#diwali

#diwali

Downtown San Jose will come alive with the spirit of Diwali on October 25 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Organized by the Association of Indo Americans, this free event invites everyone to join in the Festival of Lights, complete with colorful decorations that transform the area into a festive wonderland. Attendees can look forward to a mix of cultural elements that highlight Indian traditions, making it a welcoming gathering for families and friends across the community.

I couldn't be prouder to represent this borough of constituents, from 190 countries, that speak 360 languages, and dialects, he said, thanking Senator John Liu for putting forward a law to make Diwali a holiday.

Diwali, also known as the Hindu festival of lights, is a five-day event that people around the world celebrate with gatherings, lights, fireworks and feasts. Diwali is derived from the word "Deepavali," meaning "a row of lights." The dates of the festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling in late October or early November. The festival is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - New York City public schools are closed on Monday to observe a holiday. Schools are closed to observe Diwali, the annual festival of lights and one of the major events celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. It is observed in October or November as designated by the Indian calendar. Diwali was officially declared a public school holiday in 2023.

Diwali is often called the festival of lights, a celebration of good over evil. It's the most widely marked festival in India and feels a bit like Christmas does in the west. It's synonymous with fireworks, bright colours, endless parties and tables creaking under the sheer weight of food and desserts. No Diwali is complete without boxes of sweets (mithai) and dried fruit exchanged between friends

It's Diwali season - a five-day period when Hindus around the world commemorate the triumph of light over darkness on the Indian subcontinent centuries ago. But the colorful Diwali celebrations held annually in Indian-American communities throughout the United States are more muted this year compared to the past. The reason? Prices on everything from saris to spices have skyrocketed since August 27.

London is positively bursting at the seams with unmissable cultural events this month. The London Film Festival is well underway, with hyped films like Frankenstein, Hamnet and No Other Choice all making their UK debuts; esteemed contemporary art fair Frieze London has begun; Black History Month is being marked by book festivals, orchestra showcases and exhibitions and London Literature Festival is kicking off in the coming weeks with appearances from Zadie Smith, Malala Yousafzai, Reese Witherspoon and more.

I love this celebration, because I have a lot of memories from India going to these kinds of events,

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 268, which places Diwali - also known as Deepavali and the Hindu "Festival of Lights" - on the list of officially observed state holidays. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Diwali falls on Oct. 20, but the date varies each year, similar to Lunar New Year, and is based on the Hindu lunar calendar.

Oakland Diwali is a festival of lights like no other. Free and family-friendly, Oakland Diwali brings together hundreds people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds from all across the Bay Area. Dynamic dance and music performances, delicious South Asian food, and infectious community vibes have made Oakland Diwali stand out as a not-to-miss celebration. This year, Oakland Diwali is going to be bigger than ever, bringing you the best of South Asian culture with authentic Oakland spice.