Diwali 2026 in Canada: date, Lakshmi Puja muhurat, events and gold gifts

When is Diwali 2026 in Canada?

Diwali falls on Amavasya, the new moon of the month of Kartika. In 2026, Drik Panchang puts Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, November 8, for Toronto, Vancouver and New Delhi. Diwali is not a statutory holiday in Canada, so many people take a day off or celebrate on the weekend. In 2026 the main day falls on a Sunday, which makes that easier.

Dates are from Drik Panchang's Diwali calendar for Toronto. In India, Bhai Dooj falls on November 11.

What time is Lakshmi Puja on Diwali 2026 in Toronto and Vancouver?

Drik Panchang recommends Lakshmi Puja in Pradosh Kaal (after sunset) while Vrishabha Kaal, a fixed lagna, is rising.

Some families, especially those who do Kali Puja or tantric rites, prefer a late-night (Nishita Kaal) puja. For Toronto, Drik Panchang lists a Mahanishita Kaal muhurat of 11:58 PM on November 8 to 12:30 AM on November 9. For Vancouver it lists no late-night muhurat in 2026, because Amavasya ends before the midnight (Nishita) window there.

A note on clocks: Ontario returns to standard time on November 1, 2026, but British Columbia now stays on Pacific time (UTC-7) all year. So in November, Vancouver is two hours behind Toronto.

What does Diwali celebrate?

Diwali, or Deepavali, means a row of lamps. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists, each with its own meaning. For many Hindu families it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and the victory of light over darkness. The evening puja honours Goddess Lakshmi, with Lord Ganesha and, in many homes, Goddess Saraswati and Lord Kubera. Business families also do Chopda Puja or Sharda Puja on this day, blessing new account books.

Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day in 2026. See our page on Bandi Chhor Divas 2026.

Diwali events in Canada in 2026

Big Diwali celebrations happen at temples, community centres and city squares, mostly on the weekends around November 8. We list only events whose 2026 dates we could confirm with the organizer.

Metro Vancouver (Diwali Fest)

Diwali Fest, a B.C. festival organizer, lists these 2026 events on its website:

• Tsawwassen Mills: November 1, 2:00 PM
• Coquitlam, Evergreen Cultural Centre: November 5, 6:00 PM
• Vancouver, Roundhouse Community Centre: November 7, 2:00 PM
• New Westminster, Anvil Centre: November 9, 5:30 PM
• Surrey City Hall: November 15, 2:00 PM

Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga and other cities

We could not confirm 2026 dates from organizers in the Greater Toronto Area, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal or Ottawa at the time of writing. Check your city's events page, your local mandir, and community groups in late October. Times and venues can change, so confirm before you go.

Is gold a good Diwali gift?

Gold is one of the most traditional Diwali gifts, along with sweets, dry fruits, diyas and new clothes. It holds its value better than most gifts, and it can be passed down. Popular gold gifts include:

• A small gold coin (1 g, 2 g or 5 g), often with Lakshmi or Ganesha. Good for parents, in-laws or a new baby.
• Light 22K jewellery such as earrings, a chain or a pendant.
• Silver coins or puja items, if your budget is smaller. See the silver price.
• A gold savings gift for a child, added to every year.

Sending gold to family in India? It is often simpler to send money and let them buy locally. Compare the gold rate in India with Canada first, and see our guide on carrying gold from Canada to India if you plan to bring it yourself.

How do you buy gold smart for Diwali?

22K or 24K?

24K gold is 99.9% pure. It is soft, so it is used mostly for coins and bars. 22K gold is 91.6% pure (often stamped 916). It is a little harder, so most South Asian jewellery is 22K. 18K is 75% gold and 14K is 58.5%. For the same weight, a higher karat has more gold in it, so it costs more. Use our gold price by karat page to compare.

Making charges

Jewellery costs more than the gold inside it. Stores add a making charge (also called a labour or design charge). Some charge a percentage of the gold value. Others charge a set amount per gram. Ask for the gold weight, the karat and the making charge as separate lines on the bill. Then you can compare stores. Our jewellery markup calculator shows how much you pay above the gold value.

Buy-back and exchange

Ask the store, before you pay, what it pays if you sell or exchange the piece later. Many stores deduct the making charge, and some deduct more. Get the policy in writing on the receipt. Coins and bars usually lose less on resale than detailed jewellery.

Check the stamp

In Canada, a quality mark (like 22K or 916) is not required. But if a store puts one on, it must be truthful and come with a Canadian trademark, under the Precious Metals Marking Act (as of October 2026). Keep your receipt with the karat, weight and store name.

To check a price before you buy, use our gold value calculator with the live gold price in Canada. Gold prices can go down as well as up. Past prices don't predict future prices.

Common questions

Sources

• Drik Panchang: Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026, Toronto
• Drik Panchang: Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026, Vancouver
• Drik Panchang: Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026, New Delhi
• Drik Panchang: Diwali puja calendar 2026, Toronto
• Diwali Fest (B.C.): Upcoming events
• Government of British Columbia: Permanent daylight saving time (Pacific time, UTC-7)
• Competition Bureau Canada: Precious metals marking

Checked against these sources on October 24, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.