US EditionCalifornia makes Diwali an official statewide holiday
Assembly Bill 268 allows public schools and state employees to observe Diwali with paid leave and excused absences, recognizing California's large Indian American population of nearly one million.
- On October 6, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 268 into law, formally recognizing Diwali as a California state holiday effective January 1, 2026.
- In September, the bill cleared both houses of the California Legislature after a broad grassroots campaign and volunteer outreach helped secure bipartisan support; it was co-authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel.
- AB 268 authorises K-12 public schools and community colleges to close for Diwali, allows state employees paid leave, and encourages educational exercises with a model curriculum guide.
- Community leaders and diaspora organizations praised the decision as an affirmation of the Indian American community’s contributions to California, with Indiaspora calling it a historic milestone for inclusion.
- California now joins Pennsylvania and Connecticut as the third U.S. state to recognize Deepavali.
71 Articles
71 Articles
California makes Diwali a state holiday starting in 2026
Diwali, the vibrant festival of lights celebrated in Hinduism and other religions, will become an official state holiday in California next year. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the new law on Monday as South Asian Americans in the Bay Area prepare to celebrate Diwali later this month. Throngs of celebrants are expected to participate in community festivals and offer prayers at Hindu temples. The new law was sponsored by Democratic state Assemblymember…
DNyuz
California declares Hindu observance an official state holiday
Millions of Indians have flooded the United States in recent years. Now, their political force is being felt in one of their most popular destinations, California. On Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill into law that will make Diwali, also known as Deepavali, a state holiday. The bill, sponsored by assembly members Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel, will take effect on January 1, 2026. ‘This day is marked as the 15th day of the mo…
California designates Diwali a statewide holiday
A Hindu devotee lights oil candles during their Diwali day at a temple in Yangon, Myanmar, on Oct. 31, 2024. (File photo by Thein Zaw/Associated Press) California has become the third U.S. state to designate Diwali — the Hindu “Festival of Lights” — as an official statewide holiday. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law Tuesday to go into effect on Jan. 1. It would authorize public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali. State empl…
California becomes the third state to make Diwali an official holiday
California has become the third U.S. state to designate Diwali the Hindu "Festival of Lights" as an official statewide holiday.Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law Tuesday to go into effect on Jan. 1. It would authorize public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali. State employees could elect to take the day off and public school students will get an excused absence to celebrate the holiday. The new law recognizes that Diwali is …
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