Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains globally every year. This year, the holiday falls on Sunday, November 8, and we have a roundup of events leading up to it to celebrate throughout New York City!
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Manhattan
Diwali Lights Up Asia Society 2026
Asia Society, 725 Park Ave., Upper East Side
Saturday, Nov. 7, 1 – 4 pm
All ages
$25; $15 children older than 2
Diwali returns to Asia Society with a colorful, fun-filled, and multi-sensorial afternoon, presented in collaboration with The Culture Tree. Celebrate good fortune, family, and friendships. Enjoy music and dance performances, storytelling, and hands-on arts and crafts inspired by the holiday.
Diwali Puja
The Broome Street Ganesha Temple, 430 Broome St., 2nd Fl., Soho
Sunday, Nov. 8, 10 am
All ages
$20
Join this special Diwali Puja, where the morning will be filled with beautiful prayers, rituals, and blessings. It’s a rare chance to connect with the community, immerse yourself in the joy of Diwali, and experience the magic of this auspicious day together. But that’s not all! After the puja, enjoy a captivating Diwali storytime with author Anu Sehgal as she reads from her favorite bi-lingual Diwali book Kahaani Rangeeli. Wrap up the day with a delicious prasaad and Diwali trivia.
Diwali Dance Performance and Workshop with Meha Sadana
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W 83rd St., Upper West Side
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2 – 2:30 pm
All ages
$18
Dive into an interactive dance workshop where you’ll learn mudras (hand gestures) from classical Indian dance and groove to popular Diwali songs in a lively performance. Grab a tea light and get ready to dance!
9th Annual Diwali Fest
Bhakti Center, 25 First Ave., East Village
Sunday, Nov. 8, 4 – 9 pm
All ages
Free
Experience the magic of Diwali as you witness mesmerizing dance performances, traditional music, and vibrant displays of Indian art. Indulge in a variety of mouthwatering delicacies, from savory snacks to delectable sweets, as you savor the flavors of this festive season.
South Street Seaport Museum Diwali Celebration
South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., Downtown Manhattan
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 4 – 6 pm
Ages 5 and older
Free
Join the Seaport Museum and The Culture Tree Collective Inc. for festive activities to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Decorate your own “diya lamp”, enjoy a Diwali Puppet Storytime, and jump into an interactive dance workshop and performance featuring popular Diwali songs, music, and stories. Attendees will learn mudras (hand gestures) from classical dance forms and dance to beautiful Diwali songs.
Diwali Party
508 West 26th St., 3rd Fl., Chelsea
Friday, Nov. 13, 3 – 5 pm
All ages
$25
Families are invited to experience some of the traditions of Diwali through art, dance, and music — from rangoli and diyas to bindis, bangles, dhol, and Bollywood dancing.
Bronx
A Magical, Musical Diwali Celebration
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park
Friday, Nov. 13, 7 – 8:30 pm
All ages
$40; $35 seniors and students
Shreeyash Palshikar and Neel Murgai present an exquisite evening of magic and music to celebrate Diwali the Indian festival of lights. Shreeyash is a world magician, performing artist, educator, producer who has studied with modern and traditional Indian magicians. Neel is a multi-instrumental performer, composer, teacher who studied with traditional Indian sitar masters, and modern musicians. Together, they combine Indian and Western, traditional and modern, magic and music for a fun interactive and family friendly Diwali experience you will never forget.
Brooklyn
Festival of Lights: Diwali
Carmine Carro Community Center in Marine Park, 3000 Fillmore Ave., Marine Park
Sunday, Nov. 1, 4 – 6 pm
All ages
Free
Pandit Ravi Doobay describes traditions honoring the holy month of Kartika on the Hindu calendar in this annual community gathering.
Kids Create – Diwali Diya Decorating
Brooklyn Public Library — Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, Prospect Heights
Saturday, Nov. 7, noon – 12:45 pm
Ages 4 and older
Free
Join this colorful and fun-filled program where you’ll get to paint and decorate your own clay diyas and learn about Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide! Perfect for kids and families who love art.
Celebrate Diwali with Ajna Dance
Brooklyn Public Library — Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, Prospect
Saturday, Nov. 7, noon – 2 pm
All ages
Free
Join this lively celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, featuring vibrant Indian dance, music, and movement. Enjoy an engaging performance by Ajna Dance Company, then get on your feet and learn some fun dance moves during an interactive workshop for children and families. Starting at 12 PM, the Dweck lobby will be open for a rangoli and clay lamp craft activity, which you’ll be able to bring home with you.
Celebrate Diwali
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2 – 5 pm
Ages 10 and younger
Free
Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, with The Culture Tree! Discover the story of Diwali through puppet storytelling, make mithai (Indian sweets), and create your own diya lamps in the ColorLab art studio.
Queens
2026 Diwali Motorcade
Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park, 95 Avenue 125th St., South Richmond Hill
Saturday, Oct. 24, 1 pm
All ages
Free
Light up your cars, trucks and vehicles — and celebrate a beloved community tradition filled with culture, devotion, music and dazzling lights. The afternoon begins in devotion with Lakshmi Puja and Havan, honoring Mother Lakshmi and the triumph of light, knowledge, and goodness. From there, faith moves into the streets as cars, trucks and floats become glowing works of art, illuminating Liberty Avenue through Little Guyana. Tassa drumming, live music, dance and cultural performances fill Queens with Indo-Caribbean energy as families, temples, artists and neighbors gather in joy.
Diwali Festival: The Indian Wedding
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
Sunday, Nov. 1, noon – 4 pm
All ages
$20; free for children
Celebrate Diwali with an afternoon of workshops exploring Indian foods, visual arts, and movement, followed by a stunning Indian wedding dance drama featuring Abha B. Roy and Srijan Dance Company. This show reenacts cultural wedding customs, including henna painting the bride, haldi (applying turmeric to the bride and groom), dances from different regions of India, marriage ceremonies, and the bride’s farewell. Audiences will welcome the bridal party with the tassa drumming procession and feel as if they are wedding guests.
Celebrating Diwali: Torn Paper Rangoli
Queens Public Library Arverne, 312 Beach 54 St., Arverne
Saturday, Nov. 7, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Ages 11 and younger
Free
Honor and celebrate Diwali by making a torn paper rangoli craft.
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