About Diwali
Diwali — the festival of lights — is the biggest celebration of the year for over a billion Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world. The main night of Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, and this live countdown tracks the days, hours and minutes until the lamps are lit.
The festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil — for many Hindus, the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, welcomed home by rows of oil lamps (deepa, from which Deepavali takes its name). The date follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar, landing on the new-moon night of the month of Kartika, between mid-October and mid-November.
Diwali spans five days: Dhanteras (buying gold and new utensils), Naraka Chaturdashi, the main Lakshmi Puja night with diyas, rangoli and fireworks, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj honoring the bond between siblings. From Delhi to Leicester to Silicon Valley, homes glow, sweets are exchanged, and the night sky lights up — a spectacle increasingly celebrated far beyond South Asia.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Sunday, November 8, 2026next |
| 2027 | Friday, October 29, 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, October 17, 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, November 5, 2029 |
| 2030 | Saturday, October 26, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Diwali 2026?
The main night of Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The five-day festival runs around it.
How many days until Diwali?
The live counter above shows the exact time remaining until the next Diwali night.
Why does the Diwali date change?
Diwali follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar — the new moon of Kartika month — so it moves between mid-October and mid-November each year.
How long does Diwali last?
Five days, with the main celebration on the third day: Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj.