Diwali in Abu Dhabi falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, and the capital does the Festival of Lights its own way: a sunrise-to-sunset buzz at the BAPS Hindu Mandir, office desks quietly disappearing under boxes of kaju katli and Madinat Zayed’s gold shops working overtime on Dhanteras. Here is everything you need to plan the week, whether you have celebrated since childhood or just got your first “Happy Diwali” WhatsApp from a colleague.
When is Diwali 2026 in Abu Dhabi?
Diwali 2026 in the UAE is on Sunday 8 November, with Lakshmi Puja in the early evening (the published UAE muhurat is roughly 5.58pm to 7.56pm). The festival runs over five days, starting with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and ending with Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. Diwali is not a public holiday in the UAE, so most celebrations happen after work and over the weekend.
| Day | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Fri 6 Nov | Gold, silver, and new utensils are bought |
| Choti Diwali | Sat 7 Nov | Homes cleaned, rangoli drawn, first diyas lit |
| Diwali and Lakshmi Puja | Sun 8 Nov | Evening puja, diyas, sweets and family dinners |
| Govardhan Puja | Mon 9 Nov | Annakut food offerings at temples |
| Bhai Dooj | Tue 10 Nov | Siblings exchange gifts and blessings |
The five days of Diwali 2026 (UAE dates)
If you caught the garba season last month, our Navratri in Abu Dhabi guide was the warm-up act. Diwali is the main event.
Visiting the BAPS Hindu Mandir for Diwali
The BAPS Hindu Mandir is the heart of Diwali in Abu Dhabi, and on festival days it draws crowds from across the Emirates. The hand-carved pink sandstone temple sits off the Abu Dhabi to Dubai highway at Abu Mureikhah, so budget around 45 to 60 minutes from the city depending on traffic. Entry is free, but nobody gets in without a booking.
- Registration is mandatory. Book a date and time slot at mandir.ae/visit or on the Mandir Abu Dhabi app. There is no walk-up counter.
- Bring physical ID. Your original Emirates ID or passport, plus the QR confirmation. Digital copies are not accepted at security.
- Leave the bag in the car. Food (including prasad you bring yourself), bags and belongings are not allowed inside, and there is an airport-style security check.
- Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees covered, nothing sheer or skin-tight. Sarongs are available at the front desk if you get it wrong.
- Usual hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 8pm, closed Mondays. Hours change around festivals, so check the site before you set off.
- Parking is free in the dedicated visitor car park beside the complex.
The 2026 programme is out, and it runs over five days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj. The big news for weekday visitors: the mandir opens on Monday 9 November, normally its day off, so the Annakut gets three full days of darshan.
BAPS Hindu Mandir Diwali 2026 schedule
| Date | Time | What’s on |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 6 Nov | 8.30pm | Dhanteras Pujan (webcast – watch from home) |
| Sat 7 Nov | 5pm onwards | Cultural performances |
| Sat 7 Nov | 5pm to 8pm, hourly | Ganga Aarti at Swaminarayan Ghat |
| Sat 7 Nov | 6.30pm | Hanuman Puja |
| Sun 8 Nov | 9am to 8pm | Maha Annakut Darshan |
| Sun 8 Nov | 10am to 4pm, hourly | Aarti at the mandir |
| Sun 8 Nov | 5pm to 8pm, hourly | Ganga Aarti at Swaminarayan Ghat |
| Sun 8 Nov | 6.30pm | Diwali Puja (Chopda Pujan) |
| Mon 9 Nov | 9am to 8pm | Maha Annakut Darshan |
| Tue 10 Nov | 9am to 8pm | Maha Annakut Darshan |
Maha Annakut is the showstopper: hundreds of vegetarian dishes laid out before the deities to welcome the Hindu New Year. Sunday is the full-house day, with darshan, aarti and the Diwali Puja all on one date, so if you want room to actually look at the spread, Monday or Tuesday is the smarter play. Chopda Pujan on Diwali night is the traditional blessing of new account books, which is why you will spot plenty of the capital’s business families there. Timings come from the mandir’s official festival posters and can shift, so check mandir.ae or the Mandir Abu Dhabi app before you drive out. You can also find it on our Diwali at BAPS Hindu Mandir event listing.
BAPS Hindu Mandir – Plot P6, Al Taf Road (E16), Abu Mureikhah, Abu Dhabi. Contact: +971 2 556 1982 or mandir.ae/visit.
💡 WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Festival-day slots go fast, and the Diwali Puja and Annakut registrations do not count as a visit booking. Book both separately now, and aim for a morning slot if you want to see the carvings without shuffling shoulder to shoulder.
Bringing parents over from India for the festival? The mandir tops our list of things to do in Abu Dhabi with parents, and it pairs beautifully with the rest of our cultural things to do in Abu Dhabi.
Where to book a Diwali dinner in Abu Dhabi
Plenty of families cook at home on Diwali night, but the weekend either side is prime time for a festive Indian feast out. These are the kitchens we would book for a big family table. Most run special Diwali menus or thalis in festival week, so ask when you reserve. For the full line-up, see our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
For a dressed-up celebration
- Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi – refined regional Indian, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road. Reservations: +971 2 690 7999.
- Punjab Grill – rich North Indian, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Al Maqta. Reservations: +971 50 668 3054.
- Namak – modern Indian, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Muroor Road, Al Nahyan. Reservations: +971 2 698 8137.
- Ushna – classic Indian with creek views, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Khor Al Maqta. Reservations: +971 2 559 9747.
For a relaxed family feast
- Asha’s – Indian home-style favourites, Level G, The Galleria Al Maryah Island (also Yas Mall). Reservations: +971 2 492 6833 (Galleria) or +971 2 492 6680 (Yas Mall).
