List of U.S. States Recognizing Diwali as an Official Holiday

Pennsylvania has become the first U.S. state to declare Diwali an official public holiday, under a bipartisan bill signed by Governor Josh Shapiro. As Diwali gains broader recognition, countries worldwide like Fiji, Singapore, and Trinidad and Tobago also honor it, celebrating the festival’s rich cultural and spiritual significance.

The bill to declare Diwali as an official state holiday in Pennsylvania was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate on October 9, 2024. Following this, it was signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro, marking a significant milestone for the recognition of the festival within the state. The new law designates Diwali to be observed annually on the 15th day of Kartik in the Hindu lunisolar calendar, with the first official celebration under this law occurring from October 31 to November 1, 2024. 

Pennsylvania is the sole state in the United States that has passed a resolution declaring Diwali a public holiday. This huge acknowledgment was enacted through bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, making Pennsylvania the first state to honor the Festival of Lights in this manner. The law designated Diwali to be observed on the 15th day of Kartik in the Hindu lunisolar calendar and took effect immediately.

Apart from Pennsylvania, New York City also took a step in recognition of Diwali. In 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that would make Diwali a school holiday for public schools in the city so that students who celebrate the festival can do so without missing school.

While these two states are the pioneers in this regard, there has been continuous lobbying for similar recognition of Diwali in other states and maybe even at the federal level. A bill has even been introduced in Congress that would make Diwali a federal holiday, hence further establishing its place across the country.

Other Nations Celebrating Diwali

Many countries worldwide celebrate Diwali as an important festival and mark it as a public holiday. Here are the most recent news on Diwali as a holiday in several foreign countries:

• Fiji: Diwali has been observed as a public holiday in Fiji since 1879. The festival is observed by communities across Fiji and not just by the Indo-Fijians; the cultural programs and other festivities are seen throughout the country.
• Malaysia: It is one of the public holidays in Malaysia, known as Hari Diwali. Traditional rites such as oil baths and visits to temples, houses, and other public places are bedecked in color.
• Mauritius: Diwali occurs as a public holiday in Mauritius owing to its large Hindu population. Lamps lit and houses decorated are part of the rich cultural heritage on this island.
• Nepal: Diwali in Nepal is called Tihar. It is celebrated on five days, even though it is not declared to be a national holiday because many rituals are performed wherein the gods and animals are being worshipped.
• Sri Lanka: Diwali is celebrated by Tamil-speaking communities in Sri Lanka; it is a public holiday, although in some sections. It is almost an event of India, only differing from the rituals carried on during the occasion by other community gatherings.
• Singapore: Diwali is also a public holiday in Singapore, in which the Indian community celebrates the day with street decorations that shine vibrantly and hold various cultural events, particularly in places like Little India.
• South Africa: There have been plans for it to be officially observed as a national holiday in South Africa because of the great importance it holds within the Indian diaspora. It is commonly celebrated through various cultural events.
• Trinidad and Tobago: Diwali is very much celebrated as a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago. People celebrate the festivities with cultural performances and community gatherings.

Though many nations celebrate with fervor, the effort to have this festival included as an officially recognized movement continues to rise, illustrating the significance Diwali holds for the Hindus around the world.