Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, November 8. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration running from Dhanteras on Friday, November 6, through Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, November 10. It celebrates light over darkness and good over evil, and it is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists in India and across the world, including millions of families here in the United States. This page is Kulture Khazana’s home for everything Diwali: the dates, the stories, activities for every age, free printables, and the kits and gifts we make to help families celebrate.
A note from me
Hi, I’m Akruti, a mom and the founder of Kulture Khazana. When my son was born, I wanted him to grow up loving Diwali the way I did as a little girl in India: the rangoli at the door, the sparklers, the sweets, and the stories my family told every single year. But when I went looking for toys and books that reflected our festival, I found almost nothing. So I started making them. Now I get to share it all over again with my second child, my little girl.
Since then, Kulture Khazana has reached more than 45,000 families, schools, libraries, temples and nonprofits across the U.S. I’ve shared Diwali with children at the Smithsonian’s Diwali celebration, in classrooms and in corporate offices, and on Good Morning America and CBS Mornings. Whether your family has celebrated Diwali for generations or you’re learning about it for the first time, I hope this page helps you make it joyful, meaningful and yours.
When is Diwali 2026? The five days at a glance
Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar, so the date moves every year. It falls on the new moon (Amavasya) of the month of Kartik, which is why the main night is the darkest of the month and the lamps matter so much.
| Day | Date (2026) | What it celebrates | A kid-friendly way to mark it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday, Nov 6 | Goddess Lakshmi. Prosperity and health; the start of the festival | Help polish a small brass or steel item, or pick out one new thing for the home. Decorate the home and make rangoli. |
| Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas) | Saturday, Nov 7 | Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura; in some states it is Kali Chaudas and honors Kali Ma. Also called Roop Chaudas in Rajasthan and Bhoot Chaturdashi in Bengal, and it is the main day of Deepavali in much of South India | Make rangoli at the front door and set out diyas for tomorrow |
| Diwali / Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, Nov 8 | Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Rama’s homecoming, light over darkness. In Bengal, Odisha and Assam, this is the night of Kali Puja | Light diyas at sunset, do a simple puja, share sweets |
| Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Monday, Nov 9 | Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect his village. Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas), and Padwa or Bali Pratipada in Maharashtra and Karnataka | Cook or help arrange a “mountain” of food to share |
| Bhai Dooj | Tuesday, Nov 10 | The bond between brothers and sisters, siblings. Also called Bhai Bij, Bhau Beej, Bhai Phonta and Bhai Tika | Siblings and cousins make each other a card or small gift |
A note for families in the U.S.: some temples and families observe the main night based on local moon timings, so check with your local mandir or community. Many families also celebrate on the closest weekend, and that is completely fine. The spirit of the festival matters far more than the exact hour.
Start here: our Diwali guides
- Diwali 2026 for Kids: What It Is, When It Is & How to Celebrate as a Family: my complete family guide, with the five days, how I explain Diwali to young children, and six easy ways to celebrate at home.
- How to Share the Joy of Diwali in the Classroom: a ready-to-use plan for parents and teachers.
What is Diwali? How to explain it to a child
When I explain Diwali to a room full of five-year-olds, I start with the dark. I ask them to imagine the darkest night of the year, no moon at all, and then I ask what happens when one person lights one small lamp. Then another person lights one. Then the whole street. That picture, a dark night slowly filling with tiny flames, is Diwali. The word itself comes from the Sanskrit Deepavali, which means “a row of lamps.”
From there, the stories give the lights a reason:
- Rama comes home. In the Ramayana, Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana return to the city of Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile and after defeating the ten-headed king Ravana. The people light lamps along every path so the family can find their way home in the dark. This is the story most children in North India grow up with, and it’s the easiest one to start with.
- Lakshmi visits. Families clean and decorate their homes and leave lamps burning to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, who brings prosperity, good fortune, and abundance.
- Krishna defeats Narakasura. In parts of South India, Diwali celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over a demon who had imprisoned thousands of people.