- Pincode by Kunal Kapur – playful Indian comfort food, Level 3, The Galleria Al Maryah Island. Reservations: +971 2 234 0111.
- Indigo – North Indian, Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah next to Abu Dhabi Mall. Reservations: +971 2 697 9186.
- Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant – South Indian vegetarian, Salam Street, Al Zahiyah. Contact: +971 2 676 3519. Handy for anyone keeping the festival meal fully vegetarian.
Where to buy Diwali sweets, diyas and gold in Abu Dhabi
Mithai and namkeen
A box of sweets is the currency of Diwali. You bring one to every house you visit, and the office will expect one too.
- Bikanervala – kaju katli, soan papdi, gift boxes and namkeen, East Bin Hamila Building 2, Airport Road, Al Danah. Contact: +971 2 631 0029.
- Chaat Junction – sweets plus chaat for the shopping-trip snack, near the vegetable market, Madinat Zayed, Al Danah. Contact: +971 2 441 1916.
💡 WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Order your mithai boxes by Wednesday 4 November. With Dhanteras on Friday and Diwali on Sunday, the whole festival weekend lands on the busiest shopping days, and the popular sweet counters turn into a queue with a cash till at the end.
Diyas, rangoli colours and decorations
The big hypermarkets set up festive aisles with clay diyas, rangoli powder, torans, LED lights and puja essentials in the weeks before Diwali. LuLu Hypermarket at Al Wahda Mall (Hazza Bin Zayed The First Street, Al Wahda; contact: +971 2 443 7500, luluhypermarket.com) is one of the easiest one-stop shops in the city centre. The small stores around Madinat Zayed and Hamdan Street are good for the extras, from marigold garlands to fabrics for a last-minute outfit.
Dhanteras gold
Buying gold on Dhanteras (Friday 6 November) is believed to bring luck for the year ahead. Madinat Zayed Shopping and Gold Centre (Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, Al Danah) has more than 70 jewellers under one roof and stays open until midnight on Fridays and weekends. Contact: +971 2 633 3311.
💡 WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Gold prices change through the day, so compare the rate per gram and the making charge separately before you commit. Many jewellers run pre-booking schemes in the run-up to Dhanteras that lock in a rate, which takes the sting out of a price jump on the day.
Fireworks, sparklers and lights at home
This is where Diwali in Abu Dhabi differs from Diwali back home. Setting off your own fireworks is illegal in the UAE without a licence, and that includes the balcony sparkler. Celebrate with diyas, fairy lights and rangoli instead, and if you light real flames, keep them away from curtains and keep the kids’ sleeves in check. Many villa and apartment communities host their own Diwali evenings with lights and food stalls, so check your building or community WhatsApp group.
Diwali basics for non-Indian expats
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and for many families it also marks the start of a new financial year. For Hindus it centres on welcoming Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, while Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists mark the same period with festivals of their own. If you have Indian colleagues, neighbours or friends, here is how to join in without overthinking it.
- What to say: “Happy Diwali” works everywhere. “Shubh Deepavali” earns bonus points.
- What to bring if you are invited home: a box of sweets, dry fruits or chocolates. Skip alcohol unless you know the host well.
- What to wear: something bright. Indian outfits are welcome on anyone, and black is best avoided at puja time.
- Shoes off at the door, especially near the home shrine.
- At work: expect mithai on every desk on Thursday 5 November. Returning the favour with your own box is always appreciated.
Looking for more festive-season ideas for the kids? Our best family activities in Abu Dhabi covers every age, and for the mandir drive and beyond, our getting around Abu Dhabi guide covers taxis, buses and the train.
Details checked on 31 October 2026. Festival timings, menus and prices can change, so confirm with each venue before you go.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali 2026 in Abu Dhabi?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November in the UAE, with Lakshmi Puja in the early evening. The five-day festival starts with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and ends with Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November.
Is Diwali a public holiday in the UAE?
No. Diwali is not an official public holiday in the UAE, so schools and offices stay open unless your employer gives the day off. This year Diwali itself lands on a Sunday, which makes the main celebration easier for most families.
Do I need to register to visit the BAPS Hindu Mandir on Diwali?
Yes. Registration is mandatory for every visitor at mandir.ae/visit or on the Mandir Abu Dhabi app, and festival events such as the Diwali Puja need a separate registration. Bring your original Emirates ID or passport, and leave bags and food in the car.
What are the BAPS Hindu Mandir Diwali 2026 timings?
Celebrations run from 6 to 10 November 2026. Dhanteras Pujan is webcast at 8.30pm on Friday 6 November, the Hanuman Puja is at 6.30pm on Saturday 7 November and the Diwali Puja (Chopda Pujan) is at 6.30pm on Sunday 8 November. Maha Annakut Darshan is open from 9am to 8pm on 8, 9 and 10 November, and Ganga Aarti runs hourly from 5pm to 8pm on the Saturday and Sunday.
What should I wear to the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops and sheer or tight clothing are not allowed, though sarongs are available at the front desk.
Can you set off fireworks for Diwali in Abu Dhabi?
No. Using fireworks without a licence is illegal in the UAE, including sparklers on balconies. Celebrate with diyas, fairy lights and rangoli instead.
Where can I buy Diwali sweets in Abu Dhabi?
Bikanervala on Airport Road and the sweet shops around Madinat Zayed are reliable for mithai boxes and namkeen. Order a few days ahead, because the Dhanteras to Diwali weekend is the busiest time of the year.
Where is the best place to buy gold on Dhanteras in Abu Dhabi?
Madinat Zayed Shopping and Gold Centre in Al Danah has more than 70 jewellers in one place and opens until midnight on Fridays. Compare the gold rate and the making charge separately before you buy.
