Festival guide
What each festival is, when it usually falls, and where Long Island celebrates it. Exact dates and local programs appear only when the organizer has published them.
Festival of lights, observed by Hindus, Sikhs (as Bandi Chhor Divas) and Jains. Five days of lamps, Lakshmi puja, sweets and family visits.
When: In 2026 Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8; in 2027 on Friday, October 29. (timeanddate.com)
Locally: On Long Island: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville lists Diwali and Chopda Pujan on Nov 8, 2026 and Annakut Darshan on Nov 10. (baps.org)
Nine nights honoring the Goddess, with garba and dandiya raas, followed by Dussehra. Bengali families mark Durga Puja in the same season.
When: Follows the lunar calendar, usually in September or October.
Locally: Long Island garba nights are often held in school gyms, halls and temple grounds. Organizers: submit yours.
Ten days for Lord Ganesha, ending with the visarjan (immersion).
When: Usually late August or September.
Locally: In 2026, Indo American Community Voice held its 4th Ganesh Mahotsav in Hicksville on Sept 18–20 at the Broadway Mall parking lot, as reported by The South Asian Times. (The South Asian Times)
A celebration of Indian Independence Day (August 15) with floats, music and flags on South Broadway.
When: Held in August.
Locally: The 16th annual parade marched on Sunday, Aug 23, 2026, as reported by the Long Island Press. (Long Island Press)
The spring festival of colors, bonfires the night before, and gulal the next day.
When: Follows the lunar calendar, usually in March.
Locally: Community Holi events are posted here as organizers announce them.
Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan; Eid al-Adha follows the Hajj. Prayers, new clothes, family meals and charity.
When: Both move about 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar; dates depend on the moon.
Locally: Masjids and associations: submit Eid prayer times and gatherings.
Harvest festival and the founding of the Khalsa, marked at gurdwaras with kirtan, langar and Nagar Kirtan processions.
When: Usually April 13 or 14.
Locally: Gurdwaras: submit your Vaisakhi program and Nagar Kirtan route.
Regional new years from Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and beyond, celebrated with food, music and new clothes.
When: Mostly mid-April.
Locally: Associations: tell us about your celebration.
Phagwah (Holi) and Diwali are celebrated by Guyanese and Trinidadian families, with chowtal singing and mandir programs.
When: Phagwah usually falls in March.
Locally: The biggest celebrations are in Richmond Hill, Queens, next door.
Garba nights, temple festivals, new restaurants and wedding-season finds across Long Island, in one short weekly note.
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