Ashtyn Asay The Festival of Lights falls on Sunday, November 8th, but celebrations will take place throughout the Garden State in October and November. From massive community festivals and colorful cultural celebrations to family-friendly activities, shopping events, and traditional religious observances, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon of music and dancing or a more traditional celebration, there’s something for everyone. We’ve rounded up some of the Diwali events happening across NJ this year. Keep reading to find one near you.
Editor’s note: we will be adding to this list as more events are announced. Please feel free to get in touch via [email protected] to share information.
Annual Diwali Function | 20 Rita Drive, Morris Plains
Sruhadam Entertainment’s Annual Diwali Function is happening Sunday, October 18th from 5-11PM at Parsippany Hills High School. The evening will feature traditional music, snacks, festive decorations, and plenty of Diwali-themed fun. The celebration is intended to be a family-friendly way to gather with friends and celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Read More: New Jersey Museums + Libraries That Host After-Hours Events
Ascend New Jersey’s 2026 Diwali Celebration | 620 Georges Road, Monmouth Junction
Ascend New Jersey will host its 2026 Diwali Celebration on Thursday, October 15th, from 6PM-10PM at Rasio 3 in Monmouth Junction. The evening will include festive food, music, dancing, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the local community. Tickets are listed at $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers, and $5 for students, with a $35 door price.
Chhandayan 2026 Diwali Festival Celebration | 120 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater
Music lovers can celebrate Diwali with Chhandayan Center for Indian Music on Saturday, November 7th from 12PM-5PM at the PeopleCare Center in Bridgewater. The event will feature a variety of community performances, with snacks, meals, and beverages available for purchase. Festive attire is encouraged, making this a fun option for anyone looking to spend an afternoon surrounded by Indian music and culture.
Diwali Fair 2026 | 102 Carnegie Center Drive, Princeton
Organized by Business NJ, this fair will take place on Sunday, October 18th at the Hyatt Regency Princeton. The event will bring together music, dance, cultural programming, fashion, and shopping for a full day of Diwali festivities. The evening is intended to be family-friendly and includes programming representing multiple Indian languages and cultures.
Diwali in Norwood | 453 Broadway, Norwood
The third annual Diwali in Norwood event will take place on Sunday, October 18th from 3PM–7PM. This free, family-friendly festival was created to give people of all backgrounds a chance to experience Indian culture through food, music, dance, storytelling, art, and hands-on activities. There will also be diya designing and a community diya lighting.
Diwali Mela | 150 Plaza Center, Secaucus
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The Indian Caucus of Secaucus is bringing back its 16th Annual Diwali Mela on Sunday, October 4th from 12PM–6PM at Buchmuller Park. The free celebration will feature cultural exhibits, live performances, and a community marketplace, with plenty of opportunities to shop, eat, and celebrate. The event is open to everyone and has become an annual tradition in Secaucus.
Diwali on Hudson | Exchange Place, Jersey City
The Saraswati Cultural Association of New Jersey is bringing back its Diwali on Hudson celebration to Exchange Place on Saturday, October 24th from 12PM–6PM. The free, family-friendly event is celebrating its 12th year with cultural performances, vendors, and plenty of festive energy along the Jersey City waterfront. It’s also a pretty great place to celebrate if you want NYC skyline views with your Diwali festivities.
Diwali on Hudson Family Cruise | 80 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City
For a Diwali celebration with a little more flair, Bollywood Nights NYC is hosting a family-friendly cruise from Liberty Landing Marina on Saturday, November 7th, from 6PM–10PM. The evening will feature Bollywood music and dancing, a Punjabi dholi, a belly dancer, a photo booth, festive decorations, and views of the NYC skyline from the water. Festive Indian attire is encouraged, so consider this your excuse to dress up for the Festival of Lights.
Diwali Royale 2026 | 1050 King Georges Post Road, Woodbridge Township
For a more dressed-up celebration, Diwali Royale 2026 is happening Friday, November 6th from 6:30PM–11:30PM at Royal Albert’s Palace. The family-friendly evening will include Bollywood and Bhangra music, live entertainment, a fashion show, dhol performances, a complimentary Desi dinner buffet, festive décor, and a photo booth. The event is currently listed as sold out, so keep that in mind if you’re hoping to attend.
