Diwali has been added to California's charismatic database of statewide holidays, conscionable successful clip for this year's festivities.
This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into rule Assembly Bill 268, which places Diwali -- besides known arsenic Deepavali and the Hindu "Festival of Lights" -- connected the database of officially observed authorities holidays. The rule takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Diwali falls connected Oct. 20, but the day varies each year, akin to Lunar New Year, and is based connected the Hindu lunar calendar.
Diwali becomes the 12th California authorities holiday. Others see Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.
Under the caller law, organization colleges and nationalist schools could adjacent connected Diwali. State labor could besides elite to return the time off; definite organization colleges and nationalist schoolhouse labor will get clip disconnected pinch salary connected the holiday.
Diwali is simply a five-day ceremony that marks the opening of the caller twelvemonth successful the Hindu calendar, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. Historically, festivities hap aft the year's past harvest successful either October aliases November. It's celebrated by members of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths.
Celebrations are rooted successful recognizing relationships betwixt family, friends and others successful the community.
California is the 3rd state, pursuing Pennsylvania and Connecticut, to officially admit the holiday. The New Jersey Department of Education allows students to beryllium absent to observe Diwali, and nationalist schools successful New York City are closed successful observance of the holiday.
Los Angeles County has officially recognized Diwali since 2022. The effort to admit the vacation was led by L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose 4th District includes Artesia, location to the "Little India" organization that is comprised of Indian-owned shops, restaurants and organizations. The territory besides includes the metropolis of Norwalk wherever Radha Krishna temple, 1 of the oldest Hindu temples westbound of the Mississippi River, is located.
"Diwali is important for thousands of families crossed L.A. County, and I deliberation it's important for authorities to admit that. I'm proud to person led our County successful doing that for our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities," Hahn said successful a statement. "And now much than ever, we could find comfortableness and dream successful the defining connection of Diwali: Light will triumph complete acheronian and bully will triumph complete evil."
Among the Diwali festivities successful Southern California are:
Celebration astatine the Los Angeles Public Library, Pacoima Branch
When: Oct. 9 astatine 4 p.m.
Where: The organization room astatine the Pacoima branch library, 13605 Van Nuys Blvd.
The family friends arena will include an acquisition constituent and supply attendees pinch beverage ray candles. For much accusation interaction the branch astatine (818) 899-5203.
4th Annual SoCal Diwali Festival
When: Oct. 11 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Don Knabe Community Regional Park, 19700 Bloomfield Ave.. Cerritos
The festival, which is sponsored by Hahn's agency and organized by the Radha Krishna temple, offers nutrient vendors, shopping stalls, clothing and music.
Diwali Mela 2025 hosted by the United Indian Assn.
When: Oct. 12 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Elementary School, 2010 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood
Diwali celebrations will include nutrient vendors, music, dance, and arts and crafts booths -- arsenic good arsenic accepted Rangoli displays. Tickets commencement astatine $8. For much information, telephone (313) 312-5246 aliases email [email protected].
Festival of Unity hosted by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
When: Oct. 18-21
Where: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 15100 Fairfield Ranch Road successful Chino Hills.
A afloat itinerary of offered activities and its commencement times could beryllium found online.
Diwali Dunz hosted by Sevasphere
When: Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: The Walnut Building, 691 Mill St. successful Los Angeles
Diwali Dunz is offering hands-on taste and acquisition workshops, unrecorded euphony and dance, nutrient and shopping stalls. General admittance costs $30, VIP tickets waste for $60 and a wide admittance summons pinch a play walk (which includes 10 classes) costs $150. A complete database of summons offerings could beryllium found online.
5-Day Diwali festivities astatine the Jain Center of Southern California
When: Events are planned from Oct. 19 done Oct. 22.
Where: Jain Center of Southern California astatine 8072 Commonwealth Ave., Buena Park
The Jain Center of Southern California has planned 5 days of celebrations. A complete database of offerings and times could beryllium recovered online.