TL;DR: On October 7, 2025, California became the third U.S. state (after Pennsylvania and Connecticut) to officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday, with Assembly Bill 268 signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, allowing state employees to take paid leave and public school students/community college attendees to take excused absences for Diwali. While schools and colleges aren’t required to close, they now have the option. The move celebrates California’s diverse South Asian community and acknowledges Diwali’s significance for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
California Declares Diwali a State Holiday (Effective 2026)
Date Signed: October 7, 2025
Effective From: January 1, 2026
Bill: Assembly Bill 268 (AB 268)
Signed By: Governor Gavin Newsom
California Becomes: 3rd U.S. state to recognize Diwali (after Pennsylvania in 2024 and Connecticut in 2025)
Key Provisions of the Law:
- Diwali is now an officially recognized state holiday.
- State employees can take paid leave on Diwali.
- Public school students and community college attendees are granted excused absences.
- Schools and colleges are allowed but not required to close.
- Applies to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists who celebrate the festival.
Cultural Context:
- Diwali (Deepavali): A 5-day Hindu festival celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and the start of the Hindu New Year.
- Typically celebrated in October or November, based on the lunar calendar.
- California is home to over 800,000 Indian Americans, many of whom observe Diwali.
Legislative & Community Involvement:
- Introduced by: Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose)
- Supported by: Hindu American Foundation, Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA)
- Goal: Promote multicultural inclusion and recognize the contributions of South Asian Americans.
Celebrations & Local Recognition:
Los Angeles County has recognized Diwali since 2022. Diwali 2025 (on October 20) includes multiple community events across SoCal:
Sample Events in SoCal:
- Oct 9: Educational event at Pacoima Branch Library
- Oct 11: SoCal Diwali Festival (Cerritos)
- Oct 12: Diwali Mela by United Indian Association (Brentwood)
- Oct 18–21: Festival of Unity at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Chino Hills)
- Oct 18: Diwali Dunz by Sevasphere (Downtown LA)
- Oct 19–22: 5-Day Festivities at Jain Center of Southern California (Buena Park)
Reactions & Broader Impact:
- Supporters: Applaud the move as a historic milestone for cultural representation.
- Criticism: Some concern over adding more holidays to the school/work calendar.
- Media Coverage: Widespread coverage across AP, ABC News, IndiaWest, and regional outlets; community praised the inclusive decision.
- Social Media: Celebratory posts from @CoHNAorg, @HinduAmerican, and others on October 7-8, 2025.
What’s Next:
- The first official Diwali holiday in California will be observed in October/November 2026, based on that year’s lunar calendar date.