Diwali 2026: Date, 5-Day Festival Calendar and Significance
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most widely celebrated festival in the Hindu tradition. It marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and families celebrate it by lighting diyas, offering Lakshmi Puja, and sharing sweets. In 2026, the main day of Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November.
When Is Diwali in 2026?
The main day of Diwali, also called Lakshmi Puja, falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. It is observed on the Amavasya (new moon night) of the Hindu month of Kartik, which is why the Gregorian date shifts every year, usually landing in October or November.
One regional note: in much of South India, the bigger celebration is Naraka Chaturdashi on Saturday, 7 November, which commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Both traditions are correct for the regions that follow them.
The 5 Days of Diwali 2026
Diwali is not a single day but a five-day festival. Here are the dates for 2026:
| Day | Festival | Date (2026) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhanteras | Friday, 6 November | Worship of Dhanvantari and Lakshmi; buying gold, silver, and utensils is considered auspicious |
| 2 | Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) | Saturday, 7 November | Marks Krishna’s victory over Narakasura; the ritual morning oil bath |
| 3 | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sunday, 8 November | The main day: Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja in the evening, diyas, and fireworks |
| 4 | Govardhan Puja | Tuesday, 10 November | Honours Krishna lifting Govardhan hill; the annakut food offering |
| 5 | Bhai Dooj | Wednesday, 11 November | Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters |
Diwali and the Desi Calendar
Diwali falls in the desi month of Katak (Kartik in the Hindu calendar), the month that follows Assu. Katak is the month when autumn settles in across Punjab, the days grow shorter, and the harvest season winds down. See our Katak month page for the month’s dates, weather, and traditions.
Because Diwali follows the lunar calendar while the desi months are solar, its Gregorian date moves each year, but it always lands in the Kartik/Katak season.
How Diwali Is Celebrated
Across India and the diaspora, Diwali is celebrated with a familiar set of traditions:
Lighting diyas: Small clay oil lamps are lit at doorways, windows, and courtyards to welcome light into the home. Many families now also use electric lights and candles.
Lakshmi Puja: On the main evening, families perform Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja during Pradosh Kaal (the early part of the night after sunset), praying for prosperity in the coming year.
Sweets and feasts: Homes fill with mithai, and the days around Diwali are a time of visiting relatives and exchanging gifts.
Fireworks: Firecrackers are a traditional part of the celebration, though many cities now restrict them for air quality reasons.
For more festivals through the year, see our Hindu festivals page.
Diwali Dates in Coming Years
Planning ahead? Here are the main-day (Lakshmi Puja) dates for the next few years:
| Year | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday | 8 November 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday | 29 October 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday | 17 October 2028 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. This is the main day, Lakshmi Puja, observed on the Amavasya (new moon night) of the month of Kartik.
What are the 5 days of Diwali 2026?
The five days are: Dhanteras (Friday, 6 November), Choti Diwali (Saturday, 7 November), Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (Sunday, 8 November), Govardhan Puja (Tuesday, 10 November), and Bhai Dooj (Wednesday, 11 November).
Why do some sources say Diwali 2026 is on 7 November?
This reflects a genuine regional difference. In much of South India, Naraka Chaturdashi on 7 November is treated as the festival’s centerpiece, while North India celebrates Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya, 8 November. Both are correct in their regional traditions.
Which desi month does Diwali fall in?
Diwali falls in the month of Katak (Kartik), the desi month that follows Assu and marks the autumn season in Punjab.
Is Diwali on the same date every year?
No. Diwali follows the lunar Hindu calendar, so its Gregorian date shifts by roughly eleven days each year, usually falling between mid-October and mid-November.
