Diwali 2026 dates: the full five-day calendar
Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya, the new moon night in the Hindu lunar calendar, which is why the Gregorian date shifts by roughly 10-20 days each year. In 2026, Diwali falls unusually early in November — here's the complete five-day breakdown.
| Day | Celebration | Date 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dhanteras | Friday, 6 November |
| Day 2 | Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) | Saturday, 7 November |
| Day 3 | Main Diwali — Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, 8 November |
| Day 4 | Govardhan Puja | Monday, 9 November |
| Day 5 | Bhai Dooj | Tuesday, 10 November |
| Bonus | Dev Deepavali (Varanasi) | ~Tuesday, 24 November* |
*Dev Deepavali falls on the Kartik Purnima full moon, roughly two weeks after Diwali, and is celebrated separately, primarily in Varanasi. Exact regional Puja Muhurat timings vary by city — check a local Panchang for your specific location.
Why Diwali is India's biggest travel period
Diwali isn't just a religious festival — it's the single busiest domestic and diaspora travel event in the Indian calendar. Millions of people travel within India to be with family, while NRIs and overseas Indians in the UK, US, Gulf and beyond plan trips home specifically around the festival. That surge affects every part of the travel system: flights fill up and rise in price, hotel rooms in popular festival cities become scarce, and Indian Railways sees ticket demand spike so heavily that popular routes routinely sell out weeks in advance.
For UK-based travellers, this means the booking window matters far more for Diwali than for an ordinary trip to India. Waiting until October to book a flight for the 6-10 November period is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes travellers make.
Best places to celebrate Diwali in India
Diwali looks different in every part of India — from illuminated bazaars to riverside spiritual spectacles. Here's where to go depending on the experience you want.
Diwali in Delhi
India's capital transforms during Diwali, with markets like Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place and Sarojini Nagar strung with lights, and family celebrations, fireworks and festive shopping filling the city for days. Delhi's excellent international connectivity also makes it one of the easiest Diwali destinations to reach directly from the UK. See live fares on our flights to Delhi page, including London to Delhi, Manchester to Delhi and Birmingham to Delhi routes.
Diwali in Mumbai
Mumbai brings Bollywood-scale energy to Diwali, with elaborately decorated housing societies, temple celebrations, and some of the country's most spectacular fireworks displays lighting up the skyline. It's a brilliant choice for travellers who want a mix of festival tradition and India's most cosmopolitan city. See live fares on our flights to Mumbai page, including London to Mumbai, Manchester to Mumbai and Birmingham to Mumbai routes.
Diwali in Jaipur
Jaipur is famous for one of India's most celebrated Diwali light displays, with markets along Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar taking part in a city-wide, competitive illumination contest each year that draws visitors from across the country. Combined with Rajasthan's palaces and forts lit up for the occasion, it's one of the most photogenic Diwali destinations in India. Compare routes into Rajasthan via our main flights to India page.
Diwali in Varanasi
Varanasi offers something entirely different: while the city celebrates the main Diwali day like everywhere else, its true spectacle is Dev Deepavali, held roughly two weeks later on the Kartik Purnima full moon, when thousands of oil lamps are lit along the ghats of the Ganges in one of the most visually stunning spiritual events in India. Travellers wanting to see both main Diwali and Dev Deepavali often plan an extended two-to-three-week trip. Explore routes via our flights to India page.
Diwali in Amritsar
Amritsar's Golden Temple is illuminated with thousands of lights and fireworks during Diwali, which also coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, an important Sikh celebration marking Guru Hargobind Ji's release from imprisonment — making Amritsar a uniquely meaningful destination that blends two major festival traditions into one unforgettable evening. See live fares on our flights to Amritsar page, including London to Amritsar, Manchester to Amritsar and Birmingham to Amritsar routes.
Flights to India for Diwali 2026: booking guide from the UK
Diwali is a peak-fare period on every UK-India route, and the earlier you book, the more you'll typically save — both on flights and on the accommodation you'll want in a popular festival city. Here's what to know before you book.
- Book by September 2026: given how far in advance seats sell out around the 6-10 November period, booking your flight by September gives the best chance of a good fare and flight time.
