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What you need to know about Diwali, now an NYC public school holiday

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Oct 31, 2024

Modified Oct 31, 2024

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A traditional Indian dance is performed during Deepavali, the "Festival of Lights" celebration Oct. 14, 2007 in New York City.

 

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Oct 31, 2024

Modified Oct 31, 2024

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For the first time, New York City’s public school students will have Friday off to observe Diwali, a holiday celebrated worldwide by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains.

The new school holiday, which falls on Nov. 1, comes after years of advocacy by the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities.

What is Diwali?

Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the “Festival of Lights,” is a celebration of light over darkness. The holiday originated in India more than 2,500 years ago and is marked by millions worldwide, including New York City’s 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist residents, according to Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Queens). Rajkumar, a Hindu Indian American, led legislative efforts to establish Diwali as a school holiday.

Celebrations go on for days but the main holiday takes place this year on Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.

Why is Diwali a school holiday now?

New York City public schools have recently added holidays such as Lunar New Year, Eid and Juneteenth to reflect the city’s diversity.

After decades of lobbying, local South Asian communities saw their efforts culminate last year when officials passed legislation adding Diwali to the school calendar.

“This is an achievement that will outlast even me. For generations to come, all New Yorkers will observe the Diwali school holiday,” Rajkumar said in an interview. “I am very proud of this moment.”

Rajkumar said Diwali being named a school holiday tells South Asian and Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers that “they have an important place in the gorgeous mosaic that is New York City.”

Where to celebrate Diwali in NYC

For those wanting to join in the festivities, here are some ways to celebrate Diwali in NYC this week:

Rajkumar said some parents have asked her how they could celebrate the holiday, regardless of their religious background.

She said families can keep it small by lighting a candle at home or attending a nearby Hindu temple, which she said are open to everyone regardless of their own personal beliefs. She said New Yorkers can reach out to her office for more information.

“This is the festival of light. It’s about turning on the light within yourself and spreading the light all across the world,” she said.

Dry conditions could be dangerous this year

Celebrators of Diwali — which typically calls for prayer, feasts and displays including fireworks — should be particularly careful with the dry conditions in the area.

New York and the surrounding region has been stuck in an ongoing dry spell. Central Park, for example, experienced one of its longest stretches without measurable precipitations which barely ended after it got 0.01 inches of rain on Wednesday.

But conditions in the city and especially New Jersey remain dangerously dry which could lead to the spread of wildfires.

A Diwali celebration with national significance

This year’s Diwali observance comes just days before the presidential election, in which Kamala Harris, the first South Asian and Black vice president, could make history if elected the first female president.

Harris, who is Christian, has previously celebrated Diwali publicly, hosting a celebration at her residence while serving as vice president in 2022. President Joe Biden also held a large Diwali event at the White House that year.

On Monday, the White House hosted another Diwali event attended by more than 600 Indian Americans, though both Harris and Biden were absent because they were on the campaign trail.

This story has been updated with additional comment from Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar.

Tagged

new york city

education

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Giulia Heyward

Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.

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