Summary of Diwali Australia 2026
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November — the five-day festival runs from 6 to 10 November 2026; Diwali is not a public holiday in Australia but falls on a Sunday in 2026, so most community events and melas are held across the full weekend of 7-8 November
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all host major Diwali events — from the Sydney Opera House sails lit in gold to Federation Square in Melbourne and major melas across Indian community suburbs nationwide
Send money home to India or Nepal for Diwali with OrbitRemit — AUD to INR is always fee-free; NZD to INR is a flat NZD $4 fee; over 85% of transfers to India arrive within 2 hours
Diwali — the Festival of Lights — is one of the most joyful celebrations on the calendar for India’s 800,000-strong diaspora in Australia, as well as for Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Fijian-Indian and broader South Asian communities. It marks the spiritual victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
In 2026, Diwali falls on a Sunday — making it one of the most accessible Diwali celebrations in recent years, with community events, melas and temple celebrations spread across the full weekend without the disruption of a midweek date.
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali follows a lunisolar calendar, so the date changes each year. In 2026:
| Day | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dhanteras | Friday 6 November |
| Day 2 | Kali Chaudas / Chhoti Diwali | Sunday 8 November |
| Day 3 | Diwali (Laxmi Pujan) | Sunday 8 November |
| Day 4 | Govardhan Puja | Monday 9 November |
| Day 5 | Bhai Dooj | Tuesday 10 November |
Note: In 2026, Days 2 and 3 fall on the same date — Sunday 8 November.
The main day of celebration — Laxmi Pujan — is Sunday 8 November 2026. Most Australian community events are held on the weekend of 7-8 November, with some larger melas beginning the weekend before.
Diwali is not a public holiday in Australia. With the main day falling on a Sunday in 2026, most Australians will be able to attend events without taking time off work.
What is Diwali?
Diwali (also called Deepavali — both names refer to the same festival) is one of the most widely observed religious and cultural festivals in the world. It is celebrated primarily by Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities, though it has become a multicultural celebration in Australian cities with large South Asian populations.
The traditions:
- Diyas (oil lamps): Rows of small clay lamps lit to symbolise the dispelling of darkness
- Rangoli: Intricate coloured patterns made from powders, flowers or sand at home entrances
- Lakshmi Puja: Prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, for good fortune in the year ahead
- Fireworks and sparklers: Community firework displays are common (subject to local council approvals)
- Sweets and gifts: Families exchange mithai (Indian sweets) and gifts with friends and neighbours
- New clothes: Many families wear new or traditional clothing on the main day
- Noche Buena equivalent: Special feasts with family, often including kheer, gulab jamun, samosas and biryani
Diwali events across Australia in 2026
Two major Melbourne events are already confirmed for 2026. Events in other cities will be announced from September onwards — we will publish a full events guide closer to the festival.
Melbourne
Melbourne Diwali 2026 — Marvel Stadium Square
- Date: Friday 31 October 2026, 2pm-10pm
- Where: Marvel Stadium Square, Melbourne CBD
- What: Victoria’s largest Diwali event — 25,000+ expected attendees, 40+ performances, food stalls, AUD $20,000+ in giveaways
- Cost: Free entry
- Details: melbournediwali.com
Victorian Festival of Diwali — Federation Square
- Date: Weekend of 7-8 November 2026
- Where: Federation Square, Melbourne CBD
- What: Spectacular fireworks, Bollywood and classical dance on the main stage, food stalls, hundreds of diyas. Presented by Celebrate India with Federation Square support. Free.
- Details: fedsquare.com
More events across Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra will be announced from September 2026. Check back here for the full updated guide.
How to celebrate Diwali at home in Australia
If you are far from a community event or simply want to mark Diwali at home:
Decorate: String fairy lights around your home, light diyas (available from Indian grocery stores in all major Australian cities), and create a rangoli at your entrance.
Prepare a feast: Cook or order from an Indian restaurant. Harris Park (Sydney), Dandenong (Melbourne), Sunnybank (Brisbane) and Northbridge (Perth) all have excellent Indian restaurants that run Diwali specials.
Puja: Set up a small puja (prayer) space at home with an image of Lakshmi, flowers, diyas and prasad (offering). This does not require a temple — a simple home puja is entirely appropriate.
Call and transfer: For many in the Australian Indian community, Diwali is a time to connect with family back home — and often to send money home for celebrations, sweets and gifts. A transfer before the festival so family can celebrate properly is one of the most meaningful things you can do from Australia.
Sending money to India and Nepal for Diwali
Diwali is one of the biggest gifting seasons in India. Many Indian and Nepalese migrants in Australia send money home before Diwali so family can buy new clothes, sweets, gifts and firecrackers — and to contribute to shared family celebrations.
From Australia to India
- AUD to INR: always fee-free — no transfer fee, no exchange rate markup
- Direct to SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, PNB, Canara, Union Bank and all major Indian banks
- UPI delivery supported — fastest option; over 85% of transfers arrive within 2 hours
- Rate locked at confirmation
From New Zealand to India
- NZD to INR: flat NZD $4 fee (fee-free above NZD $10,000)
- Same bank coverage and delivery speed
From Australia or New Zealand to Nepal
- AUD to NPR: fee-free from Australia
- NZD to NPR: flat NZD $4 fee
- Direct to all major Nepalese banks and eSewa, IME Pay, Khalti mobile wallets
Tip: Use OrbitRemit’s rate alerts to time your transfer when AUD/INR is at its best before Diwali. Set your target rate in the app and get a push notification when it’s hit.
FAQ’s (frequently asked questions)
When is Diwali 2026 in Australia?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November 2026 (Laxmi Pujan, the main day). The five-day festival runs from 6 to 10 November. Most Australian community events are held on the weekend of 7-8 November.
Is Diwali a public holiday in Australia?
No. Diwali is not a public holiday anywhere in Australia. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, so most community events are accessible without taking leave.
What is the difference between Diwali and Deepavali?
They are the same festival — different regional names. Diwali is more commonly used in northern India; Deepavali is more common in southern India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia. Both are widely used in Australia.
Who celebrates Diwali in Australia?
Primarily Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities — particularly the Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan and Fijian-Indian communities. Many multicultural community organisations and local councils also hold public Diwali events open to all Australians.
How do I send money home to India for Diwali?
OrbitRemit supports fee-free AUD to INR transfers with UPI delivery. Over 85% arrive within 2 hours. Visit orbitremit.com/india for the current rate.
Festival dates are based on confirmed 2026 lunisolar calendar calculations. Event details for individual venues are subject to change — always confirm with the organiser before attending. Last updated July 2026.
Sources: australianpublicholidays.com — Diwali Australia 2026 | onlymelbourne.com.au — Melbourne Diwali 2026 | amirbrooks.com.au — Diwali Melbourne 2026 | datetimeonline.com — Diwali 2026 Australia | NSW Multicultural — Diwali celebrations light up Sydney | india.com.au — Diwali events Australia
