Diwali 2026 is Sunday, November 8 in the UK, the same date as in India. For working families that means no leave to book and no school run to work around.

The five-day schedule for UK families

Here’s the full breakdown:

  • November 6 (Friday): Dhanteras. Buy gold, silver, or utensils in the evening. Many Indian jewellers in the UK run Dhanteras sales.
  • November 7 (Saturday): Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdashi. Oil bath before sunrise. Light a few diyas in the evening.
  • November 8 (Sunday): Diwali / Lakshmi Puja. The main event. Puja during Pradosh Kaal (around sunset), followed by fireworks and sweets.
  • November 9 (Monday): Govardhan Puja / Annakut. Prepare 56 dishes (chhappan bhog) if your family follows this tradition, or at least a larger-than-usual thaali.
  • November 10 (Tuesday): Bhai Dooj. Sisters apply tilak to brothers.

Getting the puja timing right

The Lakshmi Puja muhurat is traditionally observed during Pradosh Kaal, the period around sunset. By early November, UK sunset happens noticeably earlier than in India, so the local Pradosh Kaal window falls at a different clock hour than an India-based published time.

To put real numbers on it (Drik Panchang): sunset in London on November 8 is 4:22 PM GMT, against 5:31 PM IST in New Delhi. The Lakshmi Puja muhurat on November 8 is 4:35 PM to 6:12 PM in London, 4:34 PM to 6:10 PM in Leicester and 4:38 PM to 6:14 PM in Birmingham. New Delhi’s is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM IST, so following an India-published clock time would put your puja after your own window has closed.

A UK-specific consideration

Early November in the UK is close to the shift from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time (the clocks typically go back in late October), so sunset times shift earlier in the days around Diwali. In 2026, clocks go back on October 25, so by November 8 you’re already on GMT. Confirm the exact time for November 8 in your specific UK city rather than assuming last year’s clock time.

Practical tips for Diwali in the UK

If you’re planning fireworks at home, UK law bans setting them off between 11 PM and 7 AM, but Diwali night is one of the exceptions: the cut-off moves to 1 AM. Bonfire Night (November 5, cut-off midnight) falls three days before Diwali this year. Check your local council for any extra rules.

For diyas and rangoli supplies, most Indian stores in Leicester, Southall, Wembley, and Rusholme stock up from mid-October. If you’re in a smaller city, ordering online by late October gives you a comfortable margin.

Check your city’s timing

Use the muhurat page with your UK city selected to see that day’s sunset, Rahu Kaal and Abhijit Muhurat, and plan Lakshmi Puja within the favorable window.