It is no secret that many Indians dream of settling in Canada since it offers a high quality of life and world-class education in a beautiful setting. It’s not just a country with perks but also a welcoming heart for immigrants. People from all over the world find Canada perfect for long-term settlement because it retains different cultures and traditions with a smile, and the Diwali celebration in Canada is one of the best examples. If you want to celebrate Diwali in Canada, we have compiled a list of how Canada celebrates the festival of Diwali.
What is Diwali?
Ramachandra, the seventh manifestation of Vishnu, is honoured in Diwali. After spending 14 years in exile, fighting evil spirits and Ravana, Lord Rama is said to have returned on this day. We celebrate the victory of good over evil, darkness, and despair. Diwali is a celebration that is observed by people all across the world, not just in Canada and India. Throughout the year, many community groups and organisations celebrate Diwali. The event can be observed at home, in mandirs or neighbourhood temples, in community centres, or even online, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic!
What Do Canadians Do on Diwali?
Many Canadians refer to Diwali as the ‘Festival of Lights’ and celebrate it. It is a festival of joy celebrated by both Canadians and Indians in Canada. In Canada, it is a joyful holiday that receives a lot of media coverage and public interest. Each year, several associations, businesses, schools, and community organisations celebrate Diwali. Some companies host Diwali feasts for their employees, while some communities have carnivals or get-togethers with fireworks displays.
Diwali: A 5-day Festival
Diwali is a five-day festival which is celebrated by Hindu families across the world. Each day of this festival has an auspicious significance. So, let’s learn the relevance of these five days, collectively making the perfect time for starting a business.
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Day 1: Dhanteras
Dhanteras is the first of the five days in which people clean their homes, perform pooja, put lights on their balconies or entrances, and go shopping for crockery or kitchen equipment that is supposed to bring luck.
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Day 2: Chhoti Diwali, Kalichaudas
Choti Diwali, or Kalichauds, is the second of the five days people usually visit their friends or family and bring treats as gifts. Some people also mail greeting cards to family members who cannot meet in person. Rangolis will also be used to beautify the flooring in people’s homes.
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Day 3: Diwali, Lakshmi Puja
With visits to the elderly, prayers, fireworks, family feasts, and the day dedicated to Lakshmi worship, the third day of the festival is typically the busiest. In her honour, families will dress up and gather for prayer.
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Day 4: Annakut, Padwa, Govardhan Puja
The fourth day is Annakut, which is dedicated to honouring the union of a husband and wife. This day is also linked to the Gujarati New Year and Lord Krishna. Food grants will be made for Puja celebrations.
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Day 5: Bhaiya Dooj
The fifth and last day is devoted to respecting the sibling bond. In the past, brothers would visit their sisters and bring presents.
Amazing Diwali Celebrations in Canada
Apart from the fact that Canada is a country that accepts all cultures gracefully, it is also a place full of numerous Hindu or Indian families. Therefore, most of the cities in Canada celebrate Diwali in different ways at different locations. To celebrate Diwali Eve with your family and friends, plan your trip to the places.
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Diwali, Dinner, and Dance—Calgary
The D3 Fest stands for Diwali, Dinner, and Dance. It is a Canadian Diwali Festival hosted by the Punjabi Community Health Services of Calgary. This event is a complete fundraiser, as the ticket sales are used to assist the mental and social health services offered by PCHS. As the name says, the fest is wrapped around a live DJ and a dance floor. The D3 is a traditional Hindu festival with a contemporary touch of lights. Instead of quiet candlelit ceremonies, the fest displays radiant laser shows over the dancing flocks. To add to the fun, you can also participate in several fun activities such as silent auctions, raffles, buffets, etc.
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Annual Diwali Fair — Edmonton
The Annual Diwali Fest of Edmonton is a family-friendly festivity where people of all ages can connect with their legacy and learn more about Hindu tradition and Indian culture. Kids will relish the delights and fun shows like face painting booths, and teens will surely enjoy the Insta-friendly artistry of henna demonstrations. In addition to this, adults can always enjoy participating in a rangoli class. The fest is fun, including food and vendors throughout Canada with handmade diyas, jewellery, candles, sarees, clothing, and other homemade crafts. A note to add: don’t be upset if you don’t find anything on the first day because it is a multi-day festival and there is always a new thing on a new day.