- Compare more than one UK departure airport: London, Manchester and Birmingham all serve major Indian cities directly or with a short connection — fares for the same dates can vary noticeably between them.
- Stay flexible within the festival window: flying a day or two either side of 8 November, rather than exactly on the peak date, can often reduce your fare significantly.
- Book return travel early too: the days immediately after Diwali (Bhai Dooj weekend and the following days) are also extremely high demand as travellers head home — don't leave your return leg as an afterthought.
- Consider a longer trip: if you want to see both main Diwali and Varanasi's Dev Deepavali on 24 November, plan your flights around a longer two-to- three-week window rather than a single short trip.
Cheap flights to India for Diwali: comparing fares across London, Manchester and Birmingham departures well ahead of the festival remains the single most effective way to keep costs down — start comparing on our flights to India page.
More Indian cities worth visiting around Diwali
Diwali celebrations light up every corner of India, and if you're planning a longer trip or visiting family beyond the classic festival cities, these routes are worth comparing too.
| City | Why visit for Diwali | Compare Fares |
|---|---|---|
| Goa | Beach-side Diwali celebrations with a relaxed, festive atmosphere | Flights to Goa |
| Bengaluru | Major diaspora and tech-hub city with lively neighbourhood celebrations | Flights to Bengaluru |
| Hyderabad | Rich Diwali traditions blending Deccan culture and grand illuminations | Flights to Hyderabad |
| Chennai | South Indian Diwali traditions with an earlier morning celebration style | Flights to Chennai |
| Kolkata | Diwali overlaps with Kali Puja, giving the city a distinctive festival character | Flights to Kolkata |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat's biggest festival period, with New Year (Bestu Varas) following straight after Diwali | Flights to Ahmedabad |
| Kochi | A quieter, coastal South Indian Diwali experience in Kerala | Flights to Kochi |
| Trivandrum | Kerala's capital, ideal for combining Diwali with a Kerala backwaters trip | Flights to Trivandrum |
Diwali holidays 2026: what to know before you plan leave
- In India: Diwali is a national public holiday, with many businesses, schools and offices closed on the main day and often for an extended period either side, particularly in North India.
- In the UK: Diwali is not a nationwide bank holiday, but it is widely celebrated, and many UK employers, schools and local councils with significant Hindu, Sikh or Jain communities recognise it, sometimes with dedicated leave or celebration events.
- Planning annual leave: since 8 November 2026 falls on a Sunday, many UK-based travellers plan a trip around the surrounding week — booking annual leave well in advance is worth doing alongside your flight booking, given how quickly both flights and popular leave dates get taken.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, marking the main Lakshmi Puja day of the festival, based on Kartik Amavasya in the Hindu lunar calendar.
What day of the week is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 falls on a Sunday, 8 November 2026.
How many days is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 is celebrated as a five-day festival, running from Friday 6 November to Tuesday 10 November 2026, with the main celebration on 8 November.
What are all five days of Diwali 2026 called?
The five days are Dhanteras (6 November), Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi (7 November), main Diwali or Lakshmi Puja (8 November), Govardhan Puja (9 November), and Bhai Dooj (10 November) 2026.
When is Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November 2026, marking the first day of the five-day Diwali festival.
When is Choti Diwali 2026?
Choti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, falls on Saturday 7 November 2026, the day before the main Diwali celebration.
When is Bhai Dooj 2026?
Bhai Dooj 2026 falls on Tuesday 10 November 2026, marking the final day of the Diwali festival period.
When is Govardhan Puja 2026?
Govardhan Puja 2026 falls on Monday 9 November 2026, the day after the main Diwali celebration.
When is Dev Deepavali 2026 in Varanasi?
Dev Deepavali, Varanasi's spectacular festival of lights along the Ganges, is expected around Tuesday 24 November 2026, roughly two weeks after the main Diwali celebration.
What is the best place to celebrate Diwali in India?
There's no single best city — Delhi and Jaipur offer grand market illuminations and fireworks, Amritsar combines Diwali with the illuminated Golden Temple, Varanasi offers the spiritual spectacle of Dev Deepavali, and Mumbai blends Diwali with Bollywood-scale celebration and fireworks across the city.
