Celebrate Diwali

Diwali is celebrated throughout much of India in October or November (this year, it falls on Friday November 1), with the main celebrations taking place on the darkest night of the Hindu month. The festival signals the end of the harvest season and is typically celebrated by spending time with family, attending local festivities and feasting.

From fireworks to fairgrounds and city-wide illuminations— Diwali certainly puts on a show. Downtown markets and historic buildings are given a new lease of life with elaborate decorations that light up the night sky, with theatre productions, concerts and dances all on offer, too, many of which take place in outdoor venues. In addition to fireworks, Diwali is also synonymous with firecrackers – these are let off constantly during the main celebrations, so (literally) watch your step and prepare for a noisy atmosphere in city centres.

Food and gift giving complement one another perfectly during Diwali—expect to see plenty of mithai sweets in particular. Popular ingredients include dried fruit, syrup, milk, nuts, cardamom and saffron. Also look out for dessert dishes such as the buttery fried halwa made with pumpkin or carrot. Plenty of traditional savoury dishes are also on offer, from samosas to the deep-fried pakora vegetables.

If you're travelling to India, keep in mind that in the north, Diwali is a five-day festival, while in the south, it's usually a one-day event.