- Kali Ma protects us from darkness. In Gujarat, Kali Chaudas, the night before Diwali, honors Mahakali, who keeps families safe from evil and fear. In West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, Kali Puja is celebrated on the main Diwali night itself, with Kali Ma worshipped late into the night.
- Bandi Chhor Divas. Sikhs celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar is lit up in his honor.
- Mahavira’s nirvana. Jains mark the day Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara, attained moksha.
Children don’t need every version on day one. I usually tell one story well, then mention that different families celebrate for different reasons, and that all of them share the same idea: light, goodness, and coming together.
Listen together: our audio story, The Diwali Story, is perfect for sharing at bedtime. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music or YouTube Music.
How Diwali is celebrated across India
There is no single way to celebrate Diwali. The festival looks a little different in every region of India, and in every family. Here are some of the traditions you may see, and if your family celebrates differently, I would love to hear about it.
| Region | How Diwali is celebrated |
|---|---|
| North India | Lamps light the way for Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. Families perform Lakshmi and Ganesha Puja on the main night, followed by Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. In Rajasthan, the day before Diwali is Roop Chaudas. In Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhath Puja follows six days after Diwali. |
| Gujarat | Diwali begins with Vagh Baras, then Dhanteras and Kali Chaudas, when families honor Mahakali. On Diwali night, businesses perform Chopda Pujan to bless new account books. The next day is Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, when everyone wishes each other “Saal Mubarak,” followed by Bhai Bij and Labh Pancham. |
| Maharashtra | The festival opens with Vasu Baras. On Narak Chaturdashi, families wake before dawn for Abhyanga Snan, a fragrant oil bath. Homes fill with faral, the special Diwali snacks, and children build clay forts. Diwali Padwa celebrates husbands and wives, and Bhau Beej celebrates siblings. |
| West Bengal, Odisha and Assam | The night before Diwali is Bhoot Chaturdashi, when families light 14 lamps for their ancestors. The main night is Kali Puja, when Kali Ma is worshipped late into the night. Siblings celebrate Bhai Phonta. |
| South India | In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Deepavali is celebrated on Naraka Chaturdashi, marking Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. Families take an oil bath before sunrise, wear new clothes, share sweets and light fireworks. In Karnataka, Bali Padyami honors King Bali. |
| Goa | Before dawn on Narak Chaturdashi, communities burn giant paper effigies of Narakasura, then celebrate good winning over evil. |
| Sikh and Jain families | Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar glows with lights. Jains mark Lord Mahavira’s nirvana, and the next day begins the Jain New Year. |
| Nepal | Diwali is Tihar, five days that honor crows, dogs and cows, Goddess Laxmi, and finally siblings with Bhai Tika. |
How to celebrate Diwali at home
- Clean and decorate together. Give each child one small job, then make something to hang on the walls, like Lippan mirror art.
- Make rangoli at the front door. Rangoli welcomes guests and good fortune. With little ones, a rangoli puzzle gives you all the color with none of the powder on the carpet.
- Light diyas at sunset. LED diyas are perfect for little hands, and older kids can decorate clay diyas for an adult to light.
- Do a simple Lakshmi Puja. A lamp, flowers, sweets, a bell and a short prayer to Lakshmi and Ganesha is plenty.
- Share sweets with neighbors. Let your child pack the box and explain the festival in their own words.
- Tell the stories at bedtime. Read the Ramayana or play The Diwali Story the week before, then let the kids act it out.
Rangoli and sparklers were the biggest highlight of Diwali for me as a kid in India, and now they’re my son’s favorite parts too.
