By Bilal Ansari, Event Specialist at Catering Service Dubai.
Diwali is the festival of lights. It celebrates the win of light over darkness and good over evil. For many families in Dubai, it is also the one time of year that feels most like home.
You do not need a big house or a long list of rituals to celebrate well. A clean home, a few diyas, a simple puja and good food with family are enough. This guide shows you how to do it, step by step, in a Dubai home or apartment.
When Is Diwali 2026?
The main day of Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. It falls on the UAE weekend, so most families can celebrate on the day itself.
Diwali is a five-day festival. Here is the 2026 calendar:
| Day | Festival | Date | What families do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhanteras | Fri, 6 Nov | Buy gold, silver or new utensils; light the first diya |
| 2 | Choti Diwali | Sat, 7 Nov | Finish cleaning, make rangoli, light diyas at the door |
| 3 | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sun, 8 Nov | Evening puja, lights, sweets and family dinner |
| 4 | Govardhan Puja | Mon, 9 Nov | Annakut offering of many dishes; Gujarati New Year |
| 5 | Bhai Dooj | Tue, 10 Nov | Sisters pray for brothers; brothers give gifts |
Some communities follow a slightly different calendar. Check the exact puja timing (muhurat) with your family priest or temple.
Step 1: Clean and Declutter Your Home
Diwali starts with a clean home. Families believe Goddess Lakshmi visits clean, bright homes first.
Start a week before Dhanteras. Clear one room a day so it does not feel heavy. Give away clothes and toys you no longer use. Wash curtains, wipe windows and clean the entrance well, because that is where guests and blessings arrive.
Step 2: Make a Rangoli at the Entrance
A rangoli is a colourful pattern made at the door to welcome guests. Most families make it on Choti Diwali or on the morning of Diwali.
- Easy option: use a ready stencil and coloured powder from shops in Karama, Meena Bazaar or online stores.
- No-mess option: use flower petals, rice tinted with food colour or rangoli stickers. These work well on apartment floors.
- Kids’ option: let children colour a paper rangoli and stick it on the door.
Keep it small if your corridor is shared, and clean it up after the festival.
Step 3: Light Up Your Home with Diyas and Lights
Lights are the heart of Diwali. Place diyas at the main door, in the puja corner and near windows.
In Dubai apartments, safety comes first. Many buildings do not allow open flames on balconies or in corridors. Use LED diyas and candles in these areas, and keep real clay diyas for the puja spot only. Never leave a lit diya near curtains or with small children.
Add warm fairy lights, marigold garlands (genda phool) and a toran above the door. Together, they make even a small flat glow.
Step 4: Do a Simple Lakshmi Puja at Home
Lakshmi Puja is done on the evening of Diwali. Families pray to Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and to Lord Ganesha for a good start. Every family has its own way, so follow your elders. This simple version works for most homes.
What you need: a small table with a red or yellow cloth, idols or pictures of Lakshmi and Ganesha, a kalash (pot) with water, diyas, incense, flowers, rice, kumkum, coins and sweets for the offering.
- Clean the puja corner and place the table facing east or north.
- Set Ganesha on the left and Lakshmi on the right.
- Light the main diya and the incense.
- Offer flowers, rice, kumkum and coins while saying a short prayer.
- Place sweets in front of the idols as bhog.
- Sing the aarti together as a family.
- Share the prasad, then light diyas across the home.
If you would like to join a community puja, the Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali holds Diwali prayers each year. Expect long queues, so go early.
Step 5: Prepare Festive Food and Sweets
Food brings the family together on Diwali. Most homes keep the day vegetarian. Many also make a few dishes before Diwali so the main day stays relaxed.
Snacks (often made a few days ahead): chakli, namak pare, shakarpare, chivda and mathri. Store them in airtight jars for guests who drop in.
Diwali dinner: puri or naan, chole, paneer butter masala, dal makhani, a dry sabzi, jeera rice or veg biryani, raita and papad.
Sweets (mithai): gulab jamun, kaju katli, besan ladoo, rasmalai and jalebi. Plan at least 3–4 pieces per person, plus extra boxes for neighbours.
Cooking for a big family takes hours, and Diwali day is already full. Many Dubai families now order part of the meal so they can spend more time on the puja and with guests. Our home catering in Dubai team can deliver a full vegetarian thali menu or just the sweets through our dessert catering service. For more menu inspiration, see our Diwali party food ideas.
Step 6: Share Gifts and Sweet Boxes
Giving gifts is a big part of Diwali. It is a simple way to say thank you and stay close.
- Mithai or dry fruit boxes for neighbours, friends and colleagues
- Small gifts for building staff, drivers and helpers
- Clothes or cash (shagun) for children in the family
- Handmade diyas or candles as eco-friendly gifts
In multicultural Dubai, Diwali is a lovely chance to share sweets with neighbours of every faith.
Can You Burst Crackers at Home in Dubai?
No. Private fireworks and firecrackers are illegal in the UAE, at home or in public. Instead, enjoy the official Diwali fireworks shows. In recent years, Dubai has held them at Al Seef and Global Village. Check the Dubai Festivals and Global Village pages for the 2026 dates closer to Diwali. (source)
Fun Diwali Activities for Kids at Home
Children remember Diwali through what they do, not just what they eat. Keep them busy with:
- Painting plain clay diyas with bright colours
- Making paper lanterns (kandils) for the windows
- Helping with the rangoli
- Listening to the story of Lord Rama coming home to Ayodhya
- Packing sweet boxes for neighbours
These simple tasks teach them what the festival means while keeping screens away.
Inviting Friends and Family Over?
Diwali evenings often turn into open houses, with friends dropping in after the puja. If you expect more than 15 guests, plan a little more carefully: fix the guest list, set a budget and decide between a buffet and a live station.
Our guide on how to plan a Diwali party in Dubai walks you through each step with a countdown checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you celebrate Diwali at home?
Clean and decorate your home, make a rangoli at the door and light diyas. On the evening of Diwali, do Lakshmi Puja with your family, then share sweets, a festive dinner and gifts.
What is the right time for Lakshmi Puja in Dubai?
Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening of 8 November 2026, after sunset. The exact muhurat changes by city, so confirm the Dubai timing with your temple or family priest.
Can I light real diyas in my Dubai apartment?
You can light a few in your puja corner if you are careful. On balconies and in shared corridors, use LED diyas, as many buildings do not allow open flames.
What food is made at home on Diwali?
Popular dishes include puri, chole, paneer curry, dal and rice, with snacks like chakli and chivda. Sweets such as kaju katli, gulab jamun and ladoo are a must.
Is Diwali a public holiday in the UAE?
No, Diwali is not an official public holiday in the UAE. In 2026, the main day falls on a Sunday, so most people can celebrate without taking leave.
Make This Diwali Bright and Easy
Celebrating Diwali at home is about light, family and sharing. Clean your space, light your diyas, pray together and enjoy good food without rushing.
If you want to spend less time in the kitchen this year, let us help. Explore our Diwali catering in Dubai menus, from vegetarian thalis to mithai boxes, or browse our wider Indian catering options. Message us on WhatsApp to get a custom quote within 24 hours.
Happy Diwali from all of us at Catering Service Dubai!