Edison Diwali Festival | 100 Municipal Boulevard, Edison
One of the biggest Diwali celebrations in the state is returning to Papaianni Park on Saturday, November 7th from 5PM–9PM, with a rain date of November 14th. According to Patch, the township and Edison Recreation Department expect more than 10,000 people for the free celebration, which will feature lights, culture, food, music, and family fun. The township is also accepting applications from food, food truck, and non-food vendors ahead of the event.
Franklin Township Diwali Celebration | 500 Elizabeth Avenue, Somerset
Franklin Township is hosting a free community Diwali celebration on Saturday, October 3rd from 3PM–6PM at Franklin High School. The afternoon will feature cultural programming and entertainment, food available for purchase, vendor tables, free mehendi, and a photo booth. No registration is required.
Grand Diwali Mela | 2863 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison
Edison is getting another Diwali celebration earlier in the season with the Grand Diwali Mela on Sunday, October 25th. The free, all-ages event will feature more than 40 vendors selling clothing, jewelry, and other festive goods, along with food, entertainment, and cultural performances. The event is scheduled for noon at Parlor Banquet.
Light Up Diwali | 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair
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AAPI New Jersey’s Light Up Diwali celebration is returning to the Montclair Art Museum on Saturday, October 17th from 2PM–6PM. The annual festival celebrates the diverse cultural traditions of the South Asian diaspora and brings the community together for an afternoon of music, culture, and festivities. Multiple food trucks will be on site, and the museum’s galleries will also be open to explore.
Monmouth Museum’s Festival of Light | 266 North Avenue, Dunellen
For a more arts-focused way to celebrate the season, the Monmouth Museum is hosting Festival of Light, a juried exhibition inspired by Diwali and themes including light, resilience, identity, and tradition. The exhibition runs from October 2nd through November 15th at the museum’s Dunellen location, with an opening reception scheduled for Friday, October 2nd at 6PM. The exhibition will also be on view during Diwali itself on November 8th.
Old Bridge Public Library Diwali Celebration | One Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge
The Old Bridge Public Library is hosting a free Diwali Celebration on Saturday, November 7th from 11AM–2PM. The all-ages event will feature diya and candle painting, paper crafts, and other activities while supplies last. No registration is required, making this an easy option for families looking for a low-key way to celebrate.
Princeton Diwali Bazaar | 4355 US-1, Princeton
The Princeton Diwali Bazaar is happening Sunday, November 1st at the DoubleTree by Hilton Princeton. The free event will feature more than 40 vendors selling Indian and Pakistani clothing, jewelry, and accessories, along with food and cultural performances representing communities from across India. The event will take place from 12PM-8PM.
SANJ Kali Puja + Diwali | 375 Forsgate Drive, Monroe Township
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The Sanatan Association of New Jersey is hosting a Kali Puja and Diwali celebration on Saturday, November 7th from 4PM-11:30PM. The event will feature a traditional Kali Puja worship ceremony, live cultural performances, and a community bazaar. Tickets are currently listed starting at $30.
See More: Hoboken Local + Author Raakhee Mirchandani Celebrates Diwali 2025
North Brunswick Diwali Gala | 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick
North Brunswick Township is hosting its annual Diwali Gala on Sunday, October 25th from 2PM–5PM at North Brunswick Township High School. The event will feature food, vendors, entertainment, and a live DJ. Admission to the event will be free.
Diwali Play Date | 124 Case Drive, South Plainfield
Parents of little ones can kick off the Diwali season at the fifth annual Diwali Play Date on Saturday, October 3rd from 12PM–3PM at The Park Villa in South Plainfield. Designed primarily for children ages 2–7, the event will include rangoli-making, diya painting, mehndi, a Bollywood dance workshop, storytime, and more. Every guest needs a ticket, including adults, and capacity is limited.
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