Isiah Christie 
Diwali is a religious holiday observed by Hindus and other Indian and South Asian communities, occurring from Monday, October 20th to Tuesday, October 21st. Known as the “Festival of Lights”, the holiday celebrates the triumph of good over evil through a variety of feasts, gatherings, and ceremonies. The Local Girl has rounded up a guide to several Diwali 2025 events happening locally. Keep reading to see a list of Diwali events happening in Hoboken, Montclair, Bergen County, and more for 2025. Don’t forget: you can submit your community events to our calendar HERE.
Disclaimer: This is a community resource. Submit events HERE and view the full calendar HERE. The Local Girl is not affiliated with hosting unless explicitly stated.
Diwali Festival of Lights | 2 Bergen County Plaza Conference Center, 15 Court Street, Hackensack
Thursday, October 16th | 5:30PM
As part of Bergen County’s Hindu Heritage Month and observation of Diwali, the county will be hosting its official inaugural celebration of the holiday. Cultural performances and a traditional lighting of the diya lamp will headline the event, as traditional food and music are provided. This event is open to all visitors.
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Ramayan Musical – Ramamayi Deepostav | Tagore Hall, 269 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset
Friday, October 17th | 7PM
This musical will showcase the mythological epic of Ramayana and its connection to Diwali with devotional music and performances. Over 30 performers will be involved, and dance and music courses will also be available for participation. Parking is available for free.
Premium and General tickets are available at $30 and $25 respectively, with the former offering what the venue describes as “the best of the experience”. Tickets can be purchased here.
Jashan’s Annual Diwali Night | Jashan by Dhaba, 252 US-46, Parsippany
Friday, October 17th | 7:30PM
Parsippany’s Indian eatery Jashan by Dhaba will host this vibrant event with a focus on both traditional and contemporary festivities. Among its features will be live Bollywood music, a fireworks display, and dancing. Over 50 restaurant-curated dishes will be provided alongside a dessert table and mocktail bar. Raffles and competitions will also be hosted for prizes.
Tickets are $75 for adults and $35 for kids, and the event coordinators highly recommend purchasing them ahead of time. Parking is free and available at the venue.
15th Annual Diwali Mela | Buchmuller Park, Secaucus
Saturday, October 18th | 12PM
The non-profit organization Indian Caucus of Secaucus will host its 15th annual Diwali Mela, a cultural festival featuring vendors, North + South Indian dishes, kid-friendly activities, live entertainment, and opportunities to win prizes. Entry to the event is free, and street parking is available to all visitors.
One Fake Shaadi Ultimate Diwali Party | Ember Premier Banquets, 3793 U.S. Route 1 Building # 1, Monmouth Junction
Saturday, October 18th | 7PM
This family-friendly social event will celebrate Diwali with a special dinner, live music, dance floor, open bar, festive activities, and a photo booth. Appetizers, vegan and non-vegan entrees, and desserts will be available. Attendees are expected to wear festive, ethnic wear, and the event is a fun opportunity to socialize and dance.
Admission is all-inclusive with an entry fee of $85 per adult and $40 per child aged 6 to 12. A $680 option is also available for tables of 8. Children five and under receive free admission. Tickets can be found here.
Diwaliween | The Ainsworth, 310 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
Saturday, October 18th | 10PM–2AM
This party will celebrate both Diwali and Halloween in one night, hosted at Hoboken’s restaurant The Ainsworth. This event will feature a fusion of festive music and Bollywood anthems, as well as live performances from artists. Drinks will be available for purchase, although food will not be served or allowed into the venue.
Diwaliween is an 18+ event and will not be accessible without a government-issued physical photo ID. Purchasing tickets ahead of time is strongly encouraged and can be done here.
Diwali Crafternoon | Hoboken Public Library Small Program Room, 500 Park Avenue, Hoboken
Sunday, October 19th | 12PM–2PM
Hoboken Public Library is hosting a “Diwali Crafternoon” event where adults can paint traditional diya lamps and Diwali-themed diamond art signs. No experience is necessary for participation, and all materials will be provided as part of the activities. This event has no fee, but a Hoboken Public Library card is required.
Diwali Fest NJ 2025 | Maplewood Memorial Park Amphitheater, 580 Valley Street, Maplewood
Saturday, October 25th | 2PM–6PM
This festival will run through Saturday afternoon with live performances, activities, food, and vendors. Among the expected vendors are Shades of Gold, specializing in jewelry; Tinted Heritage, which sells modern Indian home decor and gifts; Baabu Foods, selling Indian fusion snacks; Vyom Design Studio, specializing in Desi Pop Culture-inspired drinkware, and more. Admission to the event is free.
Montclair Diwali | Beyond the Boogie Dance Studio, 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair
Saturday, October 25th | 4PM–7PM
This event will be held at the Beyond the Boogie Dance Studio in Upper Montclair during the weekend following Diwali. Hosted by Bollywood Funk NYC and reading coach InkPageImagination, it will feature a Bollywood dance workshop, food, festive stories, arts + crafts, local vendors, and more family-friendly activities. The hosts highly encourage wearing festive Indian apparel.
Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 per child, and can be found here. Children under the age of two receive free admission.
Diwali Festival 2025 | Sheraton, 125 Raritan Center Parkway, Edison
Saturday, November 1st | 6PM
This festival will feature a live DJ set, curated ethnic food, unlimited drinks, a festive photo booth, and cultural pop-ups. A wide variety of live performances will accompany the festivities, including live singing, stand-up comedy, and a fireworks show. Kids’ activities, including a rangoli competition and henna tattoo services, will also be provided.
The adult admission fee is $85, with children aged 12 to 15 receiving a reduced price of $30. Children under the age of 12 receive free admission. Tables of 8 are also offered at a discounted price of $600. To purchase tickets, visit here.
Anand Bhate Live Concert | Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Sunday, November 2nd | 10AM
The widely acclaimed Indian classical vocalist Anand Bhate will be the featured performer of a concert celebrating Diwali at the Union County Performing Arts Center. This will provide immersion into the richness of Indian tradition, with live instrumentalists backing Bhate’s performance.
Seats are limited and the event is expected to be a full house, so attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time. Tickets of varying prices, depending on the seating level, are available for purchase here.
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