Diwali becomes an official holiday in California. Where to celebrate

Diwali has been added to California’s official list of holidays, just in time for this year’s festivities.

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 268, which places Diwali – also known as Deepavali and the Hindu “Festival of Lights” – on the list of officially observed holidays. The law comes into force on January 1, 2026.

Diwali falls on October 20, but the date varies each year, like the Lunar New Year, and is based on the Hindu lunar calendar.

Diwali becomes California’s 12th national holiday. Others include Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

Under the new law, community colleges and public schools can close on Diwali. State employees can also choose to take a day off; some community college and public school employees will receive paid leave on the holiday.

Diwali is a five-day celebration that marks the start of the new year in the Hindu calendar, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. Historically, the festivities take place after the last harvest of the year, in October or November. It is celebrated by members of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain religions.

Celebrations are rooted in recognizing the relationships between family, friends and other members of the community.

California is the third state, after Pennsylvania and Connecticut, to officially recognize this holiday. The New Jersey Department of Education allows students to take time off to celebrate Diwali, and New York City public schools are closed for the holiday.

Los Angeles County has officially recognized Diwali since 2022. Efforts to recognize the holiday have been led by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose Fourth District includes Artesia, home to the “Little India” community of Indian-owned stores, restaurants and organizations. The district also includes the city of Norwalk where the Radha Krishna Temple is located, one of the oldest Hindu temples west of the Mississippi River.

“Diwali is important to thousands of families across Los Angeles County, and I think it’s important for government to recognize that. I’m proud to have led our county in doing this for our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities,” Hahn said in a statement. “And now more than ever, we can find comfort and hope in the defining message of Diwali: light will triumph over darkness and good will triumph over evil. »

Diwali festivities in Southern California include:

Celebration at the Los Angeles Public Library, Pacoima Branch
When: October 9 at 4 p.m.
Or: The Pacoima Branch Library Community Room, 13605 Van Nuys Blvd.
The family event will include an educational component and will provide participants with tea lights. For more information, contact the branch at (818) 899-5203.

Fourth Annual SoCal Diwali Festival
When: October 11 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Or: Don Knabe Regional Community Park, 19700 Bloomfield Avenue. Cerritos
The festival, sponsored by Hahn’s office and organized by the Radha Krishna Temple, features food vendors, shopping booths, clothing and music.

Diwali Mela 2025 organized by United Indian Assn.
When: October 12 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Or: Pioneer Elementary School, 2010 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood
Diwali celebrations will include food vendors, music, dance and arts and crafts stalls, as well as traditional Rangoli displays. Tickets start at $8. For more information, call (313) 312-5246 or email info@united-indian.org.

Unity Festival organized by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
When: October 18-21
Or: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 15100 Fairfield Ranch Road in Chino Hills.
A full itinerary of proposed activities and start times are available online.

Diwali Dunz organized by Sevasphere
When: October 18 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Or: The Walnut Building, 691 Mill St. in Los Angeles
Diwali Dunz offers hands-on cultural and educational workshops, live music and dance, food stalls and shopping. General admission costs $30, VIP tickets sell for $60, and a general admission ticket with a gaming pass (which includes 10 classes) costs $150. A full list of ticket offerings is available online.

Five–dAy Diwali Celebrations at the Jain Center of Southern California
When: Events are planned for October 18-22.
Or: Jain Center of Southern California, 8072 Commonwealth Ave., Buena Park
The Jain Center of Southern California has planned five days of celebrations. A complete list of offers and timetables can be viewed online.