Overview
- Diwali’s principal night falls on November 8 this year and major cities have published multi-venue schedules concentrated in the first half of November.
- Dubai will stage a five-day citywide festival beginning November 6 that pairs cultural performances and family activities with retail promotions such as a 'Diwali Gold Rush' and prize draws that include cars.
- London’s program features high-profile public events and commercial activations, including Harrods light displays, fireworks at Byron Park, large gatherings at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, and Diwali tasting menus and pop-ups at top restaurants and department stores.
- The San Francisco Bay Area is offering a wide slate of community festivals, museum programs, temple ceremonies and a citywide Indian Restaurant Week timed around November 8 to serve diverse diaspora audiences.
- Public recognition of Diwali is rising: the UK prime minister hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street and California has designated Diwali a state holiday, allowing school closures and paid time off for state employees.