Diwali Events 2026 Around the World: Where to Celebrate the Festival of Lights

Quick answer: Diwali 2026 is celebrated worldwide from Dhanteras on Friday 6 November to Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November, with the main Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 November. From India to London, New York, Singapore and Sydney, temples and communities host lamps, pujas, fireworks and cultural fairs.

As the Festival of Lights illuminates hearts and homes across the globe, Diwali 2026 promises to be an extraordinary celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This year, the main day of Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, a weekend date that makes it easier than ever for families and communities worldwide to gather, worship and rejoice together.

From the diya-lined streets of India to grand temple gatherings in London, New York, Singapore and Sydney, millions will welcome Goddess Lakshmi, light rows of lamps, and share sweets with loved ones. This guide walks you through the five days of Diwali 2026 and offers evergreen guidance on where and how to celebrate around the world.

Diwali 2026: The Five Sacred Days

Diwali is not a single day but a five-day festival, each with its own meaning, rituals and mood. Below are the exact dates for Diwali 2026 so you can plan celebrations, pujas and travel with confidence.

With Lakshmi Puja falling on a Sunday, many devotees consider Diwali 2026 especially auspicious, as the weekend allows the whole family to observe the rituals together without the rush of a working day.

The Spirit of Diwali: What We Celebrate

Diwali honours the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana, when the people lit rows of lamps to welcome him home. It also celebrates Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth, prosperity and well-being, who is invited into clean, brightly lit homes on the night of Lakshmi Puja. For many, the festival marks the inner journey from ignorance to wisdom, symbolised by the flame of the humble diya.

Where to Celebrate Diwali 2026 Around the World

Wherever the Indian diaspora has settled, Diwali glows brightly. The following city guides offer evergreen guidance on what to expect. Because event details change every year, always check your local temple, cultural association or city council announcements for the exact 2026 schedule, venues and timings.

India

In India, Diwali is at its most magnificent. Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, lights countless lamps along the Sarayu river; Varanasi glows with ghats full of diyas; Jaipur and Amritsar dazzle with illuminated markets and the Golden Temple. Homes are decorated with rangoli and rows of lamps, and Lakshmi Puja is performed on the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026. For travellers, book accommodation early, as this is peak festival season.

United Kingdom

Leicester's Golden Mile is famous for one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, with lights, music and street festivities. London hosts temple pujas and cultural gatherings, and cities such as Birmingham and Manchester hold community events. Look out for announcements from local Hindu temples and community organisations for confirmed 2026 dates and programmes.

United States and Canada

Across North America, major temples in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Toronto and beyond hold Lakshmi Puja, cultural programmes and community melas. Diwali is increasingly recognised in public life, with lamp-lighting events and cultural showcases. Because the main day is a Sunday, many communities may hold gatherings across the Diwali weekend of 6 to 10 November 2026.

Singapore, Malaysia and the Gulf

Singapore's Little India comes alive with a Deepavali light-up, bazaars and cultural performances, while Malaysia observes Deepavali as a public holiday with open houses and temple visits. In the UAE and across the Gulf, temples and Indian community groups host pujas and family gatherings. Check community and temple notices for the confirmed 2026 arrangements.

Australia and New Zealand

Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and other cities hold vibrant Diwali fairs with food stalls, dance, music and fireworks displays organised by community associations. As the Southern Hemisphere enters late spring, outdoor festivals are especially popular. Follow your local Indian association or council for the 2026 line-up.

How to Perform Lakshmi Puja at Home on 8 November 2026

1. Clean and declutter your home thoroughly in the days before Diwali, as Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit clean, welcoming homes.
2. On the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026, set up a clean altar with images or idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
3. Light a lamp, offer flowers, incense, fruits and sweets, and decorate the entrance with rangoli and diyas.
4. Chant the well-known Lakshmi mantra 'Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha' and the Ganesha mantra 'Om Gan Ganapataye Namaha' with devotion.
5. Perform aarti, distribute prasad to family members, and light lamps around the home to welcome prosperity and light.

For the precise puja muhurat in your city, consult a trusted local panchang or your family priest, as auspicious timings vary by location.

Tips for Celebrating Diwali 2026 Wherever You Are

• Confirm exact event dates, venues and timings with your local temple or community group before you travel.
• Choose eco-friendly diyas, candles and low-noise or green fireworks to keep celebrations safe and mindful.
• Prepare or buy traditional sweets like laddoo, barfi and gujiya to share with neighbours and friends.
• Wear traditional attire and involve children in lighting lamps and making rangoli to pass on the traditions.
• Remember the spirit of giving by donating to those in need during the festival.

• Main Diwali day 2026Sunday 8 November 2026
• Festival span6 to 10 November 2026
• Deities honouredGoddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
• Global hubsIndia, UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia

However and wherever you celebrate, Diwali 2026 is a chance to fill your home and heart with light. May the lamps you light this Sunday 8 November banish darkness, and may Goddess Lakshmi bless your family with peace, prosperity and joy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Diwali 2026?

The main day of Diwali 2026, Lakshmi Puja, falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. The full five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on Friday 6 November to Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November 2026.

Why is Diwali 2026 considered especially auspicious?

Because the main Lakshmi Puja day falls on a Sunday, families can gather and perform the rituals together over the weekend without the pressure of a working day, which many devotees regard as particularly favourable.

What are the five days of Diwali 2026?

They are Dhanteras on 6 November, Naraka Chaturdasi or Choti Diwali on 7 November, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on 8 November, Govardhan Puja or Annakut on 9 November, and Bhai Dooj on 10 November 2026.

Where can I celebrate Diwali 2026 outside India?

Major celebrations take place in the UK, especially Leicester and London, across the USA and Canada, in Singapore's Little India, in Malaysia and the Gulf, and in Australian and New Zealand cities. Check local temples and community groups for confirmed 2026 details.

Which deities are worshipped during Diwali?

Diwali primarily honours Goddess Lakshmi, who bestows wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The festival also celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.

How do I perform Lakshmi Puja at home in 2026?

Clean your home, set up an altar with Lakshmi and Ganesha, light lamps, offer flowers, sweets and incense, chant standard Lakshmi and Ganesha mantras, and perform aarti on the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026.

What is the correct muhurat time for Diwali 2026?

Auspicious puja timings vary by city, so consult a trusted local panchang or your family priest for the precise Lakshmi Puja muhurat in your location on 8 November 2026.

How can I celebrate Diwali sustainably?

Choose eco-friendly diyas and candles, prefer green or low-noise fireworks, avoid excess waste, share homemade sweets, and donate to those in need to reflect the festival's spirit of light and generosity.