Diwali: What It Is, When It Is and How It's Celebrated

September 9, 2026

If you are wondering when is Diwali, this beautiful autumn festival of lights changes dates each year, usually falling between mid-october and mid-november. As one of the most significant Hindu, Sikh, and Jain celebrations, learning how to celebrate Diwali and understanding its rich diwali traditions can help you join in the festivities. Here is everything you need to know about these vibrant diwali celebrations.

Diwali - Deepavali - is the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists. It marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and falls on the new moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, usually in October or November.

The stories behind it differ by tradition and region: the return of Rama to Ayodhya, the worship of Lakshmi, the release of Guru Hargobind Ji for Sikhs at Bandi Chhor Divas, and the liberation of Mahavira for Jains.

This guide covers the five days, the customs, the food, and what Diwali looks like in Leicester, Birmingham and London - written with respect rather than as a shopping list.

What Diwali celebrates

At its heart, the festival is a joyous celebration of light triumphing over darkness and knowledge defeating ignorance. While different faiths and regions focus on various historical and mythological events, the core message of hope remains universal. From ancient homecomings to spiritual liberation, these stories form the foundation of all diwali traditions.

The victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.
For many Hindus, Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, welcomed home by rows of lamps.
In western and southern India, Krishna's defeat of Narakasura, and the worship of Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity.
For Sikhs, Bandi Chhor Divas - Guru Hargobind Ji's release from imprisonment and the freeing of fifty-two princes with him.
For Jains, Mahavira attaining moksha.
Across all of them: light, renewal, family, and starting the year clean.

When is Diwali?

People often ask when is diwali because the date shifts every year on the Gregorian calendar. This is because the festival is timed to the new moon of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. The main day of the five-day festival always falls on the darkest night, bringing communities together to light up the darkness.

Diwali falls on the new moon of Kartik, so the Gregorian date changes each year - usually mid-October to mid-November.
The main day is the third of five, the darkest night of the lunar month.
Celebrations run for five days in most traditions.
It is a public holiday in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Fiji and Trinidad, among others, but not in the UK.

The five days

This is not just a single night of festivities, but a glorious five-day journey. If you are looking for everything you need to know gold and diwali, the first day is when buying precious metal is highly auspicious. Understanding these daily rituals reveals the deep spiritual rhythm of the wider diwali celebrations.

Dhanteras - cleaning the home and buying something metal, traditionally gold or kitchenware, for prosperity.
Naraka Chaturdashi, or Choti Diwali - early baths, rangoli, and the first lamps.
Diwali itself - Lakshmi Puja, the most lamps, new clothes, fireworks and the main family meal.
Govardhan Puja or Annakut - food offerings and, in some regions, the new business year.
Bhai Dooj - brothers and sisters, marked with a tilak, sweets and gifts.

Customs and decorations

Creating a warm, welcoming home is central to how millions of people celebrate diwali each year. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated to invite prosperity and peace inside. From beautiful patterns drawn at the doorstep to the warm glow of traditional lamps, these physical preparations reflect an inner spiritual renewal.

Diyas - small clay oil lamps - lit in windows, doorways and along walls.
Rangoli patterns in coloured powder, rice or petals at the entrance, to welcome guests and Lakshmi.
A deep clean of the whole house before the festival.
New clothes for the main day.
Fairy lights and lanterns across the front of the house.
Fireworks and sparklers, with more people choosing quieter displays for pets and neighbours.
Puja at home or at the mandir or gurdwara.
Cards and gifts exchanged with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

Diwali food and sweets

No celebration is complete without delicious food, and this festival is famous for its incredible array of sweet and savoury treats. Sharing edible gifts with friends, family, and neighbours is one of the most beloved customs, symbolising sweetness and goodwill for the upcoming diwali new year.

Mithai boxes - barfi, ladoo, jalebi, kaju katli - shared with everyone who visits.
Savoury snacks: samosas, chevda, mathri, pakoras.
A vegetarian feast on the main night in most households.
Annakut - a mountain of food offered at the mandir on the fourth day.
Boxes of sweets given to neighbours, colleagues and anyone who calls in.

Diwali in the UK

If you want to experience the festival firsthand, the UK hosts some of the most spectacular public diwali celebrations outside of India. From massive street festivals with music and light switch-ons to peaceful gatherings at local temples, British towns and cities offer many ways to mark the occasion.

Leicester's Belgrave Road hosts one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, with lights switched on weeks in advance.
Diwali on the Square in Trafalgar Square, London, with music, dance and food.
Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff all hold public celebrations.
Mandirs and gurdwaras hold open events - Neasden Temple in London draws very large crowds.
Many UK schools and workplaces mark it, and it's usual to send a card or wish colleagues Happy Diwali.
'Happy Diwali' or 'Diwali Mubarak' are both widely used and welcome greetings.

Diwali etiquette if you're invited

Being invited to join a family for the festival is a wonderful honour. While hosts do not expect you to know everything about their diwali traditions, following a few simple cultural courtesies will show your respect and ensure you have a fantastic, comfortable time symbolising friendship.

Accept the food. Refusing hospitality is the only real misstep.
Take sweets, flowers or something for the home - avoid leather and alcohol.
Dress smartly and brightly; black is generally avoided.
Take your shoes off at the door.
Say Happy Diwali, or Shubh Deepavali.
Ask before photographing a puja.

Key things to remember

Send the card before the main day rather than after - Diwali greetings are exchanged in the run-up.
If colleagues celebrate, ask which day their family marks; the five days differ by region.
Quiet fireworks and lanterns are increasingly popular for households with pets and young children.

Frequently asked questions

What is Diwali?

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists, marking the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It's observed with lamps, rangoli, puja, new clothes, sweets and family gatherings.

When is Diwali?

Diwali falls on the new moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, so the date moves each year - normally between mid-October and mid-November. Celebrations run over five days, with the main day third.

How do you wish someone a happy Diwali?

'Happy Diwali', 'Shubh Deepavali' or 'Diwali Mubarak' are all commonly used and warmly received. For Sikh friends, 'Happy Bandi Chhor Divas' is thoughtful.

What do you give at Diwali?

Boxes of mithai (Indian sweets), dried fruit and nuts, candles and lamps, and small gifts for the home. Avoid leather and alcohol, and it's traditional to buy something metal on Dhanteras.

Do you sell Diwali cards?

We don't have a Diwali range. Our blank-inside cards and candles work well for the festival, and our Diwali card messages guide has wording you can use.

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Where to shop next

Cards to send at Diwali

We don't make a Diwali range - what we do make is blank-inside cards, printed in the UK, that you can write your own greeting in. There's wording help in our Diwali card messages guide.