California Becomes Third U.S. State to Make Diwali an Official Holiday

California has made history by officially declaring Diwali, the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” a statewide public holiday.

Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, the bill will take effect on January 1, 2026, allowing public schools and community colleges to close and giving state employees the option to take paid leave.

The law acknowledges that Diwali is celebrated not only by Hindus but also by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists — all of whom share the festival’s message.

With nearly one million Indian Americans living in California, this recognition is seen as a landmark moment for South Asian visibility and cultural inclusion.

Advocates, including the Hindu American Foundation and the Sikh Coalition, called it a step toward acknowledging the state’s diversity and the contributions of immigrant communities.

Diwali, which falls on October 20 this year, is celebrated with lamps, fireworks, family gatherings, and prayers. The move places California alongside Pennsylvania and Connecticut as the only U.S. states to grant Diwali official holiday status.