Diwali, the five-day festival of lights also known as Deepavali, runs from Oct. 18 to 22 this year, with the main night on Oct. 20. The festival is a major religious one for Hindus, but is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, though origin stories differ by region. Lights, fireworks, feasting, exchanging sweets and gifts, new clothing and prayer are often part of the festivities, as are rangoli, geometric floral patterns drawn on the floor with colorful powders.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law establishing Diwali as a state holiday in California, starting in 2026, meaning that public schools and community colleges will be able to close on Diwali, and state employees can choose to take the day off with pay.
Here are 10+ ways to celebrate it this year, running from roughly Oct. 11-26.
Bay Area Diwali Festival of Lights: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Oct. 11, Memorial Park, 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino. Participate in Cupertino’s 23rd annual Diwali Festival of Lights and celebrate this traditional Indian festival of thanksgiving. There will be food, music, dance, artisanal vendors, a photo booth, henna and more. Free. RSVPs encouraged. eventbrite.com.
Diwali Festival of Lights: 12-11 p.m. Oct. 11, 2005 Valley Ave., Gate 8 or 12, Alameda County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Pleasanton. Enjoy fireworks, vendor booths with arts and crafts from India, food and cultural dances. $10 general admission, $15 parking. alamedacountyfair.com/events/diwali-festival-of-lights-2/
Bollywood Diwali Dandiya: 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Aria University USA, 1521 California Circle, Milpitas. Enjoy nonstop music from VDesi Jam, disco lights, prizes for best Garba attire, and a 30-minute free Garba and Dandiya dance workshop at 7 p.m. The family-friendly event is co-sponsored by Rotary Club Silicon Andhra, Bollywood Dance Connection, Shiksha and VDesiJam.
Henna at San Mateo County public libraries: various dates and times, Oct. 14-29. Local henna artist Swati applies henna designs to visitors’ hands at this all-ages activity. https://smcl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=Diwali
Diwali Game Night: 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 17, Next Level Board Game Cafe, 888 Villa St., Mountain View. Mountain View’s Next Level Board Game Cafe hosts a Diwali game night, with trivia, charades and Mafia — you bring the masala. Food available for purchase. Note: tickets may be sold out. eventbrite.com.
Diwali Hangama: 9-11:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Little India Restaurant & Bar, 2417 First St., Livermore. Dance ’til you drop at this night of Bollywood beats, lights and more inside Livermore’s Little India restaurant, featuring $5 shots and $5 beers. $15 and up. eventbrite.com.
Diwali Mela: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Oct. 18, Washington High School, 38442 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. Festival of Globe Silicon Valley, tied to the Federation of Indo-Americans of Northern California (FIA), a Fremont nonprofit that supports the growing Indian diaspora on the West Coast, is hosting this event set to feature a concert with Bollywood singer Aishwarya Pandit, plus vendors, food, dance and drawing competitions, a laser show and more. $6. fogsv.com.
Diwali Celebration: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 19, Twin Pines Senior and Community Center, 20 Twin Pines Ln, Belmont. San Mateo County Libraries hosts a Diwali celebration at this senior and community center in Belmont, featuring music, poetry celebrating the holiday from Belmont’s Poet Laureate Monica Korde and local poets, dancing and a kid-friendly craft table. https://smcl.bibliocommons.com/events/68ba0b5f15946f2800d0f4c8
Diwali Brunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 18-19, Ettan, 518 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Indulge in a curated Diwali meal at this highly regarded Cal-Indian restaurant by Chef Srijith Gopinathan. $75 (vegetarian) or $85 (non-vegetarian) per person, $45 for kids ages 5-10. Reservations available via OpenTable.com.
Singles Diwali Speed Dating: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 19, AC Hotel San Jose Downtown, 350 West Santa Clara St., San Jose. This speed dating night is targeted to singles in their 40s and 50s, and traditional Indian ethnic attire is encouraged. $15. eventbrite.
Bhangra and Beats: 5-10 p.m., Oct. 24, Sacramento and Front streets, San Francisco. This night market celebrates South Asian and Indian culture with music from Non Stop Bhangra, over 30 vendors selling local handcrafted goods, street food, cocktails and lots of dancing. Free and open to all ages. eventbrite.com.
Diwali Night: 6-9:30 p.m., Oct. 24, Dante Robere Vineyards, 1200 Wetmore Rd, Livermore. Enjoy a buffet dinner from The Yellow Chili, wine, beer, music from Mehfil, a band celebrating Punjabi music through an American lens, and valet parking. Dress to impress. $175. danterobere.com/event/diwali-night.
Bollywood Diwali Dandiya Dance Night: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 26, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. This night of dancing will raise funds for the Taarika Foundation, which raises awareness about children’s mental health. There’ll be a Garba dance lesson, music, a Garba attire contest, and food and beverages for sale. $25 general admission, $18 for kids 4-7. eventbrite.com.