Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. It falls on Amavasya (new moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik (Ashwin in some calendars), so the date changes every year, usually between mid-October and mid-November.
The five days of Diwali
Diwali is a five-day festival. The main day, Lakshmi Puja, is the third day:
- Dhanteras: a day for buying gold, silver or new utensils, which is considered lucky.
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali): celebrates Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura.
- Lakshmi Puja (Diwali): the main night. Homes are lit with diyas, and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi.
- Govardhan Puja / Annakut: in Gujarat and some other regions, this is also the start of the new year.
- Bhai Dooj: sisters pray for their brothers' long life.
Exact puja muhurat (auspicious time) depends on your city. Check a local panchang for timings.
Why the date changes
Diwali follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It is celebrated on Amavasya, the new-moon night, of the month of Kartik (in the purnimanta calendar used in North India) or Ashwin (in the amanta calendar). Because lunar months don't match the Gregorian calendar, Diwali moves between roughly mid-October and mid-November.
What Diwali celebrates
Diwali, from the Sanskrit deepavali ("row of lights"), celebrates the victory of light over darkness. In North India, it marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day, and Jains mark the nirvana of Lord Mahavira. Diwali is a public holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries.
Diwali prep countdown
- 3–4 weeks out: deep-clean and declutter the home (a traditional part of welcoming Lakshmi); book travel home early.
- 2 weeks out: shop for clothes, gifts and decorations; plan sweets and snacks.
- 1 week out: buy diyas, candles, rangoli colours and puja items.
- Dhanteras: buy gold, silver or utensils if that's your family tradition.
Diwali dates for upcoming years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, November 8, 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Friday, October 29, 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | Tuesday, October 17, 2028 | Tuesday |
How many days until Diwali from other dates?
Counting from the start of each date to the start of Diwali 2026 (Sunday, November 8, 2026):
| From | Date | Days until Diwali |
|---|---|---|
| 1st of November | Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 7 days (1 week) |
| Halloween | Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 8 days (1 week, 1 day) |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 | 62 days (8 weeks, 6 days) |
| Fourth of July | Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 127 days (18 weeks, 1 day) |
| Father's Day | Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 140 days (20 weeks) |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | 167 days (23 weeks, 6 days) |
| Mother's Day | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 182 days (26 weeks) |
| New Year's Day 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 311 days (44 weeks, 3 days) |
Need a different start date? Count the days from any date to Diwali.
Diwali quick facts
- Diwali always falls on a new-moon night (Amavasya).
- In 2023, New York City made Diwali a public school holiday.
- Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh) and Mahavira's Nirvana (Jain) are observed at the same time.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Why does Diwali change date every year?
Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar and falls on the new moon of Kartik/Ashwin, so its Gregorian date moves each year.
How many days is Diwali?
Diwali is a five-day festival, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj. The main day is Lakshmi Puja.
Is Diwali a holiday in the US?
It's not a federal holiday, but New York City public schools and some other districts close for Diwali.
How long until Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how much time is left in days, hours, minutes and seconds, updated every second in your local time zone.
What day of the week is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 falls on a Sunday (Sunday, November 8, 2026).
How many weeks until Diwali?
The chip under the countdown shows the weeks and extra days left until Diwali. The number updates automatically each day, so it's always current.
When is Diwali 2027?
After 2026, the next Diwali is on Friday, October 29, 2027. See the table on this page for more upcoming dates.
Does this Diwali countdown use my time zone?
Yes. The countdown runs to 12:00 AM on Diwali in the time zone set on your phone or computer, so the numbers are right wherever you are.
Sources
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