The 10 best places to celebrate Diwali in the U.S.

One of New York City’s mainstays, Diwali at Times Square celebrates a decade since its inception this year when it returns on October 12. This free event features Indian food, Bollywood music and lively performances. On October 16, Diwali on the Hudson, a fundraising gala at HK Hall, offers guests a chance to mingle and celebrate. The Met Museum will mark the festival with a fusion of Punjabi music, jazz and hip-hop. The concert from Brooklyn-based band Red Baraat (Oct 24 at 7pm, tickets starting at $35) is sure to get everyone on their feet. The Asia Society is celebrating it with a family day (October 18 at 1pm, $20) with music and dance performances, interactive puppet shows, storytelling, and hands-on arts and crafts. There is a special reading of the new children’s book Festivals at the Bungalow by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna.

On Friday, October 24, 2025, from 4 to 9pm, the National Museum of Asian Art will host an evening full of live music, dance and hands-on activities to celebrate Diwali. Guests can savor food from iconic D.C. favorites like Rasa, Himalayan Soul Food and CHA Street Food; try their hand rangoli and diya making; and watch artist Shanthi Chandrasekar create a live kolam. Conservator-in-training Dhruvika Bisht will share insights into the role of metals in Diwali traditions. As night falls, the museum will glow with an after-hours dance party. Admission is free. On Sunday, October 19 at 7pm, Gallery 16ten will host a vibrant Diwali evening featuring traditional music, colorful decor and festive food. Guests are encouraged to dress bright and festive for the occasion. Tickets are $28.52.

On the same day as Diwali, the Nepalese community celebrates Tihar, a festival that shares many of the same rituals and festive spirit. In Philadelphia, young South Asians will come together to celebrate both festivals on October 19. Slated to be held at speakeasy-style Midnight & the Wicked, expect young South Asians of the city to converge and connect over games, Bollywood and Nepali music and food. Tickets start at $45.

The Bhangra & Beats Night Market returns to Downtown San Francisco with a vibrant mix of Indian street food, craft cocktails and unique local artisans, all set against the city’s glittering skyline. After a summertime edition in July, the series returns on October 24 as the City and County of San Francisco’s official Diwali celebration. Another unique way to celebrate the festival could be Diwali Fun Run + Festival on October 11 in Palo Alto. Whether you want to lace up for the 5K or 10K run, or just want to soak in the energy, there’s something for everyone. Or join SF Queer Diwali, where the city’s LGBTQ+ Desi community will get together at El Rio, the city’s iconic queer-friendly bar and performance venue for some dancing, drag performances and fun games (Oct 18 3–8pm). Meanwhile, the Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile will return with its third annual Diwali: Festival of Lights on October 19, which will include chutney-making demo, chai sampling, Indian crafts and textile displays, rangoli workshop, henna tattoos and live music.

Seattle will shine bright on October 18 with Diwali: Lights of India at Seattle Center’s Armory Food & Event Hall. This free celebration will bring together music, dance, martial arts, cooking demos and visual art to showcase India’s rich cultural traditions. The Seattle Asian Art Museum will host its Diwali Family Festival on October 11, from 11a, to 2pm, which will feature storytelling, live music, cultural performances and hands-on art making. Attendees can decorate a jharokha tea-light holder, enjoy Nepalese flavors from the Kathmandu MoMoCha food truck, take part in a Bhangra dance workshop and more. Admission is included with museum entry ($15). Or go for a Bollywood-style Diwali bash at Ora Nightclub on October 18. Tickets are $20.

The 6th Annual Diwali Mela in Chicago on October 11 at the National India Hub in Schaumburg will feature live music and cultural performances, dance competitions, fashion shows and a bunch of vendor booths offering jewelry, apparel, crafts and more. Or you could celebrate it in style aboard the Anita Dee Yacht on October 3. This boat party will feature Bollywood, Bhangra and Tollywood music for over three hours as it sails through the scenic Chicago Harbor. Tickets start at $40. Families can take their little ones to the Field Museum’s PlayLab PlayDate: Diwali Storytime and Craft on October 8. The free event, designed for children ages 2 to 6, includes a read-aloud of Shine a Light on Diwali by author Parul L. Bhandari, followed by hands-on crafts.

The SoCal Diwali Festival on October 11 at Don Knabe Regional Park in Cerritos features fashion shows, live music and garba dancing, along with festive shopping stalls and delicious food. If you want to go with more traditional vibes, you could join the festivities at the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple Los Angeles, where they’re hosting a week of devotional programs filled with music, rituals and blessings. 

A free, family-friendly event at the Asia Society Texas Center features a vibrant array of cultural activities, including traditional dance performances, arts and crafts and a captivating enactment of the Ramayana (Oct 26 3–7pm). The 14th edition of the International Diwali Dussehra Festival on October 4 in Sugar Land, which draws families from across the state, also features live Ram Leela performances, traditional dance showcases and a dazzling fireworks display to conclude the evening. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the event, and free for children under 7 years old.

The Visions of India Festival, hosted by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on October 23 and 25, brings together Indian food, henna tattoo artists, traditional dancers and live music, with its centerpiece being The Planets—Gustav Holst’s legendary orchestral suite reimagined in a cosmic mash-up by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Hindustani violinist Kala Ramnath, cocomposer Reena Esmail, guest conductor Vinay Parameswaran and composer Nina Shekhar. Or celebrate the festival with the Diwali Paper Lantern Craft on October 25 at the Sandy Springs Branch of the Fulton County Library System. This free, family-friendly workshop invites children to craft their own colorful paper lanterns. While the event is designed for kids, all ages are welcome to join in the fun.

The Grand Diwali Mela on October 18, from noon to 10pm, at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney, TX, includes carnival rides, a grand fashion show, live music and dance performances, and a dramatic Ram Leela reenactment. Enjoy a Diwali Bazaar with cultural vendors, indulge in authentic Indian cuisine at the food court and participate in community talent showcases.