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Diwali Downtown Surrey — Surrey, British Columbia
Free. Did I hear this right? Yes, everyone is welcome to attend Diwali Downtown Surrey, and the only expenses will be the price of the kaju katli you consume and the souvenirs you buy. You can also enjoy live music everywhere you go, and there will always be something artistic, creative, performing, or cultural that catches your eye—the “Rangoli Zone” and the family-friendly “Family Art Zone” bulge. Visit Surrey and have family-friendly fun if you’re looking for a way to celebrate Diwali with your loved ones!
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Diwali Festival — Moncton, New Brunswick
The Indo-Canada Association sponsors the Moncton Diwali Festival, and the fest welcomes everyone celebrating Diwali in the wider Moncton area. Food, drink, cultural festivities, and performances immerse you in the never-ending fun. The festival is worth attending for both children and adults. If you belong to South Asian ancestry, this may be your chance to reawaken your roots; if you’re just seeking to have fun, then this fest is the ideal occasion to eat delicious food, meet new friends, and discover more about one of the oldest celebrations in human history!
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Diwali Show—Brampton, Ontario
The Diwali Festival in Canada brings a range of joy throughout the country at different places. The Diwali Show, billed as the biggest Diwali event in the greater Toronto area, is a joyous festival that honours Hindu, Jain, and Sikh cultures from around the globe. Here, you can explore Pakistani clothes at one vendor and Indian puja at another! Moreover, you can select from various occasions, games, and pursuits, such as dance performances and door prize drawings. You can munch on your favourite holiday delicacies whenever you feel hungry. Simply range the kilometres of vendors’ colourful booths when you wish to burn down some energy. Since the Diwali Show is free to attend, you can use your money to reserve reasonable flights in October to enjoy your holiday or buy souvenirs to take home.
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Diwali Carnival – Festival of Lights — Halifax
The Halifax Diwali Carnival is a popular and vibrant event that can’t be covered in a day! It lasts three days and is jam-packed with fun events, including Bollywood dance parties and cultural exhibitions. To recall the actual meaning of Diwali, merchants are selling all types of handmade crafts, along with food trucks serving the best Indian cuisine. These crafts include lamps, diyas, candles, and beautiful lanterns. Apart from this, the fireworks are launched into the night sky for a colourful presentation to cap it all off. What else is necessary before you can start to explore affordable vacation packages in Nova Scotia?
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Diwali Razzmatazz in Mississauga
The Diwali Razzmatazz, a radiant celebration presented by the Indo-Canada Arts Council in Mississauga, brings the essence of Diwali to Canada with a delightful blend of entertainment, culture, and culinary delights. This joyous occasion, tailor-made for families, unfurls over the stage with many attractions: Bollywood sensations, captivating dance demonstrations, live musical concerts, a bustling Diwali bazaar, and thrilling kiddie rides. The anticipation of Diwali lucky draws, a myriad of sponsored prizes, and the irresistible aromas from food vendors further enliven the atmosphere, capturing the true essence of Diwali through an array of delectable dishes.
Hosted at the esteemed Mississauga Celebration Square since 2014, the Diwali RazzMatazz attracts an audience of over 50,000 annually. The Indo-Canada Arts Council, in its commitment to cultural exchange and promotion, offers a platform for more than 500 artists and performers to shine. Through collaborations with various institutions and organisations, the Council fosters connections among younger generations to their rich heritage, allowing them to showcase their talents. Moreover, DRZMZ also empowers the youth, granting them the unique opportunity to perform side-by-side with globally acclaimed artists, thus building their confidence and stage presence.
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Diwali Dhamaka
Dream Media Agency, in collaboration with Cocktail International Group Inc., presents Diwali Dhamaka 2023. This event is scheduled at the Capitol Banquet Centre in Mississauga on the 5th and 11th of November from 12 pm to 9 pm. Entrance to the event is complimentary. Attendees can look forward to a range of family-friendly activities such as face painting, dance performances, live music, henna application (a temporary body art using a natural dye from the henna tree), and Diwali-themed markets. In addition, there will be prize distributions for categories like the best dressed, alongside opportunities to participate in raffles.
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- Date: November 5 to November 11, 2023
- Time: 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
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North York Diwali Fest – Festival of Lights
Scheduled to unfold at Mel Lastman Square, this event promises a rich blend of cultural experiences for its attendees. Visitors can anticipate an array of food stalls offering authentic Indian cuisines, vibrant music performances that capture the essence of Diwali, and shopping fairs tailored for the festive season. A unique aspect of the fest is its arts and crafts workshops, where attendees can indulge their creativity by crafting their Diwali decorations. Additionally, the event will host a rangoli competition, allowing participants to showcase their artistic prowess in this traditional Indian art form. The best part? Entry to the North York Diwali Fest is entirely free, ensuring everyone can partake in the celebrations.
