Diwali 2025 will be on Monday, October 20 and Delhi will be a city of lights, devotion and festivity. Every nook and corner will be lit up with diyas and the air will be filled with excitement, sweets and firecrackers. If you are planning to spend Diwali in Delhi, get ready for a magical experience — from grand aartis to bustling markets and beautiful night views.
Here are the top 5 things to do in Delhi during Diwali 2025 to make your Diwali unforgettable.
Overview of Diwali
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the biggest and most celebrated festivals in India. The word “Deepavali” means “a row of lights,” and the festival is about light winning over darkness and good over evil.
People celebrate Diwali by lighting diyas (oil lamps), decorating homes, exchanging sweets and bursting firecrackers. It’s also a time to worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
The festival lasts for five days, with each day having its own significance:
- Dhanteras – Marks the beginning of Diwali; people buy gold, silver or utensils for good luck.
- Chhoti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) – Celebrated with small lights and decorations before the main day.
- Main Diwali Day (Lakshmi Puja) – The most important day to worship and light diyas.
- Govardhan Puja – Celebrates Lord Krishna’s protection of people from natural disasters.
- Bhai Dooj – Honors the bond between brothers and sisters.
Across India, Diwali brings families together, renews friendships and spreads happiness. Cities like Delhi, Jaipur and Varanasi are lit up with beautiful lights and festive markets, making it a great time for locals and tourists. Don’t miss our other post: How to Celebrate Diwali in India.
5 Best Things to Do During Diwali Festival
1. Attend Grand Aartis at Temples
What makes it special:
During Diwali, temples in Delhi are filled with devotional songs, flower decorations, and thousands of glowing diyas. The aartis (prayer ceremonies) permeate the air with beautiful, positive energy and serenity. Watching the aarti is one of the most spiritual and cultural experiences one can have.
Where to go:
- Akshardham Temple – Noteworthy for its beautiful light show and evening aarti.
- Birla Mandir (Laxminarayan Temple) – Known for its lovely lighting and festival decoration.
- ISKCON Temple, East of Kailash – A good place for bhajans and spirituality. Also, check out the best places to visit this Diwali season.
Tips for visitors:
- Try to arrive early to avoid the crowds.
- Dress traditionally and bring a scarf if you are planning to visit several temples.
- Please do not bring large bags and be advised security is very tight during the festivals.
2. Shop and Stroll in Delhi’s Famous Diwali Markets
What makes it special:
During Diwali, Delhi’s local markets are a shopper’s dream come true. The streets are filled with diyas, lanterns, sweets, and handmade decorations. The festive discounts also add excitement to shopping.
Where to go:
- Chandni Chowk – great to shop for traditional decor, diyas, and sweets.
- Sarojini Nagar & Lajpat Nagar – great for festive outfits and festive accessories.
- Dilli Haat – great for handmade crafts, lighting, and home decor.
Tips for visitors:
- Go in the morning or early evening to miss the worst of the crowds.
- Bring cash because smaller vendors may not accept cards.
- Try some local snacks while you are there aswell, such as jalebi or samosa.
3. Enjoy Diwali Lights at India Gate and Connaught Place
What makes it special:
Delhi feels magical during Diwali, especially near India Gate, Rajpath, and Connaught Place (CP). The entire place is exquisitely lit, and people visit to gather, eat street food, listen to music, and light diyas.
Where to go:
- India Gate – See thousands of candles and diyas lit in memory of loved ones.
- Connaught Place – A center of festive lights with shops and restaurant specials based on Diwali.
- Rashtrapati Bhavan area – Truly brilliant lights decorated on a magnificent building.
Tips for visitors:
- The best view of light performance is after sunset.
- Consider taking the metro or taxi, because parking around India Gate is limited.
- Bring a camera to record the skyline aglow.
4. Relish Delhi’s Diwali Food Festivals
What makes it special:
Food is the soul of Diwali and Delhi has it all – traditional sweets to gourmet feasts. Many restaurants and hotels host Diwali food festivals with festive thalis, desserts and fusion dishes.
Where to go:
- Paranthe Wali Gali (Chandni Chowk) – Try traditional snacks and sweets like jalebi, gujiya and kachori.
- ITC Maurya, Taj Palace and The Leela – Have a lavish Diwali buffet and desserts.
- Dilli Haat – Regional Indian food in a festive setting.
Tips for visitors:
- Book in advance at top restaurants.
- Don’t miss out on kaju katli, soan papdi and motichoor laddoo.
- Stay hydrated and avoid street food during peak hours.
Check out our Diwali food menu ideas packed with festive flavors, classic recipes, and modern twists on traditional dishes.
5. Take a Festive Night Tour of Delhi
What makes it special:
Delhi’s skyline is sparkling on Diwali night. Take a guided night tour and experience the city safely and comfortably. You can see lit up monuments, streets and fireworks in the sky.
Where to go:
- Qutub Minar – Peaceful at night.
- India Gate and Central Vista – A must see for light lovers.
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib – Calm and divine on Diwali night.
Tips for visitors:
- Hire a trusted cab or book a group night tour.
- Keep your valuables safe and stay in well lit areas.
- End your night with a cup of chai at a local stall near CP or India Gate.
Conclusion
Diwali in Delhi is not just a festival — it’s an experience full of light, laughter, and togetherness. From glowing markets to peaceful temples and yummy food, the city has it all.
Whether you are a tourist or a Delhiite, these 5 things to do in Delhi during Diwali 2025 will help you enjoy the festival like never before.
FAQs About Diwali 2025
In 2025, the main Diwali festival — also known as Lakshmi Puja — will be on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The reason for this is that the Amavasya tithi (new moon day) of Diwali starts in the afternoon of October 20 and goes on till the next day. Since the evening of October 20 is the auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja, most of India will celebrate Diwali on that day.
There is some confusion about this because the lunar calendar tithi overlaps two days. While Amavasya goes on till October 21, the best time for Lakshmi Puja is on October 20, 2025.
So, in most parts of India, Diwali will be on October 20, though a few places following different traditions may continue some rituals on October 21.
The Lakshmi Puja (muhurat) in 2025 will be in the evening between 7:20 PM to 8:30 PM as per your city’s local time.
This is the Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal when Goddess Lakshmi visits the homes. Do your puja during this time for maximum blessings.
October 20, 2025 is the main Diwali day when people do Lakshmi Puja, light diyas, decorate homes and burst firecrackers.
Amavasya tithi starts in the afternoon of this day so evening is perfect for Diwali rituals. Some places may call this day as Chhoti Diwali if their local calendar has Amavasya slightly later — but for most people October 20 is the day of celebration.
This year Diwali, (the festival of lights), celebrated on October 20, 2025. Diwali is among the most important festivals in India, representing the triumph of light over darkness and of good over evil.
It is a day when people throughout India and in many regions around the world celebrate with diyas, sweets, prayers, and happiness.
Diwali is celebrated all over India, and all over countries with Indian communities – for example, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA.
In India, nearly every state has a different way of celebrating it. The north of India (like Delhi) celebrates it as the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya (after Lord Rama rescued Sita from Ravana), while in the south, Diwali commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura.
The festival of Diwali helps to bring families, neighbors and communities together, as everyone celebrates the festival together and for the same reasons — to celebrate light and happiness.
Choti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, will be on Sunday, October 19, 2025 — a day before the main Diwali. It’s celebrated by lighting a few diyas, decorating homes and preparing sweets. Some regions may celebrate Choti Diwali on the morning of October 20 if their calendar is slightly different but most will celebrate it on October 19.
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