Diwali 2027 (Divali) when is it and how to celebrate it?

What is Diwali?

Diwali, also spelled Deepavali and written Divali in Dutch Hindustani usage, is the Hindu festival of lights. Hindus light small clay lamps, diyas, in homes and temples, because light wins over darkness and good over evil. The festival follows the lunar calendar and is held around a new moon (Ashvin or Kartik, depending on the calendar used), so it falls between mid-October and mid-November.

Hindus tell several stories about it. Many link Diwali with Rama's return to Ayodhya after his exile and his victory over Ravana. Another tradition places its beginning at the churning of the cosmic ocean, from which the goddess Lakshmi emerged. The day before the main day recalls Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura.

Lakshmi stands at the centre. In the Hindustani tradition in the Netherlands the main day is the worship of Laxmi-mata, a goddess in whom happiness, purity, wisdom, prosperity and warmth come together.

Diwali joined the Dutch inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2021, and UNESCO listed Deepavali as intangible cultural heritage in 2025.

Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Newar Buddhists

Diwali is first of all a Hindu festival, but people of other faiths mark the same season, each for their own reasons.

Jain tradition holds that Mahavira reached nirvana at Pavapuri on the new-moon night of Ashwin, around 527 BCE, and that lamps were lit that night to keep the light of his teaching alive. Jains still light clay lamps at home and in temples, and many stress simplicity and prayer over fireworks.

Sikhs remember Bandi Chhor Divas, the day the sixth Guru, Hargobind, left Gwalior Fort, where Emperor Jahangir had held him. According to Sikh tradition he was freed together with 52 imprisoned princes. Gurdwaras and homes are lit up.

Newar Buddhists in Nepal keep their own five-day festival, Swanti, at the same time as Tihar; Newar Hindus keep Swanti too. Lakshmi is worshipped on the third day.

The five days of Diwali

In most places Diwali lasts five days. Names and customs differ by region; this is the usual run.

Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) is the first day: Lakshmi is worshipped together with Kubera. In the Hindustani tradition in the Netherlands the day is linked to Dhanvantari, the god of medicine.

Naraka Chaturdashi is the day before the main day. Many Hindus recall Krishna's victory over Narakasura; in the Hindustani tradition in the Netherlands, Yama, the god of the dead, is worshipped on this day.

Lakshmi Puja is the main day, often simply called Diwali: Lakshmi is worshipped in the evening and lamps are lit. In Kolkata, the new-moon night of Diwali belongs to Kali rather than Lakshmi.

Govardhan Puja is the fourth day. In the Hindustani tradition in the Netherlands it is a day to reflect on how people, animals and nature belong together. In India the day also honours Krishna and the Govardhan hill and, as Bali Pratipada, King Bali.

Bhai Dooj, also called Yama Dwitiya, is the fifth day and is about siblings: sisters put a tilak on their brothers and brothers visit their sisters' homes.

The Hindustani tradition in the Netherlands counts six parts and begins before Dhanteras with Kodjagriwrat, a night of staying awake.

When is Diwali in 2027?

By the Indian calendar, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Friday 29 October 2027. The five days run: Dhanteras on Wednesday 27 October, Naraka Chaturdashi on Thursday 28 October, Lakshmi Puja on Friday 29 October, Govardhan Puja on Saturday 30 October and Bhai Dooj on Sunday 31 October.

Calculated for Amsterdam, Lakshmi Puja falls on Thursday 28 October. The puja is held in the evening while the Amavasya lunar day is running. Amavasya, the lunar day of the new moon, begins at 17:17 on 28 October and ends at 15:35 on 29 October, so the main time is the evening of the 28th, from 18:56 to 20:32.

The Amsterdam calendar then runs: Dhanteras on Wednesday 27 October, Naraka Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja on Thursday 28 October, Govardhan Puja on Friday 29 October and Bhai Dooj on Saturday 30 October. So the date in the Netherlands can be a day earlier than in India, and temples and organisers set their own day. Dutch organisers have not announced 2027 editions yet.

Diwali or Divali?

Both spellings are in use in the Netherlands, and it is the same festival. Divali is how the Hindustani community from Suriname writes it. The festival reached Suriname from India in 1873, and Hindustani migrants from Suriname have kept it alive in the Netherlands for about sixty years. The foundation APNA in Rotterdam put it forward for the Dutch inventory of intangible cultural heritage, together with the Priest Council of the Netherlands.

Dutch organisers use both: Divali at the Zaantheater, the Meervaart and the Laaktheater, Diwali for the festival in Amstelveen.

In Suriname Divali is a public holiday. In 2024 the national celebration took place on Independence Square in Paramaribo, where figures of Rama and Sita lit a giant dia, in the 18th year of that national celebration.

Where Diwali and Divali are celebrated in the Netherlands

Diwali is celebrated at home and in places of worship, and big cities hold festivals before the main day. About 250,000 people of various nationalities take part across the country. These are the 2026 editions.

Amstelveen. Stichting Diwali Festival has organised the Diwali Festival since 2009. 2026 edition (the 18th): Saturday 31 October, Handelsplein, 12:00 to 19:00; music and dance, workshops, Indian food, market stalls, closing fireworks; free entry.

Rotterdam. APNA Divali Familie Festival, 2026: Sunday 25 October, de Doelen (Grote Zaal), from 14:00.

Amsterdam. The Meervaart's Ujala, a Divali concert with a family torch procession; 2026: Sunday 1 November.

The Hague. Celebrating Divali, a dance show at the Laaktheater; 2026: Sunday 1 November, 15:00.

Zaandam. A Divali evening in the Zaantheater, organised by the Indian Light Foundation with other Zaanstad partners; 2026: Friday 13 November, 18:00 to 22:00.

Almere. The province of Flevoland granted a permit for fireworks on the Weerwater during the Diwali event on 31 October and 1 November 2026.

Dutch organisers have not announced 2027 editions yet. Events in other places appear in the list on this page as soon as they are announced.

What to expect

At home, the Dutch Hindustani celebration starts with a thorough clean, because the goddess is invited into the house. At every step of the festival a dia is lit: a small clay pot of ghee. The meals are vegetarian, music is played on instruments made of natural materials such as wood and leather, and people greet each other with Subh Divali, a wish for plenty of happiness and enlightenment.

The public events are festivals and concerts. Amstelveen's programme: a music procession from the shopping centre to the festival grounds, an opening ceremony, dance and music acts for all ages, market stalls with Indian shawls, jewellery and sweets, restaurants with food from across India and closing fireworks.

The Meervaart concert: a vegetarian culinary intermezzo, foyer activities and a family torch procession. The Laaktheater show: classical Indian dance and Bollywood with live musicians.

How to join

Entry depends on the organiser. Amstelveen's Diwali Festival, 2026: free, no registration needed. Meervaart concert, 2026: €15 (second tier) or €20 (first tier), drink included, plus a €2.00 booking fee per booking; the torch procession is free. Laaktheater show, 2026: €15.00. Zaantheater evening, 2026: open to everyone, not only people with an Indian background.

Fireworks: since 1 August 2026 a national ban on consumer fireworks applies. Consumers may only use category F1, such as sparklers, ornamental fountains and bang snaps, with Dutch instructions on the pack. Professionals may put on fireworks shows with a permit, such as the one granted for the Weerwater in Almere.