Diwali 2026 (Deepavali) falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026 — celebrated by an estimated 32+ million-strong Indian diaspora across 100+ countries. This complete global guide covers how NRIs and Indian-origin communities mark Diwali across 30+ countries worldwide.

For the general Diwali guide covering the 5-day calendar, Lakshmi Puja vidhi, muhurat times and apartment-friendly celebration tips, see our companion piece: Diwali 2026 Complete NRI Guide.

Countries Where Diwali is a Public Holiday

Diwali is recognised as a public holiday in these countries with significant Indian-origin populations:

  • India (all states)
  • Fiji
  • Mauritius
  • Guyana
  • Suriname
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Nepal (Tihar)
  • Malaysia (some states)
  • Sri Lanka
  • Singapore (Deepavali is a national holiday)

USA — White House Celebration + Nationwide Events

Indian Americans are approximately 5 million+ strong, and Diwali celebrations span every major US metro. The White House annual Diwali celebration hosted by the sitting President is a landmark tradition.

New Jersey / New York

  • Diwali on the Hudson (Jersey City), Diwali Mela in Edison, Iselin
  • Times Square Diwali events organised by Indian community groups
  • BAPS Robbinsville, Hindu Temple Society of North America (Ganesh Temple, Flushing) as anchor venues
  • Bengali Association Durga Puja concludes just before Diwali — extended festival season

California (Bay Area, Los Angeles)

  • Fremont, Sunnyvale, San Ramon, Cupertino host major Diwali festivals
  • Festival of Globe (FOG) Diwali events, San Francisco Bay Area Diwali Mela
  • LA: BAPS Chino Hills, Malibu Hindu Temple, Long Beach Diwali events

Chicago (Illinois)

  • BAPS Bartlett, Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (Lemont) programmes
  • Devon Avenue Little India Diwali celebrations
  • Federation of Indian Associations Chicago organises major public events

Houston + Dallas + Austin (Texas)

  • BAPS Stafford, Sri Meenakshi Temple (Pearland), Ekta Temple Austin
  • DFW Hindu Temple, BAPS Irving programmes
  • Diwali Melas at Sugar Land, Plano and Richardson community centres

Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, DC, Denver

  • Growing Diwali public celebrations at temples and community centres
  • Boston: MIT + Harvard Diwali celebrations for the student community
  • DC: US Capitol + White House Diwali receptions

Political / Cultural Recognition

  • New York City schools observe Diwali as a public school holiday
  • Multiple states have introduced Diwali holiday legislation
  • US Congress hosts annual Diwali celebrations

United Kingdom — Leicester + London Diwali on Trafalgar Square

The UK has one of the largest and oldest Indian diaspora Diwali celebrations globally. Leicester and London anchor the community.

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Leicester

  • Leicester Diwali Lights on the Golden Mile (Belgrave Road) is considered one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, with tens of thousands attending the light switch-on
  • Multi-day festival programme with fireworks, cultural performances, food stalls
  • Leicester City Council co-organises with community organisations

London

  • Diwali on Trafalgar Square — the Mayor of London's annual Diwali celebration in Central London
  • Wembley, Southall, Ilford, East Ham host large community events
  • BAPS Neasden (largest Hindu temple in Europe) hosts major Diwali programmes
  • ISKCON London, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Bhaktivedanta Manor (Watford)

Birmingham, Manchester, Coventry, Slough, Wolverhampton

  • Major regional Diwali events at community centres and temples
  • Growing Diwali on the streets programmes in Midlands cities

Canada — Toronto Yonge-Dundas Square + Vancouver Diwali Fest

Greater Toronto Area

  • Diwali Row at Gerrard Street East — Toronto's historic Little India
  • Diwali Mela at Brampton, Mississauga community centres
  • BAPS Toronto, Hindu Sabha Mississauga, ISKCON Toronto
  • Yonge-Dundas Square Diwali events

Vancouver + British Columbia

  • Vancouver Diwali Fest at Van Dusen Botanical Garden and multiple community centres
  • Surrey and Burnaby community celebrations

Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal

  • Regional Diwali Melas + community centre programmes

Australia — Sydney Parramasala + Melbourne Diwali Festival

Sydney

  • Parramasala Festival in Parramatta — major multicultural Diwali-adjacent event
  • Deepavali Fair at Sydney Olympic Park
  • Sri Venkateswara Temple Helensburgh, BAPS Rosehill as anchor venues
  • Harris Park, Blacktown, Wentworthville host community events

Melbourne

  • Federation Square Diwali celebrations
  • Diwali festivals at Victoria Multicultural Centre
  • Growing celebrations in Wyndham, Casey, Dandenong

Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra

  • Regional community Diwali events at Hindu temples and cultural centres

New Zealand — Auckland Diwali Festival

  • Auckland Diwali Festival at Aotea Square, considered one of the biggest cultural events in NZ
  • Wellington Diwali Festival at Michael Fowler Centre
  • Christchurch community events at Hindu temples
  • Auckland Indian Association and Waitakere Indian Association co-organise programmes

UAE — Dubai Downtown + BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir

The UAE has one of the largest concentrated Indian populations globally, and Diwali is celebrated widely.