Is Delhi or Mumbai better for Diwali?
Delhi offers a more traditional North Indian Diwali with elaborately lit markets like Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place, while Mumbai combines Diwali with vibrant Bollywood-influenced celebrations, elaborate housing society decorations, and a lively festive atmosphere across the city. Both are excellent, so the choice comes down to personal preference.
Is Jaipur good for Diwali?
Yes, Jaipur is one of India's most celebrated Diwali destinations, known for its city-wide illuminated markets, particularly along Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar, which take part in a famous competitive lighting display each year.
What makes Varanasi special for Diwali?
Varanasi is home to Dev Deepavali, held roughly two weeks after the main Diwali celebration, when thousands of oil lamps are lit along the ghats of the Ganges River in one of India's most visually spectacular spiritual festivals.
Is Amritsar good to visit during Diwali?
Yes, Amritsar's Golden Temple is illuminated with thousands of lights and fireworks during Diwali, which also coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, a significant Sikh celebration, making it one of the most memorable Diwali destinations in India.
How do I get flights to India for Diwali 2026?
UK travellers can book direct and one-stop flights to major Indian cities from London, Manchester and Birmingham. Compare all routes and cities on our flights to India page, or go directly to your destination city's dedicated route page for live fares.
What is the cheapest way to fly to India for Diwali?
Booking well ahead of the festival, comparing more than one UK departure airport, and staying flexible on your exact travel dates around the 6-10 November period are the most effective ways to find lower fares, since Diwali is one of the busiest and most price-sensitive periods on UK-India routes.
When should I book flights for Diwali 2026?
Given Diwali is one of the highest-demand travel periods of the year for UK-India routes, booking flights by September 2026 at the latest is strongly recommended, with earlier booking generally securing better fares and seat availability.
Are flights to India expensive around Diwali?
Yes, fares to India typically rise significantly in the weeks around Diwali due to extremely high demand from NRIs, overseas Indians and domestic Indian travellers, similar to the fare spikes seen around Christmas or Eid on other routes.
Is there a direct flight from London to Delhi for Diwali?
Yes, London has direct flight options to Delhi, among the most established and frequently served UK-India routes. See our dedicated London to Delhi route page for live fares and booking.
Are there direct flights from Manchester to India for Diwali?
Yes, Manchester offers direct and one-stop routes to several major Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi and others, making it a practical departure point for Diwali travel without needing to first travel to London.
Are there direct flights from Birmingham to India for Diwali?
Yes, Birmingham serves several Indian cities with direct and connecting flights, offering a convenient departure option for Diwali travellers based in the Midlands.
Is Diwali a public holiday in India?
Yes, Diwali is a national public holiday in India, typically observed on the main Lakshmi Puja day, with many businesses, schools and offices closing for an extended period around the festival.
Is Diwali a public holiday in the UK?
Diwali is not a nationwide UK public holiday, though it is widely and publicly celebrated, with some UK employers and schools with significant Hindu, Sikh or Jain communities granting leave or holiday allowance around the festival.
Do trains in India get fully booked during Diwali?
Yes, Indian Railways sees an enormous surge in demand around Diwali as millions travel to be with family, and popular routes commonly sell out weeks in advance, making early booking essential for train travel during the festival period.
How far in advance should NRIs book Diwali travel?
NRIs and overseas Indians planning to travel for Diwali 2026 should aim to book flights at least two to three months in advance, ideally by September 2026, to secure both better fares and preferred flight times before the pre-festival rush.
What should I pack for a Diwali trip to India?
Lightweight festive clothing suitable for November weather across your destination region, comfortable footwear for markets and temple visits, and gifts if you're visiting family are all worth packing, alongside standard travel documents and any required visas.
Is it safe to travel to India during Diwali?
Millions of tourists and NRIs travel to India for Diwali every year. As with any large festival, crowded markets and firework displays call for normal caution, particularly with children, but the period is widely considered safe for domestic and international travellers.
Can tourists join Diwali celebrations in India?
Yes, Diwali is an open, welcoming festival, and tourists are very much able to experience markets, temple illuminations, fireworks displays and public celebrations across most Indian cities during the festival period.