Diwali activities by age
| Age | Activity ideas |
|---|---|
| 2 to 4 | Big-piece rangoli puzzles, coloring sheets, sorting flowers for the puja |
| 5 to 7 | Sand art rangoli, foil rangoli, Diwali Bingo |
| 8 to 12 | Lippan mirror art, rangoli coasters as gifts, helping cook a sweet |
| Adults | Rangoli coasters, Lippan art, a rangoli coloring book |
Free Diwali printables
- Rangoli Mandala coloring sheets
- Diwali Bingo game
- Diwali Classroom Presentation for teachers and parents
Diwali kits and gifts for kids
Every kit we make is designed so children can take part in the festival, not just watch it. A few family favorites:
- Family Rangoli Puzzle (150 pieces): a puzzle the whole family can build together over Diwali weekend
- Mirror Magic Silver Foil Rangoli Puzzle: a giant shimmering rangoli for the floor, ages 4 and up
- Rangoli Mandala Foil Craft Kit: peel-and-press foil rangoli, tidy enough for travel
- Make Your Own Rangoli Coaster Kit: four wooden coasters to paint and gift
- DIY Lippan Art Kit: mirror art inspired by Kutch, Gujarat, new this year
- Puja Thali Kit for Kids: their very own prayer plate for Lakshmi Puja
- Diwali Burst Fidget Toy: an easy favor for classmates and party bags
Shop the full Diwali collection. Free shipping on orders over $39.99.
Where to buy Diwali kits in the USA
You can find Kulture Khazana in more places than ever this year:
- Our online store: shop.kulturekhazana.com, with our full collection and free shipping over $39.99
- Target: in select Target stores starting October 11, 2026
- Amazon and Nordstrom
- Local shops: find a store near you with our store locator
Our most-loved Diwali picks:
- Diwali Puja Kit for Kids: everything a child needs to celebrate and help host the family puja
- Diwali Celebration Kit: a festival in a box for families celebrating together
- Rangoli Mandala Bundle: our rangoli puzzle with the coloring and sticker book
- DIY Lippan Art Kit: new this year, mirror art for kids and grown-ups
- Rangoli Mandala Foil Craft Kit: an easy gift under $20
For teachers and classrooms
Some of my favorite Diwali moments have happened in classrooms, when a child who celebrates gets to be the expert in front of their friends. Start with our classroom plan and the free Diwali Classroom Presentation. Rangoli coaster kits and Diwali Burst fidget toys make easy, affordable activities and favors for a whole class.
Diwali for workplaces, museums and libraries
Kulture Khazana brings Diwali to employee resource groups, corporate offices, museums and libraries across the country, including multiple years at the Smithsonian’s Diwali celebration. We handle the cultural storytelling, the hands-on activities and every material, from a 45-minute lunch-and-learn to a full family celebration. Get in touch to bring Diwali to your team.
Diwali questions families ask us
When is Diwali in 2026?
The main day of Diwali in 2026 is Sunday, November 8, when families perform Lakshmi Puja. The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on Friday, November 6, to Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, November 10.
What is Diwali in simple words?
Diwali is the Festival of Lights. Families light small lamps called diyas, make colorful rangoli, share sweets and tell stories to celebrate light winning over darkness and good winning over evil.
Who celebrates Diwali?
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists, in India, Nepal and across the South Asian diaspora, including millions of families in the United States. Every region celebrates a little differently, and friends and neighbors of every background are warmly welcome to join in.
Is Diwali a holiday in the United States?
Diwali is not a federal holiday, but a growing number of school districts and communities recognize it, and many workplaces now celebrate it. Check your local school district’s calendar for 2026.
How can families who don’t celebrate Diwali take part?
Learn one of the stories together, make a rangoli, light a lamp at sunset and share sweets with friends who celebrate. The most respectful way to join in is to learn the meaning behind the traditions, not just the decorations.
Where can I buy Diwali kits and decorations for kids in the USA?
Kulture Khazana’s Diwali kits, rangoli puzzles and crafts are available at shop.kulturekhazana.com, in select Target stores, on Amazon and at Nordstrom. Popular picks include the Diwali Puja Kit for Kids, the Rangoli Mandala Bundle and the new DIY Lippan Art Kit.
What is a good Diwali activity for young children?
Building a rangoli is the classic Diwali activity. For toddlers and preschoolers, a large rangoli floor puzzle or coloring sheet gives them the joy of making rangoli without the mess of colored powder.
Wishing your family a bright and happy Diwali. ~ Akruti Babaria, mom and founder of Kulture Khazana