Dates from Drik Panchang for New Delhi, checked 1 October 2026. Puja timings shift by city, so check a local panchang for the exact muhurat where you are.
Day by day
6FRI NOV
Day 1
Dhanteras
Homes are cleaned and decorated; lamps are lit for Lakshmi and Kubera.
7SAT NOV
In between
Kali Chaudas
Hanuman Puja and Kali worship are observed.
8SUN NOV
Days 2 and 3
Choti Diwali and Lakshmi Puja
The main night: diyas, prayers and fireworks.
9MON NOV
In between
Diwali Snan
Amavasya ritual bath and Devpuja.
10TUE NOV
Day 4
Govardhan Puja
Annakut food offerings; Gujarati New Year.
11WED NOV
Day 5
Bhai Dooj
Sisters pray for their brothers; gifts are exchanged.
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, the night of Lakshmi Puja. In 2026, Choti Diwali lands on the same Sunday, so the five festival days span six calendar dates, from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
What happens on each day
The five days of DiwaliFriday, 6 November to Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Day 1: Dhanteras, Fri 6 NovDhanteras opens the festival. Families clean and decorate their homes and workplaces, draw rangoli at the entrance and hang torans (door garlands). In the evening they light oil lamps and pray to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for prosperity.
Days 2 and 3: Choti Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, Sun 8 NovNaraka Chaturdashi, or Choti Diwali, marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, with a pre-dawn ritual bath (Abhyang Snan). In 2026 it falls on the same day as Lakshmi Puja, the main Diwali night, which celebrates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. Homes and streets fill with diyas, families worship Lakshmi and Ganesha, and fireworks light the sky.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja, Tue 10 NovAlso called Annakut, this day recalls Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to shelter Vrindavan from Indra’s storms. Devotees make large food offerings. In Gujarat, the day is also New Year.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj, Wed 11 NovBhai Dooj, also known as Bhau Beej, celebrates siblings. Sisters perform aarti and apply tilak for their brothers, and brothers return the gesture with gifts.
Where to celebrate Diwali in India
Lit-up bazaarsJaipurThe old city’s markets are strung with lights through Diwali week, and the evening walk through the bazaars is the draw.FlightsHotels
Home and temple festivalVaranasiDiwali here is mostly a home and temple festival. The famous ghat-wide lamp lighting, Dev Deepawali, comes about two weeks later.FlightsHotels
Golden TempleAmritsarDiwali coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, when the Golden Temple complex is illuminated.FlightsHotels
Kali PujaKolkataBengal celebrates Kali Puja on the main night, 8 November 2026, with neighborhood pandals across the city.FlightsHotels
Emmanuel DYAN / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Gujarati New YearAhmedabadGujarat rolls Diwali straight into New Year on 10 November, with rangoli and family gatherings.FlightsHotels
Every city marks Diwali. These five give travelers the most to see, and each card links to flights and hotels on Wego.
Celebrating Diwali outside India
SingaporeDeepavali public holiday, Sunday, 8 November 2026
Public holidayDeepavali, Sunday, 8 November 2026
Because it falls on a SundayMonday, 9 November is a public holiday for workers whose rest day is the Sunday
Where to goLittle India is the heart of the celebrations
All five days, from Dhanteras shopping to Bhai Dooj
Longest stay, so more nights to pay for
Sat, 7 Nov
The main night plus Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj
Less time to settle in before the main night
Mon, 9 Nov or later
The last two festival days
You miss the main night
The day you land decides which festival days you catch.
What the flight costs, by city
Return fares from Wego, checked 1 October 2026 for 5 to 11 November, Diwali week. One adult, economy, lowest fare shown, in USD. Fares change constantly.
Flying from
Dubai to Varanasi1 stop, 5 to 11 November, return, one adultfrom $549Search flights
Singapore to DelhiNonstop, 5 to 11 November, return, one adultfrom $539Search flights
Dubai to Jaipur1 stop, 5 to 11 November, return, one adultfrom $453Search flights
Riyadh to Delhi1 stop, 5 to 11 November, return, one adultfrom $385Search flights
Flying in on Thursday, 5 November puts you there for Dhanteras on Friday, with a full Saturday to settle in before the main night on Sunday.
Plan your Diwali trip
Compare flights and hotels for Diwali week on Wego and lock in your dates before the rush.
Wego flight search, sampled 1 October 2026 in USD.
How these figures were produced
Festival dates are for New Delhi from Drik Panchang. They follow the Hindu lunar calendar and can differ by a day between regions.
Fares are the lowest economy return for one adult shown on Wego, flying out Thursday 5 November and home Wednesday 11 November, from a search on 1 October 2026.
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