Dubai

  • Bur Dubai Hindu Temple (traditional anchor)
  • Dubai Downtown Diwali celebrations at Dubai Mall + Burj Khalifa (light shows in recent years)
  • Community events at Al Nasr Leisureland, cultural clubs

Abu Dhabi

  • BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi (opened February 2024) hosts landmark Diwali celebrations
  • Community events at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque area cultural centres

Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman

  • Growing community-organised events

Singapore — Deepavali Public Holiday + Little India

  • Deepavali is a public holiday in Singapore
  • Little India (Serangoon Road) light-up spans multiple weeks — iconic street decoration
  • Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple + Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple central to community events
  • Bengali Association Singapore Diwali celebrations
  • Deepavali fair with cultural performances, food, crafts

Malaysia — Batu Caves + Public Holiday in Most States

  • Deepavali is a public holiday in Malaysian states with significant Indian populations
  • Batu Caves + Sri Mahamariamman Temple KL central
  • Little India in Brickfields (KL) + Georgetown (Penang) host community events
  • Multi-community Deepavali celebrations sponsored by state tourism boards
  • Kolam (rangoli) competitions at major public venues

Fiji — Public Holiday + Nationwide Celebrations

Fiji has one of the world's highest per-capita Indian-origin populations (approximately 38%), and Diwali is a public holiday.

  • Nationwide celebrations from Suva to Nadi to Lautoka
  • Community programmes at Ramakrishna Mission, Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha
  • Traditional home diyas + fireworks (subject to safety rules)
  • Multi-cultural participation — Fijian Diwali is genuinely a national festival

Mauritius — Diwali is a National Holiday

Mauritius has approximately 68% Indian-origin population — the highest per-capita concentration globally. Divali is a public holiday.

  • Nationwide celebration — Port Louis to Curepipe to Vacoas-Phoenix
  • Traditional home diyas, community programmes at every major temple
  • Hindu Maha Sabha and Arya Sabha coordinate
  • Distinct Mauritian Diwali food traditions (dholl puri, gato coco, etc.)

Trinidad and Tobago — Divali Nagar + Public Holiday

Indian-origin Trinidadians (~35-40% of the population) celebrate Divali as one of the most anticipated events of the year. Divali is a public holiday.

  • Divali Nagar at Chaguanas — a multi-day pre-Divali cultural festival that has become a Trinidad institution
  • Deyas (Trinidadian spelling of “diyas”) light up homes across the island
  • Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha coordinates major programmes
  • Multi-cultural celebration — Trinidadians of all backgrounds participate

Guyana — Divali Motorcade + Public Holiday

  • Divali is a public holiday in Guyana
  • The traditional Guyanese Diwali Motorcade (decorated vehicles + floats) is a national tradition
  • Georgetown + Berbice + New Amsterdam host community programmes
  • Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha coordinates

Suriname — Divali Public Holiday

  • Divali is a public holiday in Suriname
  • Paramaribo hosts the largest community celebrations
  • Sanatan Dharm and Arya Samaj organise multi-day festival programmes
  • Distinct Surinamese-Indian traditions preserved for generations

South Africa — Durban + Chatsworth Diwali Celebrations

South Africa has approximately 1.5 million Indian-origin people, primarily concentrated in KwaZulu-Natal.

  • Durban, Chatsworth, Phoenix, Verulam anchor community Diwali celebrations
  • Sri Sathya Sai organisation, Divine Life Society, BAPS Durban host major programmes
  • Diwali Festival at Suncoast Casino + Durban Botanic Gardens
  • Lenasia (Johannesburg) + Cape Town host active regional events
  • Kolams at community centres, temple + home Lakshmi Puja

Kenya — Nairobi + Mombasa Diwali Programmes

  • Established Gujarati + Punjabi community organises major events
  • Hindu Council of Kenya, Arya Samaj, BAPS Nairobi coordinate
  • Community celebrations at Hindu temples in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu
  • Kenyan-Indian food and cultural fusion traditions

Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda

  • Tanzania (Dar es Salaam): Hindu community programmes at temples
  • Uganda (Kampala): Rebuilt community since the 1980s+ return; active Diwali events at BAPS + community centres
  • Rwanda (Kigali): Growing Indian expat community with Diwali gatherings at Indian association venues

