Diwali has been added to California’s official listing of statewide holidays, simply in time for this 12 months’s festivities.
This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into regulation Meeting Invoice 268, which locations Diwali — often known as Deepavali and the Hindu “Competition of Lights” — on the listing of formally noticed state holidays. The regulation takes impact Jan. 1, 2026.
Diwali falls on Oct. 20, however the date varies annually, much like Lunar New 12 months, and relies on the Hindu lunar calendar.
Diwali turns into the twelfth California state vacation. Others embody Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.
Underneath the brand new regulation, neighborhood faculties and public faculties can shut on Diwali. State staff also can elect to take the time without work; sure neighborhood faculties and public college staff will get break day with pay on the vacation.
Diwali is a five-day celebration that marks the start of the brand new 12 months within the Hindu calendar, in keeping with the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of Asian Artwork. Traditionally, festivities happen after the 12 months’s final harvest in both October or November. It’s celebrated by members of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths.
Celebrations are rooted in recognizing relationships between household, mates and others locally.
California is the third state, following Pennsylvania and Connecticut, to formally acknowledge the vacation. The New Jersey Division of Schooling permits college students to be absent to watch Diwali, and public faculties in New York Metropolis are closed in observance of the vacation.
Los Angeles County has formally acknowledged Diwali since 2022. The trouble to acknowledge the vacation was led by L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose Fourth District contains Artesia, house to the “Little India” neighborhood that’s comprised of Indian-owned outlets, eating places and organizations. The district additionally contains the town of Norwalk the place Radha Krishna temple, one of many oldest Hindu temples west of the Mississippi River, is positioned.
“Diwali is important for hundreds of households throughout L.A. County, and I feel it’s necessary for presidency to acknowledge that. I’m proud to have led our County in doing that for our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities,” Hahn stated in a press release. “And now greater than ever, we will discover consolation and hope within the defining message of Diwali: Gentle will conquer darkness and good will conquer evil.”
Among the many Diwali festivities in Southern California are:
Celebration on the Los Angeles Public Library, Pacoima Department
When: Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.
The place: The neighborhood room on the Pacoima department library, 13605 Van Nuys Blvd.
The household pleasant occasion will embody an academic element and supply attendees with tea mild candles. For extra data contact the department at (818) 899-5203.
Fourth Annual SoCal Diwali Competition
When: Oct. 11 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The place: Don Knabe Group Regional Park, 19700 Bloomfield Ave.. Cerritos
The competition, which is sponsored by Hahn’s workplace and arranged by the Radha Krishna temple, presents meals distributors, procuring stalls, clothes and music.
Diwali Mela 2025 hosted by the United Indian Assn.
When: Oct. 12 from 3 p.m. to eight p.m.
The place: Pioneer Elementary College, 2010 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood
Diwali celebrations will embody meals distributors, music, dance, and humanities and crafts cubicles — in addition to conventional Rangoli shows. Tickets begin at $8. For extra data, name (313) 312-5246 or e-mail information@united-indian.org.
Competition of Unity hosted by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
When: Oct. 18-21
The place: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 15100 Fairfield Ranch Highway in Chino Hills.
A full itinerary of supplied actions and its begin instances will be discovered on-line.
Diwali Dunz hosted by Sevasphere
When: Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The place: The Walnut Constructing, 691 Mill St. in Los Angeles
Diwali Dunz is providing hands-on cultural and academic workshops, stay music and dance, meals and procuring stalls. Basic admission prices $30, VIP tickets promote for $60 and a basic admission ticket with a play move (which incorporates 10 lessons) prices $150. A whole listing of ticket choices will be discovered on-line.
5–day Diwali festivities on the Jain Heart of Southern California
When: Occasions are deliberate from Oct. 18 via Oct. 22.
The place: Jain Heart of Southern California at 8072 Commonwealth Ave., Buena Park
The Jain Heart of Southern California has deliberate 5 days of celebrations. A whole listing of choices and instances will be discovered on-line.
