Diwali, the festival of Lights, is a happy time when homes and communities are filled with colourful decorations, glowing lamps, traditional music, and delicious food.
Across US, people from many backgrounds come together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival includes beautiful rituals, exciting fireworks, Bollywood music, and fun gatherings with family and friends.
In 2025, Diwali is even more special because California, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut have made it an official state holiday. This important step shows how much Diwali is being welcomed and celebrated across the United States.
From small temple prayers and art workshops to big city festivals and fireworks, Diwali offers many ways to enjoy Indian culture. Whether you want to light a diya, try tasty sweets, or dance to Bollywood songs, there is a celebration near you ready to share the joy of Diwali.
West Coast: California & Pacific Northwest
Los Angeles & Southern California
LA Diwali Festival
Date: November 2, 2025
Location: Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
Highlights: West Coast’s largest festival with 40,000+ attendees, Bollywood concerts, 150+ vendors, carnival rides
Malibu Hindu Temple — October 31, oceanside celebrations
Irvine Diwali — October 25, Great Park with hot air balloon rides
San Diego Balboa Park — October 26, cultural showcase
BAPS Chino Hills — October 29–November 2, full traditional celebrations
Seattle & Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center Diwali
Date: November 9 (post-Diwali)
Location: Seattle Center Armory
Features: Indoor celebration, tech community performances (Microsoft & Amazon employees)
Bellevue Diwali — October 25, Crossroads Park
Redmond Lights — October 31, downtown illumination
Portland Diwali — November 1, Pioneer Courthouse Square
Mountain States
Colorado
Denver Diwali Fest
Date: October 18–19
Location: Infinity Park, Glendale
Unique: Mountain backdrop, 5K Diwali Run
Boulder Diwali — October 31, Pearl Street Mall
Colorado Springs — November 1, Acacia Park
Hindu Temple of Colorado — October 29–31, Littleton
Arizona
Phoenix Diwali Festival
Date: November 1
Location: Steele Indian School Park
Special: Desert sunset diya lighting ceremony, evening event due to heat
Scottsdale Diwali — October 25, Civic Center Plaza
Tucson Festival — November 2, Reid Park
BAPS Temple Phoenix — October 29–November 2
Utah
Salt Lake City Diwali
Date: November 8
Location: Utah State Fair Park
Features: Hybrid indoor/outdoor event, Krishna Temple feast for attendees
South & Southeast
Tennessee
Nashville Diwali at Centennial Park
Date: October 26
Features: Parthenon illumination, cultural village, country music-Bollywood fusion
Louisiana
New Orleans City Park — November 1, jazz-Indian fusion celebration
Baton Rouge Temple — October 31, traditional celebrations with Cajun twist
Midwest
Detroit & Michigan
Canton Diwali Mela
Date: October 11 (early celebration)
Location: Canton Summit
Features: 80+ vendors, cultural performances, kids zone
Novi Diwali — October 25, Novi Civic Center, metro Detroit’s largest
Troy Somerset Mall — October 26–27, indoor celebration with shopping
Ann Arbor Temple — October 31, University of Michigan area celebration
Ohio
Columbus Diwali at Ohio Expo Center
Date: November 8 (post-Diwali)
Scale: Largest in Ohio with 10,000+ attendees
Special: Bollywood celebrity performances
Florida
Miami-Dade Diwali Festival
Date: October 26
Location: Bayfront Park
Highlights: Beach diya lighting at sunset, Caribbean-Indian fusion performances
Orlando Diwali (Lake Eola) — October 25, family festival with swan boat rides
Tampa Bay Diwali — November 1, Curtis Hixon Park, waterfront celebration
Jacksonville Temple — October 31, traditional celebrations at Hindu Society
Ft. Lauderdale Beach Diwali — October 26, beach celebration with bonfire
North Carolina Triangle
Cary Diwali Festival
Date: October 18
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Scale: Largest in NC with 15,000+ attendees
Special: Professional fireworks show included
New England & Boston Area
Boston City Hall Plaza Diwali
Date: October 26
Time: 12 PM – 6 PM
Highlights: Mayor’s diya lighting, food festival, cultural showcase
Special: Free henna and rangoli workshops for kids
MIT Diwali Night — October 31, student performances and dinner
Harvard Square Celebration — October 25, street festival with local vendors
Burlington Mall Diwali — October 26–27, indoor mela with 50+ stalls
Sri Lakshmi Temple (Ashland) — October 29–31, traditional celebrations
Philadelphia Region & New York City
Penn’s Landing Diwali Festival
Date: November 1
Time: 2 PM – 9 PM
Highlights: Delaware River fireworks at 8 PM, food trucks, bazaar
Transit: SEPTA special service available
Diwali at South Street Seaport
Date: October 31 (Main Diwali)
Time: 5 PM – 10 PM
Features: Floating lantern ceremony, cultural performances, food trucks
Pro Tip: Arrive early for the 6:30 PM sunset lantern release
Queens Diwali Motorcade — October 26, starting at Diversity Plaza
Brooklyn Museum Diwali — November 1, exhibitions and family activities
Hindu Temple Society of North America (Flushing) — October 29–31, traditional pujas
Ganesh Temple (Queens) — All five days, South Indian authentic celebrations
.
