What Is Diwali and How Is It Celebrated?
Sep 8, 2026 / Seema Kacker
Diwali, often called the Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration observed by millions of people in India and around the world. Families gather to share meals, exchange gifts, decorate their homes with lights, and celebrate new beginnings.
Diwali traditions can vary by family, region, and faith. For many people, the holiday centers on family connection, generosity, and the triumph of light over darkness.
Diwali Celebration Essentials:
- Diwali is commonly celebrated over five days.
- Families often gather for meals, gifts, lights, and home decorations.
- Diyas, tea lights, and paper lanterns are common Diwali decorations.
- Traditional Diwali meals can include savory dishes, sweets, and family recipes.
- Families may wear traditional attire for Diwali gatherings.
- Diwali traditions can be passed between generations through food, stories, and shared celebrations.
- Put away clean, dry holiday décor and lower-use household items between celebrations.
Diwali Traditions at a Glance:
What Is Diwali?
Diwali is a five-day Festival of Lights celebrated in India and by communities around the world. The holiday includes lights, family gatherings, food, gift giving, and traditions that represent renewal and the triumph of light over darkness.
How Do Families Celebrate Diwali?
Families celebrate Diwali by gathering at home, sharing meals, decorating with lights, and spending time with friends and relatives. Many households prepare traditional foods, wear festive attire, exchange gifts, and create new memories with children and grandchildren.
Diwali celebrations often include:
- Decorating with diyas, tea lights, and paper lanterns
- Preparing family meals and holiday sweets
- Wearing traditional clothing
- Visiting friends and relatives
- Exchanging gifts
- Sharing stories and family traditions
What Foods Are Common During Diwali?
Diwali meals often include savory dishes, sweets, and recipes that families prepare and share together. Specific foods vary by region, family tradition, and personal preference.
Common Diwali foods include:
- Butter chicken
- Samosas
- Rice dishes
- Lentil dishes
- Sweet milk-based desserts
- Mithai and other holiday sweets
A shared meal can make Diwali traditions easier to pass from one generation to the next.
How Can You Decorate Your Home for Diwali?
Decorate your home for Diwali with lights, lanterns, and colorful accents that fit your space and family traditions. Use dining tables, entryways, living rooms, and other gathering areas to create a festive setting for meals and visits.
Common Diwali decorations include:
- Diyas and tea lights
- Paper lanterns
- Rangoli designs
- Table décor
- Traditional textiles
- Fresh flowers
Keep candles and lights away from curtains, paper decorations, and busy walkways. Put away decorations after the celebration in clean, dry, labeled bins.
How Can Families Create New Diwali Traditions?
Families can create new Diwali traditions by combining familiar customs with activities that fit their current home and schedule. Cooking a family recipe, decorating together, sharing holiday stories, or hosting a meal can help children connect with the celebration.
Start with one tradition your household can repeat each year. Consistent rituals create a clear link between past celebrations and future family gatherings.
How Can You Organize Diwali Decorations Between Celebrations?
Organize Diwali decorations by grouping lights, lanterns, table décor, and textiles into labeled bins. Clean and dry each item before packing it away, then place the bins where they are easy to retrieve before the next celebration.
Use labels such as:
- Diwali — Diyas and Tea Lights
- Diwali — Paper Lanterns
- Diwali — Table Décor
- Diwali — Textiles and Serving Items
Keep high-use holiday bins near the front of your storage area. Store only permitted, clean, dry household items.
Create Room for Diwali Traditions.
Celebrate Diwali by gathering with family, sharing meaningful meals, decorating your home, and continuing traditions that matter to your household. Public Storage can help you put away permitted holiday décor, clean household bins, and lower-use furniture while you organize your home for family gatherings.
Make room for light and connection.
Diwali Traditions FAQs
What Is Diwali?
Diwali is a five-day Festival of Lights celebrated by millions of people in India and around the world. The holiday commonly includes lights, food, family gatherings, gifts, and new-year traditions.
How Do Families Celebrate Diwali at Home?
Families celebrate Diwali at home by decorating with lights, preparing meals, wearing festive attire, exchanging gifts, and gathering with friends and relatives. Traditions vary by family, region, and faith.
What Foods Are Served During Diwali?
Diwali foods can include savory dishes such as samosas and butter chicken, along with sweets and milk-based desserts. Families often prepare recipes that reflect their regional and household traditions.
How Can You Store Diwali Decorations?
Store clean, dry Diwali decorations in labeled bins by category, such as lights, lanterns, textiles, and table décor. Keep the bins easy to reach before the next celebration.
Why Is Diwali Called the Festival of Lights?
Diwali is called the Festival of Lights because families commonly decorate homes with diyas, tea lights, lanterns, and other lights. For many celebrants, light represents hope, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness.
