Festival of lights
Diwali in South Africa 2026
Diwali 2026: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Diwali 2026 in South Africa is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The sun sets at 6:23 pm in Durban. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening after sunset, in the pradosh period β roughly the first two and a half hours after it; the lamps are lit as it gets dark. 1 Diwali event is listed below, in Durban.
The biggest night of the Indian year: lamps, sweets, new clothes and fireworks. Abroad it is celebrated over the surrounding weekends, with one large public event in most big cities. Every Diwali event posted in South Africa is below, grouped by city.
Sunset on Diwali 2026 in South Africa
Sunday, 8 November 2026 Β· local time, worked out for each city centre
| City | Sunset |
|---|---|
| Durban | 6:23 pm |
Diwali 2026 dates
Friday, 6 November
Dhanteras
Saturday, 7 November
Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)
Sunday, 8 November
Diwali β Lakshmi Puja
Monday, 9 November
Govardhan Puja and Annakut
Tuesday, 10 November
Bhai Dooj
Diwali events in South Africa1 listed
New Indian events near South Africa, by email
Once a week, and only when something new is on within 10 km of where you live β garba nights, Diwali melas, meetups, concerts. Free, and one click switches it off.
Diwali is better with people near you
The Namaste Community app finds everything around you in South Africa and in every other country β free.
- Groups near youJoin the Indian community groups in your city β chat, plans and people who get it.
- Events near youEvery Diwali mela, festival and meetup, ranked by distance, with RSVP and reminders.
- Buy and sellSarees, kurtas, furniture, kitchen things β from people a few streets away.
- Rent near youRooms and flats from the community, with the person behind the listing one tap away.
What Diwali is
The biggest night of the Indian year: lamps, sweets, new clothes and fireworks. Abroad it is celebrated over the surrounding weekends, with one large public event in most big cities.
Diwali marks the return of Rama to Ayodhya and the victory of light over darkness; for many families it is also the day of Lakshmi Puja and the start of a new business year. Homes are cleaned and lit with diyas, sweets are exchanged, and the evening ends with fireworks.
If it is your first one in South Africa
- Book restaurant tables two weeks ahead β the Diwali weekend fills every Indian restaurant in town.
- Check local fireworks rules before buying any; most European towns restrict them to New Year.
- Sweets (mithai) can be ordered from Indian grocers a week ahead; many deliver nationwide.
- The big city events sell tickets in advance and sell out; children under a certain age are usually free.
Questions people ask
- When is Diwali 2026 in South Africa?
- Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. It is not a public holiday in South Africa, so the community celebrates on the weekends around it β 1 event is listed on this page, each with its own date.
- What time is sunset on Diwali 2026 in South Africa?
- On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the sun sets at 6:23 pm in Durban. The times are worked out for each city centre with a flat horizon, as every published table gives them; behind buildings or hills it appears a few minutes later. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening after sunset, in the pradosh period β roughly the first two and a half hours after it; the lamps are lit as it gets dark.
- Where can I celebrate Diwali in South Africa?
- Community Diwali events in South Africa are listed on this page as organisers post them. This yearβs listings so far are in Durban.
- Can non-Indians go to Diwali events in South Africa?
- Yes. Almost every community event is open to everyone and runs in English; temple and gurdwara celebrations welcome visitors too β dress modestly, and cover your head in a gurdwara.
Organising something?
Post it from the app under Events, wherever you are. It is free, a moderator checks it, and it appears here and to every member nearby. Running several a year? Email hello@namaste.community for a listing invite.