Diwali 2026 dates to plan around
| Date | Occasion | Marketing angle |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 6 November 2026 | Dhanteras | Gold, utensils, electronics, vehicles, gifting and "auspicious buy" messages |
| Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Greetings and warm brand moments, with little hard selling |
| The days that follow | Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj | Gifting for family and sibling occasions. Check your local panchang for exact dates |
Dates can differ slightly by region, so confirm with your local calendar before you schedule anything.
Short on time? Your 48-hour action list
- Update your Google Business Profile: festive hours, a post with your offer and a Diwali photo.
- Send a WhatsApp greeting to customers who have agreed to hear from you, with one clear offer and a last-order date.
- Post a warm Instagram reel or story. A sincere greeting with your team or product beats a loud sale banner.
- Retarget people who visited your site or product pages in the last 30 days.
- State delivery cut-offs and holiday closures on your site and ads, so no one is let down.
- Make sure someone answers enquiries on the busiest days, including by WhatsApp.
Ideas by type of business
| Business | Idea | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Retail and ecommerce | Gift bundles, "order by" dates, prepaid incentives | Delivery delays and COD returns |
| Real estate | Site-visit slots around the festive days, clear possession and payment details | Keep claims within approved plans and RERA rules |
| Clinics and hospitals | Health check-up packages, seasonal health tips | Follow medical advertising rules, no promises of results |
| Restaurants and hotels | Festive menus, family tables, advance booking | Capacity and booking confirmations |
| Services and B2B | Client greetings, year-end planning calls | Keep it personal, not a mass blast |
Keep it honest and respectful
- Only message people who have agreed to hear from you on WhatsApp or SMS.
- Do not invent urgency. If an offer ends on a date, say the date.
- Be mindful of local rules and air-quality concerns when showing festive scenes.
- Use real photos of your team or work where you can.
After Diwali: do not stop
Many businesses go quiet right after the festival, just as people have time and money for the next purchase. Thank customers, ask for reviews while the experience is fresh, retarget people who enquired but did not buy, and plan for the wedding season and year-end that usually follow.
Plan next year earlier
Start the content calendar four to six weeks before Dhanteras, finish creatives early and test your ads before the rush, when costs are often higher. Record what worked this year so next year's plan starts from facts. For channel choices, see Meta ads vs Google ads and our guide to break-even ROAS.
Diwali marketing ideas for Indian businesses: questions answered
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali, with the main Lakshmi Puja, falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026. Confirm local timings with your regional calendar.
When should I start Diwali marketing?
Four to six weeks before Dhanteras is ideal, because customers research and compare early. If you are late, focus on greetings, retargeting and fast replies.
Should I run ads on Diwali day itself?
It depends on your audience, so check your own data. Many brands focus on greetings on the day and put sales spend on the days before and after.
How much budget should I spend?
There is no standard figure. Work backwards from your margin, your target cost per lead or sale, and last year's results. Our free tools can help.
Can you run my festive campaigns?
Yes. We plan and run festive campaigns on Meta and Google for brands across Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. Get a free audit.