West Africa — Nigeria, Ghana

  • Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja): Indian community associations organise Diwali celebrations at community halls; growing tech/business diaspora
  • Ghana (Accra): Indian association + Hindu community programmes

Hong Kong — Sindhi + Gujarati Community Roots

  • Established Indian community with roots to 19th century (Sindhi, Gujarati)
  • Sindhi Association of Hong Kong, Indian Chamber of Commerce
  • ISKCON Hong Kong hosts community festival programmes
  • Diwali celebrations at Tsim Sha Tsui + Central district community venues

Japan — Tokyo Nishikasai Diwali

  • Growing Indian expat community concentrated in Tokyo (Nishikasai neighbourhood) and Osaka
  • Indian Merchants Association Tokyo + Indian Community Association Tokyo host Diwali celebrations
  • Nishikasai (“Little India” of Tokyo) hosts multi-day Diwali events
  • ISKCON Tokyo programmes

South Korea — Seoul

  • Growing Indian expat + student community in Seoul
  • Indian Association Korea organises community Diwali events
  • Embassy of India cultural centre programmes

Thailand — Bangkok + Chiang Mai Sikh + Hindu Communities

  • Established Indian community (~150,000), including strong Sikh community
  • Sri Gurusingh Sabha Bangkok is a central Sikh venue
  • Hindu Samaj Bangkok coordinates Diwali community events
  • Little India in Phahurat (Bangkok) is the cultural anchor
  • Diwali celebrations at Silom + Sukhumvit community venues

Indonesia — Jakarta + Bali

Indonesia is unique — Bali has an indigenous Hindu culture (~85% of Bali population), which shares Diwali-adjacent traditions with the Indian Hindu Diwali.

  • Jakarta hosts an active Indian expat community with major Diwali events
  • Bali has its own Hindu festival calendar with related light-and-victory-themed observances
  • ISKCON Jakarta + Balinese temples host community programmes
  • Balinese-Indian cross-cultural Diwali events

Philippines — Manila Sindhi + Sikh Community

  • Established Sindhi + Sikh community (~150,000)
  • Manila's Little India in Paco district as cultural anchor
  • Sikh temples + Hindu cultural associations host Diwali events
  • Business community programmes at Makati venues

Vietnam — Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi

  • Growing Indian expat community (~5,000+)
  • Indian Business Chamber Vietnam + Indian community associations organise Diwali programmes
  • Embassy of India cultural events

Mainland China — Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen

  • Indian expat business + tech community (~25,000+) in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen
  • Indian associations organise Diwali events at cultural centres
  • Embassy of India cultural programmes

Germany — Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg

  • Berlin's Indian community organises Diwali events at community centres
  • Munich and Frankfurt Hindu temples host Diwali programmes
  • Bengali Association of Germany + Marathi Mandal Germany
  • Growing tech-diaspora communities in Berlin + Munich
  • Diwali on Alexanderplatz (Berlin) and Munich Marienplatz cultural events in recent years

France — Paris Diwali Celebrations

  • Paris's Ganesha Temple in La Chapelle central to Hindu community events
  • Tamil diaspora celebrates Diwali with strong South Indian traditions
  • Growing Bengali community organises Kali Puja (which falls on Diwali night)
  • Aubervilliers + Sarcelles NRI catchment areas

Netherlands — Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague

  • Indian community centres in Amsterdam and Rotterdam
  • Sanatan Dharma community + Suriname-origin Hindu community both celebrate
  • ISKCON Amsterdam hosts festival programmes
  • Distinct Netherlands-Hindu (Suriname-origin) Diwali traditions

Ireland — Dublin

  • Dublin's Indian community organises Diwali events at community halls
  • ISKCON Dublin programmes
  • Growing tech-diaspora community
  • Dublin Diwali Festival in some recent years at Merrion Square

Scandinavia — Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland

  • Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo): Indian associations + BAPS Stockholm; Bengali Association Sweden
  • Norway (Oslo): Sanatan Mandir Sabha + community groups
  • Denmark (Copenhagen): Indian community centre programmes
  • Finland (Helsinki): Growing tech-diaspora community events

Central Europe — Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary

  • Poland (Warsaw, Krakow): Growing Indian tech + student community
  • Czech Republic (Prague): ISKCON Prague + Indian association events
  • Austria (Vienna): Indian community centre + Bengali Association Diwali
  • Hungary (Budapest): Growing Indian community programmes

Iberian Peninsula — Spain, Portugal

  • Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Las Palmas): Indian + Sikh community programmes; Barcelona has strong Punjabi community
  • Portugal (Lisbon): Portuguese-heritage Goan community + newer NRI diaspora

