Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is a colourful celebration filled with lights, decorations, delicious food and family gatherings.
Celebrated by millions of people around the world, including Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities, Diwali traditions and their meanings vary between religions, regions and families.
In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November. Celebrations often take place over several days, with festivals and community events held in the weeks leading up to Diwali.
A central theme of Diwali is the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes are decorated with diyas (small oil lamps), colourful rangoli designs brighten entrances and families come together to share food, sweets and gifts.
Diwali is a great opportunity to introduce kids to different cultures and traditions. Whether you attend a local Diwali festival, try some Indian sweets or get creative at home, here are 10 fun ways to celebrate Diwali with kids.
Attend a Diwali Festival
Experience the colour, music, food and festivities of Diwali at a community celebration.
Newcastle
Head to UNIPAC Mega Diwali 2026 at Foreshore Park in Newcastle on Saturday 31 October from 2pm to 10pm. This free Festival of Lights celebration brings the community together for an afternoon and evening of entertainment, food and festivities.
There’ll be cultural performances, music, food stalls and family entertainment, followed by a spectacular drone show and fireworks as darkness falls.
When: Saturday 31 October 2026, 2pm–10pm
Where: Foreshore Park, Newcastle East
Cost: Free
Reserve your spot
Sydney
Fancy a trip to Sydney? There are a number of Diwali celebrations happening across the city.
Diwali – Little India, Harris Park will take over Wigram Street on Saturday 24 October from 1pm to 9pm. Enjoy Indian and South Asian food, live entertainment, music, market stalls and plenty of colour in the heart of Sydney’s Little India. Find out more about this event.
Diwali Mela Parramatta will be held at Prince Alfred Square on Sunday 1 November from 12pm to 8:30pm. This free family festival features cultural performances, dance shows, Indian food and market stalls. Find out more about this event.
Deepavali – Festival of Lights– On Diwali itself, Sunday 8 November, families can attend the Deepavali – Festival of Lights celebration at Chinmaya Sannidhi in Castle Hill from 6pm to 8pm. The evening includes family activities, Diwali trivia and festive celebrations. Find out more about this event.
There’s also a Diwali Celebration organised by City of Ryde at Top Ryde City Shopping Centre on Friday 13 November from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, featuring classical and Bollywood dance, folk performances, music and hands-on cultural activities. Find out more about this event.
Make Diyas at Home
Diyas are small oil lamps traditionally lit during Diwali and are one of the most recognisable symbols of the Festival of Lights.
Make your own using air-dry clay or pick up some simple terracotta diyas from an Indian grocery store and let the kids decorate them with colourful paint, sequins or metallic pens.
For younger kids, pop a battery-operated tea light inside instead of using oil and a flame. Line your finished diyas along a windowsill or table for a colourful Diwali display.
Create a Rangoli Design
Add some colour to your Diwali celebrations by making a rangoli.
Rangoli are decorative patterns traditionally created on the ground or near the entrance to a home. They can be made using coloured powders, rice, sand or flower petals.
For an easy kid-friendly version, grab some coloured chalk and create a giant rangoli on your driveway. You could also use coloured rice, flower petals or simply draw and colour a design on paper.
Let the kids come up with their own patterns. They don’t have to be perfect!
Try Some Diwali Sweets
Diwali is a great excuse to try something sweet! Mithai, or Indian sweets, are often shared with family and friends during Diwali. There are lots of different varieties to discover including ladoo, barfi and jalebi.
Visit an Indian grocery store or sweet shop and choose a few different sweets for a family taste test. Cut them into smaller pieces so everyone can sample a few and decide which one is their favourite.
If you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, have a go at making a simple Diwali sweet such as coconut ladoo with the kids.
Learn a Diwali Greeting
Teach the kids how to wish someone a Happy Diwali. “Shubh Diwali” is a common Hindi greeting meaning “Happy Diwali” or “Auspicious Diwali”.
Practise saying it together and then make a colourful Diwali card or banner featuring the greeting. Decorate it with drawings of diyas, flowers, stars and rangoli patterns and display it at home or give it to someone who celebrates Diwali.
Enjoy an Indian Feast
Food is a big part of Diwali celebrations, so why not head out for an Indian meal with the family?
There are plenty of Indian restaurants around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland. Try The Ark in Wickham, Raj’s Corner on Darby Street, Sapphire Indian Restaurant on Glebe Road in Merewether, Royal Indian Restobar in Newcastle West, Bay of India in Warners Bay or Namaste Indian at Stockland Green Hills.
Order a few dishes to share and let the kids try something new. If they’re not used to spicy food, start with milder favourites such as butter chicken, tandoori chicken, naan, rice or samosas.
Or stay home and cook an Indian-inspired feast together. Kids can help roll dough, shape naan or set the table for your Diwali meal.
Discover the Stories Behind Diwali
There are many stories and traditions associated with Diwali, depending on religion and region.
One of the best known is the Hindu story of Lord Rama and Sita returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and Rama’s defeat of the demon king Ravana. According to tradition, rows of lamps were lit to welcome them home.
Find an age-appropriate retelling of the Ramayana to read together or look for a children’s book about Diwali at your local library.
It’s a great way for kids to discover some of the meaning behind the lights, decorations and celebrations they see during Diwali.
Have a Bollywood Dance Party
Turn up the music and get everyone moving! Put together a family-friendly Bollywood playlist, clear some space in the lounge room and have your own dance party. You can find plenty of playlists on Spotify or Apple Music.
For something different, find a beginner Bollywood dance tutorial online and see if the whole family can learn a simple routine. You don’t need to get the moves right. The idea is simply to have some fun!
Dress Up for Diwali
Diwali is a special occasion and many families celebrate by wearing beautiful new clothes or traditional Indian outfits.
Depending on family and regional traditions, you might see colourful saris, lehengas, kurtas and other outfits at Diwali celebrations.
If you’re heading to a Diwali festival, encourage kids to notice the beautiful colours, fabrics, embroidery and jewellery.
At home, you could look up traditional clothing from different regions of India and discover just how varied the styles can be.
Give Back to Others
Diwali is also associated with generosity, sharing and spending time with family and community.
Get the kids involved in doing something kind for someone else. It could be donating food to a local food charity, giving away toys or clothes they’ve outgrown, helping a neighbour or making a small treat for a friend.
It doesn’t need to be a big gesture. It’s a simple way to finish your Diwali celebrations by sharing a little happiness with someone else.
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