Diwali, the annual Festival of Lights, is a celebration that typically falls between October to November with plenty of events scheduled across the GTA. Here’s what you need to know about the annual festival, which is happening right now.
Dr. Golam Rabbani is a lecturer and expert focusing on cultural and creative industries and cross-cultural innovation. Rabbani says the word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means “row of lights.”
“The festival celebrates the new moon, which is around late October, early November, in the Gregorian calendar,” he told Now Toronto.
“The beginning of the new moon is usually when [we see] the highest amount of light, and that stays for five days. So, all those five days are celebrated as the day of Diwali,” he explained.
The festival, which originates in India, is often thought of as a uniquely Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated in Sikhism and Jainism. Rabbani explained there are many different ways the holiday is observed across the globe, including with lavish parties and fireworks, and by decorating with oil lamps called ‘diyas.’
“[India] is culturally very diverse, therefore provinces of India have major, mythical celebrations and their own history with Diwali. But it’s the celebration of the row of lights, and its main purpose is to keep evil out with the power of light.”
It is also celebrated in countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Guyana, among others, as well as by immigrant communities around the world, including here in the GTA.
RECONNECTING WITH CULTURE
Sarinilakna Perera, owner of Euphoria Entertainments, explained that for many people in the GTA from cultures who celebrate Diwali, but who are living away from their home countries, the Festival of Lights represents a moment to reconnect with their ancestry.
“Diwali is more than just a festival, it’s a connection to our roots,” Perera told Now Toronto. “For many young brown people growing up or living away from their home countries, Diwali represents a moment to reconnect with traditions we may have only experienced through stories or family memories.”
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“It’s a chance to light up our own lives with the same warmth, music, and food that remind us where we come from.”
She explained that as event curators, her company sees Diwali as a bridge between generations.
“It’s where modern South Asians get to express pride in their culture while making it their own,” she explained.
This includes blending Bollywood beats with contemporary vibes, dressing up in vibrant colours and luxurious clothing, and creating events catered to people who understand their unique mix of nostalgia and newness.
Perera says for many immigrants and children of immigrants, the community they form in the GTA becomes their chosen family, and cultural events are a way to keep their bond alive.
They remind us that we’re not alone in our experiences. Celebrating our culture through music, dance, and food gives us a sense of belonging and pride, especially in places where we might often feel “in between’ identities.”
“At Euphoria Entertainments, our goal is to create spaces where South Asians can come together, celebrate, and be unapologetically themselves,” Perera explained. “These events become more than just parties as they’re safe spaces to connect, to heal homesickness, and to celebrate how far our community has come.”
For her, the best part of Diwali is being with the people she loves.
“It’s that feeling when you’re surrounded by laughter, lights, and people who share your stories even if they come from different corners of South Asia,” she explained. “Whether it’s lighting diyas, dancing to classic hits, or sharing sweets, it’s the unity that makes Diwali truly special.”
She explained that the spirit of Diwali lies in bringing light to each other’s lives through community, connection, and celebration.
“Every event we host is our way of keeping that spark alive for those who may be far from home but still crave that sense of belonging.”
This, Rabbani says, is a huge part of the meaning of the festival.
“A lot of Indian philosophers and contemporary philosophers, music and songs, celebrate Diwali as a sense of unity, a sense of inclusion.”
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