Diwali 2026: celebrations begin in India, with the main day on 8 November
Millions of Hindus are starting Diwali, with lamps lighting homes and temples and families preparing sweets and fireworks. The main day in 2026 is 8 November, including in the UK.
Author: Editorial teamPublished: 2 min read
Contents
Diwali, the festival of lights, has begun in India. According to BBC News, in a report published on 6 November 2026, millions of people across the country are marking it by lighting lamps, letting off fireworks and sharing traditional sweets. Homes and temples are lit up nationwide.
What is Diwali
Diwali is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. It is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and some Newar Buddhists. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. In Hindu tradition it commemorates the return of Rama and his wife Sita to their kingdom in Ayodhya, which people welcomed by lighting oil lamps.
The festival lasts several days. The day before Diwali is observed as Naraka Chaturdashi. On the main day, families gather for Lakshmi Puja, a prayer to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, followed by shared meals and fireworks. On the fifth day, brothers visit their married sisters.
When is the main day
According to Gateshead Council's multifaith calendar, the main day of Diwali in 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November, for both Hindus and Sikhs.
Celebrations in the UK
Diwali is also a major part of life in Britain. Leicester City Council says the city, one of the largest Diwali centres outside India, will end its celebrations with Diwali Day on 8 November. The programme includes performances, exhibitions, workshops and family activities at venues including Leicester Cathedral, Curve and the Peepul Centre. This year the stage finale will be led by the Aakash Odedra Company, combining Bollywood dance, theatre and music performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra. Other councils, such as Warwick District, are also hosting events linked to the festival.
What this means for you
This is an informational and cultural story. People living in cities with large Hindu communities, such as Leicester, may expect more traffic and disruption around event venues, especially over the weekend of 7–8 November. Events are usually open to everyone, and details are worth checking on local council websites.
Sources
This article was prepared automatically by AI from the listed sources and published without prior editorial review. Spotted a mistake? Use the “Report an error in this article” button.
Photos
- Cover: „diwali, diya, lamp, india, clay”, author: bhuppigraphy, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
- Photo 1: „motichoor, laddu, sweet, diwali, food”, author: RavendraSingh, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
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