Italy, Belgium, Switzerland

  • Italy (Milan, Rome): Sikh + Hindu community celebrations; Milan Diwali events
  • Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp): Indian community events; Antwerp diamond-trade Gujarati Diwali celebrations
  • Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva): Bengali association Diwali + Hindu community events

Rest of the Gulf — Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia

  • Qatar (Doha): Indian Cultural Centre Qatar + Indian schools organise Diwali events
  • Kuwait: Indian Cultural Society + community associations
  • Bahrain (Manama): Indian Ladies Association + Krishna Temple, Sikh Gurdwara
  • Oman (Muscat): Indian Social Club + Krishna Temple, Sikh Gurdwara
  • Saudi Arabia: Community events at Indian consulate + within Indian schools (permits required)

Rest of the Americas — Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia

  • Brazil (Sao Paulo, Rio): Growing Indian community; ISKCON Brazil + Sri Sathya Sai programmes
  • Argentina (Buenos Aires): Indian association cultural centre events
  • Mexico (Mexico City): Indian expat community programmes
  • Colombia (Bogota): Growing Indian association events

Common Global Diwali Traditions

  • Lakshmi Puja — household + community worship of the goddess of prosperity
  • Diyas + candles — lighting rows of lamps (physical or LED substitutes in apartments)
  • Rangoli / Kolam — entrance decorative art
  • Fireworks / firecrackers — subject to local safety rules; many diaspora communities favour community fireworks over home use
  • Sweets and mithai — kaju katli, gulab jamun, ladoo, jalebi, soan papdi across all diaspora communities
  • New clothes + gifts — family gift-giving and new-clothing traditions
  • Chopda Pujan — Marwari + Gujarati business families open new account books
  • Kali Puja — Bengali diaspora observes Kali Puja on Diwali night
  • Bandi Chhor Divas — Sikh community celebrates Guru Hargobind's release
  • Jain Diwali — commemorates Mahavir's attainment of moksha

Why Diwali is the World's Most-Celebrated Indian Festival

Diwali brings together practising Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists (in some traditions) and secular Indian-origin communities worldwide. Its themes — light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, prosperity, family togetherness — translate across regions, languages and generations. The 32+ million Indian diaspora plus millions of non-diaspora participants make Diwali one of the world's most-celebrated festivals.

Planning Tips for NRI Families

  1. Book community Diwali Mela tickets 2-4 weeks in advance — the popular ones sell out
  2. Check your local temple for exact Lakshmi Puja muhurat in your city
  3. Coordinate video calls with family in India for shared aarti moments across time zones
  4. Order mithai / sweets from Indian grocery / bakery 1-2 weeks ahead — local shops book up
  5. Plan apartment-friendly diya alternatives (LED diyas) alongside a small ghee lamp for aarti
  6. Involve children in rangoli and diya arrangement — strong cultural bonding activity

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the biggest Diwali celebration outside India?

Leicester (UK) hosts one of the world's largest Diwali celebrations. London Trafalgar Square, Auckland (NZ), Singapore Little India, Fiji (nationwide), Mauritius (nationwide), Trinidad Divali Nagar, and Durban (South Africa) are all major Diwali hubs.

In which countries is Diwali a public holiday?

India (all states), Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Nepal (Tihar), Singapore, Sri Lanka, and some Malaysian states.

What is Diwali called in different countries?

Diwali (Hindi), Deepavali (South Indian), Divali (Caribbean), Tihar (Nepal), Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh tradition). All refer to the same festival window.

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What is the White House Diwali celebration?

An annual event hosted by the President of the United States since 2003, formally recognising the contributions of Indian Americans and Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist Americans.

Are Diwali fireworks allowed in the USA and UK?

Most residential fireworks are heavily regulated. Attend community fireworks events at authorised venues. Use only permitted sparklers where allowed by local law.

How do Bengali NRIs celebrate on Diwali night?

Bengali households celebrate Kali Puja on the same night, worshipping Goddess Kali. Many community pandals across the diaspora host midnight Kali Puja.

Shubh Deepavali! Happy Diwali from NRI Globe to every corner of the Indian diaspora.

Whether you celebrate in New Jersey, London, Leicester, Toronto, Sydney, Auckland, Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Suva, Port Louis, Chaguanas, Georgetown, Durban, Nairobi, Tokyo, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam or beyond — may Goddess Lakshmi bless every NRI home this Diwali with wisdom, prosperity, peace and cultural continuity.

Disclaimer: Community event details, temple schedules and exact Diwali muhurat times vary by city and tradition. Confirm event details with your local temple or Indian association. Fireworks, effigy-burning and public celebrations must follow local safety codes and permit requirements. NRI Globe provides journalism and general information only.