New Jersey + New York is home to USA's largest NRI community. Diwali 2026 (Nov 8) brings the biggest USA Diwali celebration - Times Square Diwali (60,000+ attendees), Oak Tree Road Edison events, BAPS Robbinsville Akshardham grand celebration + NASDAQ closing bell ceremony.

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The five-day festival runs Dhanteras Nov 6 - Bhai Dooj Nov 10 per location-based panchang.

Times Square Diwali NYC

Diwali at Times Square - annual signature celebration:

  • Traditionally held on Saturday closest to Diwali (Nov 8, 2026)
  • 60,000-100,000+ attendees expected
  • Cultural performances + Bollywood stars + fireworks
  • Sponsored by Association of Indians in America (AIA)
  • Free to attend
  • Broadway + Bhangra performances
  • Traditional prasad distribution

Oak Tree Road Edison + Iselin

Oak Tree Road (Little India NJ) transforms during Diwali:

  • Street decorated with lights + banners
  • 30+ Indian dress + jewellery stores open extended hours
  • Special Diwali menu at 40+ restaurants
  • Community sweet shop deliveries (Kaka's, Rajbhog Cafe)
  • Diwali fashion shows + cultural evenings
  • Middle-of-street live music + community gathering
  • Iselin Community Center Diwali celebration (Nov 8)

BAPS Robbinsville Akshardham

The world's largest Hindu temple outside India:

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  • Grand 5-day Diwali celebrations
  • Annakut Nov 9 - 1000+ dish spread
  • Lakshmi puja Nov 8 evening
  • Fireworks display (permitted)
  • Attracts 10,000+ NRI families each day
  • Free entry; donations welcome
  • Multiple parking lots (arrive early)

Major NJ + NY Temples Hosting Diwali

  • BAPS Robbinsville Akshardham - flagship celebration
  • Sri Guruvayoorappan Temple (Morganville) - Kerala tradition
  • Hindu Temple Society NA (Flushing NY) - Kanchipuram-modeled temple
  • Sri Venkateswara Temple (Bridgewater NJ)
  • Sri Umiya Mataji Mandir (Norwood)
  • Chinmaya Vrindavan (Cranbury)
  • ISKCON New Jersey (Towaco)
  • Kalibari NJ (Bengali - Kali Puja same night)

Nassau Coliseum + Metropolitan Diwali

  • Nassau Coliseum (Long Island) hosts massive community Diwali
  • Bollywood concert night
  • Cultural performances
  • 10,000+ attendees
  • Ticketed event $25-100 per person

NASDAQ Diwali Closing Bell

  • Annual Diwali closing bell ceremony at NASDAQ MarketSite Times Square
  • Indian-American business leaders participate
  • Held Friday closest to Diwali
  • Photo op + business networking

Community Associations

  • Federation of Indian Associations (FIA)
  • Association of Indians in America (AIA)
  • Indian American Cultural Society
  • NJ Bengali Association + Kallol NJ
  • NJ Telangana Association
  • Gujarati Samaj of NJ
  • NY Marathi Association

Finding Events in NJ + NY 2026

  • Facebook: "NJ Diwali 2026", "Times Square Diwali"
  • News India Times, TV Asia
  • BAPS Robbinsville website
  • Community WhatsApp groups via Oak Tree Road grocers
  • Eventbrite: "Diwali NJ 2026"

NRI Family Tips for NJ + NY Diwali

  1. Book Nassau Coliseum + concert tickets 3-4 weeks ahead
  2. Oak Tree Road shopping - visit weekdays to avoid crowds
  3. BAPS Robbinsville - arrive by 5 PM for peak evening puja
  4. Times Square Diwali - subway from anywhere (no parking near)
  5. Book Diwali sweets from Kaka's / Rajbhog Cafe 2 weeks ahead
  6. Traffic on Oak Tree Rd Nov 7-8 heavy - allow extra time
  7. NJ November weather: 45-60°F, warm jacket essential
  8. Fireworks: NJ allows sparklers only; drive to PA for consumer fireworks

Disclaimer: Event details change. Verify with organizers.