California Officially Recognizes Diwali as a State Holiday, Joining Pennsylvania and Other States
California joins Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Texas in recognizing Diwali as a state holiday starting January 2026. Learn how this affects schools and state employees.
California becomes the first West Coast state to officially recognize Diwali, allowing schools to close and state employees to take paid leave.
California has Diwali now on the state holidays list. Public schools will be closed and state workers can have paid time off for the festival. Starting January 1, 2026, the new law, AB 268, made by the Assembly members Darshana Patel and Ash Kalra together, will be in force. The decision mirrors the cultural diversity that is increasing in the U. S. and it is already the case in a few states that the Festival of Lights has been recognized.
What the Law Entails
AB 268 allows:
Diwali public school and community college closing.
State employees taking paid leave to celebrate.
Ash Kalra, a member of the Assembly, tweeted about the importance of the acknowledgment, “Making Diwali a state holiday will spread its message to the hundreds of thousands of Californians who celebrate it and help to introduce it to many others in our diverse state.”
The bill also had the support of the Coalition of Hindus of North America, who emphasized the importance of cultural inclusivity.
Significance of the Recognition of Diwali
The Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a symbol of the victory of light over darkness and of the good over evil. By giving the holiday a formal proclamation, California not only accepts the Hindu community's contributions but also encourages the understanding of different customs among the people of the state.
Other U. S. States that Celebrate Diwali
- California is now the first state on the West Coast to make Diwali a state holiday. It is also among:
- Pennsylvania – Diwali is on the 15th day of Kartik in the Hindu lunisolar calendar; and the recognition doesn’t come with school or government office closures.
- New York
- New Jersey
- Texas
The advance of acknowledgment on this matter is a clear indication of the growing and powerful presence of the Indian-American population in the country.
FAQs
When does the Diwali holiday in California start?
January 1, 2026.
Which states in the U. S. participate in the official celebration of Diwali?
In addition to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Texas, now California as well.