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- Date: November 11, Saturday
- Time: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
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Diwali in Vancouver
Vancouver, with its sizable Indian community, is a hotspot for Diwali celebrations. A cornerstone of these festivities is the renowned Diwali Fest. Organised annually by the Diwali Celebration Society, this fest orchestrates a series of events spanning Vancouver and Surrey. The offerings and ticket prices of these events differ. Marking its 20th milestone this year, the festival will embrace a “wedding theme” in its celebrations. The lineup for this year’s festivity includes:
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- Diwali in Coquitlam;
- Diwali Downtown Surrey; and
- Diwali Storytime (virtual event).
Furthermore, a distinct Diwali celebration exclusive to British Columbia is the annual boat festivities, leveraging the city’s coastal advantage. Vancouver Boat Parties orchestrate these maritime gatherings. For this year, the two special events scheduled are:
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- Diwali Fusion Bollywood Boat Party Vancouver (19+ event); and
- Diwali Boat Festival Vancouver.
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Diwali Celebrations in Montreal
Despite having a more modest Indian population than Vancouver and Toronto, Montreal also has a dedicated event. A noteworthy event is the Candle Making Workshop at the Pierrefonds Public Library. It’s not just about crafting; participants delve into the creation and symbolic placement of diyas, understanding their religious and cultural essence in Diwali.
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- Date: November 10, Friday
- Time: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
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Diwali RazzMatazz Niagara Falls
Attending Diwali RazzMatazz Niagara Falls in 2023 is an experience like no other. Set against the majestic backdrop of Niagara Falls on November 12 and 13, the event magnificently intertwines the natural wonder with our vibrant heritage. Revellers can expect an array of artistic and cultural performances that beautifully highlight our rich traditions, making it a truly memorable celebration in the heart of Canada.
Schedule
Although a detailed schedule will soon be released, an overview of the days’ timings is as follows:
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Nov 11, 2023 |
Nov 12, 2023 |
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Fest Timings: 2 pm – 8 pm Stage: 2 pm – 8 pm |
Cook-Off: 2 pm – 8 pm Set: 2 pm -8 pm |
Diwali 2023, 2024 and 2025
Diwali hits Canada between mid-October and mid-November, thanks to the lunar calendar. It’s all about the Festival of Lights here—lanterns, Hindu rituals, and a lot of sparkle. Think fireworks, oil lamps, and yummy sweets. With a growing buzz, businesses throw dinners, and streets light up. Canadian Hindu ladies? They’re rocking silk dresses, bling, and cool henna designs while digging into festive treats. A general overview of the dates for how Diwali looks like for the coming years is given below.
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Year |
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
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2023 |
November 12 |
Sun |
Diwali |
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2024 |
October 31 |
Thu |
Diwali |
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2025 |
October 21 |
Tue |
Diwali |
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2026 |
November 8 |
Sun |
Diwali |
In a Nutshell
Diwali celebrations in Canada are one of the most awaited times of the year, especially for immigrant Hindu families in Canada. Reconnecting with your roots away from your country is the most special emotion that Canada could offer you in the form of an open-hearted Diwali celebration. Although it is not a public holiday in the country, you can still enjoy the festival amidst the bright lights and fairs at the abovementioned venues.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
On a cold night in Canada, people celebrate Diwali by wishing their neighbours a warm welcome along with their families and a pack of sweets.
Diwali is a time when millions of Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali, which includes over 50,000 people in Canada.
Diwali is a Hindu religious festival celebrated by people in Canada, but it is not an official public holiday.
Yes, residents are allowed to burst short-range fireworks on private properties with a condition of four days a year, which includes Diwali as well. The Canadian government legally allows fireworks that only travel three metres (10 feet) or less.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is primarily celebrated by Hindus. Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists also observe it. The festival marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil and is most prevalent in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Diwali is most famously celebrated in India. It's also observed in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and among the Indian diaspora worldwide, especially in regions like the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
In Vancouver, Diwali is celebrated by the local Indian diaspora through community events, cultural programs, and gatherings. Popular venues include temples, community centres, and public spaces. The city often hosts Diwali-themed events and festivals, reflecting its multicultural essence. How is Diwali celebrated in Canada?
How many Canadians celebrate Diwali?
Is Diwali a working day in Canada?
Are crackers bursting on Diwali in Canada allowed?
Who celebrates Diwali the most?
Where is Diwali most famously celebrated?
Where is Diwali celebrated in Vancouver?
