California has designated Diwali — popularly known as the “Festival of Lights” — as an official statewide holiday.
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, Assembly Bill 268, into law on Monday, which will go into effect in January 2026. First introduced by Democratic California State Assembly members Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel, it will authorize public schools and community colleges to close in observance of Diwali and also allow employees and students to take time off to recognize the holiday, according to the bill’s text.
Newsom’s office did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Kalra said in part of a Sept. 23 statement that Diwali being designated as an official state holiday in California “will uplift its message to the hundreds of thousands of Californians that celebrate and help introduce it to many throughout our diverse state.” Patel said in a statement the same day that “in these uncertain times, Diwali, known as the festival of lights, reminds us of the enduring triumph of light over darkness and offers a much-needed message of hope.”
The Coalition of Hindus of North America — a Hindu advocacy group — thanked Newsom for recognizing the religious festival in an X post on Tuesday, writing that the declaration is “ushering in a new era of inclusion for Hindus in California.” Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the oldest and one of the largest Hindu organizations in the nation, similarly praised California for declaring Diwali an official state holiday, writing in a Tuesday post to X that the move marks a “proud and historic milestone for Hindu Americans.”
“Diwali—the festival of light, knowledge, and renewal—speaks to values cherished by all communities,” VHPA wrote in the social media post. “Its inclusion in California’s official calendar reflects how these timeless ideals contribute to the state’s vibrant and diverse spirit.”
California is now the third state in the U.S. to recognize Diwali as a statewide holiday, following Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word “deepavali,” which means a “row of lights,” CNN reported. The dates of the annual festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, and typically fall sometime during late October or early November, according to PBS News.
Diwali is a major Hindu festival but is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, PBS News reported. The annual holiday is celebrated by roughly one billion people across the world, NPR reported in October 2024.
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