for family-friendly Diwali events with markets and performances.

Indian embassies and consulates across Europe also hold Diwali receptions with cultural performances. Dates, venues and ticketing for 2026 are set by each organiser, so watch the websites and social media of your local association, temple or embassy.

Food, shopping and fashion

• London: Southall and Wembley's Ealing Road for sweets, saris, jewellery and puja items.
• Leicester: Belgrave Road's Golden Mile for mithai and festive clothing.
• Paris: La Chapelle for Tamil groceries, sweets and clothing.
• Berlin and other German cities: Indian and Asian groceries for diyas, puja samagri and snacks.
• Sweets to look for: gulab jamun, jalebi, besan and motichoor laddoo, barfi and kaju katli, with samosas and pakoras on the savoury side.

Practical tips for visitors

• Weather: November is cold, dark early and often wet in much of Europe; wear layers under ethnic clothing and carry an umbrella.
• Transport: use public transport to temples and big events, where parking is limited and crowds are large.
• Etiquette: remove shoes in temples, cover shoulders and knees, keep phones silent and avoid flash photography during puja.
• Cash: some temple stalls and market vendors prefer cash; carry a little for donations and prasad.
• Lamps at home: check rental and building rules on open flames; LED diyas are a safe alternative.
• Emergencies: 112 works across the EU; in the UK call 999.

A festival that builds bridges

Diwali's themes of light over darkness, new beginnings and generosity speak to everyone. Across Europe, open temple days, school projects and interfaith gatherings have made the festival a way to share Hindu culture with neighbours and colleagues. Invite a friend to your puja, share a box of sweets at work, and let the lamps do the explaining.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in Europe?

Diwali / Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November 2026. In the UK and Germany, Dhanteras is Friday 6 November, Govardhan Puja Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj Tuesday 10 November.

What time is Lakshmi Puja in London, Berlin or Paris?

Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. On 8 November 2026 the sun sets at about 4:22 PM in London and 4:24 PM in Berlin. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city, including Paris or Amsterdam, on Drik Panchang; do not use an India muhurat converted to European time.

Why are the European dates for Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj different from India?

Hindu festivals depend on the lunar day (tithi) at local sunrise. In 2026 the relevant tithis fall a day earlier in European time zones, so Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj are on 9 and 10 November in the UK and Germany, against 10 and 11 November in India.

Are there public Diwali events in Europe?

Yes. Cities such as London and Leicester host long-running public Diwali celebrations, and temples, Indian embassies and community associations across Europe hold events. Dates and venues for 2026 are announced by the organisers each autumn.

Can non-Hindus visit temples during Diwali?

Yes, temples welcome visitors. Dress modestly, remove your shoes, avoid flash photography during puja and ask before taking pictures.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

Updated for 2026. Dates follow Drik Panchang for the UK and Germany and sunset times are local. Last year's event dates, venues, muhurat times, phone numbers and addresses were removed because they cannot be verified for 2026; population figures were also dropped. Check temples, embassies and community associations directly for this year's programmes.

Related guides

• Diwali 2026 UK
• Diwali 2026
• Lakshmi Puja 2026
• Dhanteras 2026
• Govardhan Puja / Bali Padyami 2026
• Bhai Dooj 2026