Diwali 2026 in the UK: Date, Five Days and Meaning
Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Here are the five days, why the date changes each year, what the sky is doing and how to mark it simply.
Diwali 2026 UK celebrations centre on Sunday 8 November, the evening of Lakshmi Puja. The five days of the festival run from Dhanteras on Friday 6 November to Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. The date follows the new moon, called Amavasya, in the Hindu lunar calendar, which is why it shifts each year.
When is Diwali 2026 in the UK, and what are the five days?
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the festival of lights. For many Hindus it recalls the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, when people lit rows of lamps to welcome him home. It is also the main night for honouring Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Here are the five days for the UK.
| Date | Day | What it is about |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 6 November 2026 | Dhanteras | Welcoming prosperity and good health. Homes are cleaned and the first lamps are lit. |
| Saturday 7 November 2026 | Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) | “Small Diwali”. Marks the victory of good over the demon Narakasura. |
| Sunday 8 November 2026 | Lakshmi Puja (Diwali) | The main night. Lamps, prayers to Lakshmi and Ganesha, family meals and sweets. |
| Monday 9 November 2026 | Govardhan Puja (Annakut) | Thanksgiving, with offerings of food. Many Gujarati families also mark the new year around now. |
| Tuesday 10 November 2026 | Bhai Dooj | Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. |
These dates follow the Hindu calendar as calculated for London. Calendars made for India list some of the later days one day on, and temples vary. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, for example, lists the Hindu New Year on Tuesday 10 November. If you plan to attend, follow your own temple’s programme.
Why does the date of Diwali change every year?
The UK’s everyday calendar follows the Sun. The Hindu calendar follows both the Sun and the Moon. Each month runs from one new moon or full moon to the next, and festivals are fixed to a lunar day, called a tithi, not to a date like 8 November.
Diwali falls on Amavasya, the new moon day, in the autumn month of Kartik (Ashwin in some regional calendars). Twelve lunar months add up to about 354 days, around 11 days short of a solar year. So each year the festival comes about 11 days earlier, until an extra month, called Adhik Maas, is added to bring the calendar back in step with the seasons.
That happened in 2026. An extra month ran from 17 May to 15 June, which is why Diwali is so late this year. In 2025 it fell on 20 October.
The exact new moon is at 7.02am GMT on Monday 9 November, according to timeanddate.com’s Moon phase table for London. The Amavasya lunar day ends at that moment, so it covers the evening of Sunday 8 November. That is when the lamps are lit.
What is the astrology behind Diwali?
In Vedic astrology, which uses the sidereal zodiac, the Sun and Moon come together in Libra (Tula) on Diwali night. Two things stand out to astrologers.
First, the sky is at its darkest. There is no Moon, and the Sun is in the sign where tradition says it is at its weakest. Lighting lamps on that night is a clear symbol: when outer light is low, you kindle your own. This is why Diwali is described as the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Second, Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet linked with harmony, beauty, relationships and wealth. You can read more in our guide to what each planet means in astrology. That fits the worship of Lakshmi and the tradition of starting new account books and mending quarrels.
Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, where the same new moon falls in Scorpio. Neither is wrong. They measure from different starting points, as our guide to Vedic and Western astrology explains. If you would like to know more about the Moon’s role, see the Vedic Moon sign or Rashi.
Families often ask a priest for the best time for Lakshmi Puja. This chosen window is called a muhurat, and it falls after sunset on Diwali evening. Times differ by town, so check a local temple or a panchang (Hindu almanac) set for your location. Do not worry if you miss the exact minute.
How is Diwali marked in UK cities?
Leicester is home to one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India. For 2026, Leicester City Council has announced a family Diwali Day on Sunday 8 November at Cossington Recreation Ground, with dance, music and cultural performances on stage, food vendors, arts and crafts stalls and a children’s funfair. The Wheel of Light returns to Belgrave Road, and rangoli artworks are on show at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre. The council has said there will be no public fireworks display, and the Diwali lights were due to be turned on without a switch-on ceremony two weeks before Diwali Day.
London usually hosts Diwali on the Square in Trafalgar Square. This year’s event, planned for Sunday 25 October, was cancelled the day before on safety advice because of a storm forecast. Temples across London hold their own celebrations, including Neasden Temple, which lists Diwali on Sunday 8 November.
Mandirs and community groups in Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and many other places hold events too. Details change, so check the organiser’s own website before you travel.
Simple, respectful ways to observe Diwali
You do not need a large budget or a perfect ritual. These are widely shared customs.
- Clean and tidy your home in the days before. It is a way of making space for something new.
- Light diyas (small oil lamps) or candles at your door and windows on the evening of 8 November. Keep them away from curtains, children and pets, and never leave them unattended.
- Make a rangoli, a pattern in coloured powder, rice or flowers, by the entrance.
- Say a short prayer or sit quietly for a few minutes. Many families chant to Lakshmi and Ganesha.
- Share food and sweets with neighbours, whatever their background.
- Give to charity or help someone in need. Our guide to simple remedies such as mantra, charity and daily habits has ideas.
If you are not Hindu and are invited to join in, you are welcome. Take your shoes off where asked, dress modestly at a temple, and wish people “Happy Diwali” or “Shubh Deepavali”. Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas and Jains mark the liberation of Lord Mahavira at the same time of year.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali 2026 in the UK?
Diwali is on Sunday 8 November 2026, the evening of Lakshmi Puja. The five-day festival starts with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and ends with Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. Some temples list the later days slightly differently, so check your local programme.
Why does the date of Diwali change every year?
Diwali is fixed to the new moon day, Amavasya, in the Hindu lunar calendar, not to a date in the UK calendar. Twelve lunar months are about 11 days shorter than a solar year, and an extra month is added every few years, so the date moves between mid-October and mid-November.
Is Diwali a bank holiday in the UK?
No. Diwali is not a bank holiday in any part of the UK. In 2026 the main day falls on a Sunday, which makes it easier for many families to gather. If you need time off for the other days, speak to your employer or school in advance.
Can you celebrate Diwali if you are not Hindu?
Yes. Diwali events in UK cities are open to everyone, and many families invite friends and neighbours of all backgrounds. Light a lamp, share food and wish people a happy Diwali. If you visit a temple, dress modestly and follow the hosts’ lead.
The takeaway
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November in the UK, on the dark night of the new moon. Light a lamp, share something sweet and take a moment to think about what you would like to brighten in the year ahead. We wish you a happy and peaceful Diwali.
Newsletter
Astrology insights in your inbox
New articles and seasonal guidance, sent occasionally. No spam, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
