Diwali 2026 Calendar: Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj Dates (5 Days)

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The festival runs over five days, starting with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November and ending with Bhai Dooj on Wednesday, 11 November. This page gives the full Diwali 2026 calendar, what each day is for, and a simple checklist so you are ready.

Rows of lit diyas with marigold garlands and rangoli for Diwali 2026

Diwali 2026 dates at a glance

DateDayFestival
6 NovFriDhanteras (Dhantrayodashi)
7 NovSatKali Chaudas / Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi)
8 NovSunDiwali, Lakshmi Puja and Chopda Puja
10 NovTueGovardhan Puja / Annakut and Gujarati New Year*
11 NovWedBhai Dooj

*Panchang sources differ by a day for Govardhan Puja and the Gujarati New Year. Drik Panchang lists Pratipada on 9 November for New Delhi, while others list 10 November. Check your local panchang or temple calendar for your city.

What happens on each day of Diwali?

Dhanteras (6 November)

The first day is for buying something new, traditionally gold, silver or a steel or brass utensil, and for worshipping Lakshmi and Dhanvantari. Many homes start cleaning and decorating before this day.

Choti Diwali (7 November)

Also called Kali Chaudas or Naraka Chaturdashi. Families light diyas in the evening and make the first rangoli. See our easy rangoli designs for Diwali 2026.

Lakshmi Puja thali with brass kalash, gold coins, flowers, diya and sweets

Diwali and Lakshmi Puja (8 November)

The main night. Families do Lakshmi Puja in the evening, light diyas around the home and share sweets. Business families do Chopda Puja and open new account books. The exact puja time depends on your city, so use a local panchang for the muhurat.

Govardhan Puja and New Year (10 November)

Annakut is a large offering of food. In Gujarat this is also New Year, when people say Saal Mubarak and visit family.

Bhai Dooj (11 November)

Sisters pray for their brothers' long life and brothers give gifts. It closes the five-day festival.

Diwali 2026 preparation checklist

Diwali 2026 wishes you can share

Copy any of these and send them on WhatsApp, Instagram or SMS. For more, see our full list of Diwali wishes in Hindi, Gujarati and English.

Diwali wishes in English

  • Happy Diwali! May your home be filled with light, love and sweet moments.
  • Wishing you and your family a bright and joyful Diwali 2026.
  • May the diyas of Diwali light up your life with happiness and peace. Shubh Deepavali!
  • Warm wishes for Dhanteras and Diwali. May this year bring you good health and prosperity.

Diwali wishes in Hindi

  • दीपावली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं! आपका घर खुशियों और रोशनी से भरा रहे।
  • धनतेरस की शुभकामनाएं! माँ लक्ष्मी आपके घर सुख और समृद्धि लाएं।
  • भाई दूज की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं! भाई-बहन का प्यार हमेशा बना रहे।

Diwali wishes in Gujarati

  • દિવાળીની હાર્દિક શુભકામનાઓ! તમારું ઘર ખુશીઓ અને રોશનીથી ભરેલું રહે.
  • નૂતન વર્ષાભિનંદન! આવનારું વર્ષ તમારા માટે સુખ અને સમૃદ્ધિ લાવે.

FAQ

When is Diwali in 2026? Sunday, 8 November 2026. This is the main Lakshmi Puja day.

When is Dhanteras 2026? Friday, 6 November 2026.

When is Bhai Dooj 2026? Wednesday, 11 November 2026.

Why do some calendars show different dates? Diwali follows the lunar calendar, and tithi timings change by city. Dates for Govardhan Puja and the New Year can differ by one day between panchangs.

Dates checked on 14 October 2026 against panchang.now, drikpanchang.com and sanskritcalendar.com. Please confirm timings with your local panchang.

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