Celebrate Diwali 2025 in NYC & NJ with exact dates, aarti timings, top festivals, temple events, transit tips, and the best sweets corridors. Pre‑order mithai now.

Diwali 2025 New York & New Jersey: Aarti, Festivals, and Sweets

Planning Diwali 2025 in New York and New Jersey? From majestic temple aartis and city festivals to mithai runs on Oak Tree Road and Newark Avenue, here’s everything you need—dates and muhurat basics, temple schedules, headline festivals, ticketing and transit, family itineraries, and where to find the best sweets before they sell out. Use this as your ready-to-go playbook for a smooth, meaningful celebration across NYC and NJ.

• Table of Contents
  • Key dates and muhurat (NYC & NJ)
  • What Diwali looks like in NYC/NJ (format and venue rules)
  • Where to celebrate: Festivals and city events
  • Temple aarti schedules: NYC & NJ mandirs to watch
  • Home Lakshmi Puja in 20–30 minutes (checklist + steps)
  • Tickets, RSVPs, and seating (how to book smart)
  • Transit and parking: MTA, PATH, NJ Transit
  • Sweets and shopping corridors (pre‑order guide)
  • Family itineraries (NYC and NJ focus)
  • Budget planner with realistic scenarios
  • Accessibility, kids, and safety checklist
  • For sponsors and cultural advertisers
  • Featured snippet: Diwali 2025 NYC/NJ at a glance
  • Useful external resources
  • FAQ: Diwali 2025 New York & New Jersey

Key dates and muhurat (NYC & NJ)

In 2025, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Monday, October 20, 2025, across New York and New Jersey. The festive window runs over several days:

• Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi): Saturday, October 18, 2025
• Naraka Chaturdashi/Chhoti Diwali: Sunday, October 19, 2025
• Lakshmi Puja/Diwali (Main): Monday, October 20, 2025
• Govardhan Puja/Annakut: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
• Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Muhurat (auspicious timing) varies by location and tradition. Confirm Pradosh Kaal/Lakshmi Puja window with your mandir 1–2 weeks prior. Many temples publish city-specific aarti schedules closer to the date.

Additionally:

• Community festivals often run both weekends around Diwali (Oct 18–19 and Oct 25–26, 2025).
• School/workplace events may occur on nearby weekdays for convenience.

What Diwali looks like in NYC/NJ (format and venue rules)

• The format
  • Temple aartis and Lakshmi Puja on Diwali evening.
  • Weekend melas: rangoli, cultural performances, diya-lighting, and shopping.
  • Annakut/Annakoot displays (Govardhan Puja) at several mandirs on Oct 21.
• Language and access
  • Rituals in Sanskrit/Hindi/Gujarati/Tamil/etc., with English summaries.
  • Many venues offer family seating, kids’ craft corners, and accessible aisles.
• Venue rules you’ll see often
  • Bag checks; clear-bag policies; no outside food.
  • No open flames indoors; some use LED or controlled diya-lighting.
  • Photography okay in most areas—avoid flash during aarti.

Where to celebrate: Festivals and city events

Final 2025 lineups and addresses go live 3–6 weeks before Diwali. Start with these event hubs; follow organizers for last-minute updates.

• NYC event discovery
  • Eventbrite NYC (search “Diwali”): https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ny–new-york/diwali/
  • NYC Official Events (NYCgo): https://www.nycgo.com/events
  • Times Square events calendar (seasonal): https://www.timessquarenyc.org/events
• NJ event discovery
  • Eventbrite NJ (search “Diwali”): https://www.eventbrite.com/d/nj–new-jersey/diwali/
  • State tourism events: https://www.visitnj.org/events

What to expect by area:

• Manhattan/Queens/Brooklyn
  • Large cultural evenings in auditoriums; neighborhood diya-lighting and rangoli showcases; strong temple programming in Queens (Flushing).
• Jersey City & Central Jersey
  • Newark Avenue (India Square) and Oak Tree Road (Edison/Iselin) corridors brim with lights, mithai queues, and pop-up performances near festival dates (subject to permits).
• Long Island & North Jersey suburbs
  • Family-focused indoor melas, school/community-center shows, and temple aarti programs with prasad.

Tip: Always recheck the event page the morning of the festival. Weather, security, or permit factors can shift gates or schedules by 10–20 minutes.

Temple aarti schedules: NYC & NJ mandirs to watch

Temples typically publish Lakshmi Puja and Annakut timings 1–2 weeks prior. Verify directly with the mandir.

• Hindu Temple Society of North America (Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Temple), Flushing, NY
  Website: https://www.nyganeshtemple.org
  Expect: Diwali aarti, special archana, heavy evening footfall.
• ISKCON NYC (Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir) / The Bhakti Center (for program listings)
  ISKCON centers locator: https://centers.iskcon.org/
  Bhakti Center (NYC programs): https://bhakticenter.org
  Expect: Kirtans, aarti, Lakshmi-related discourses, prasad.
• BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville, NJ (and BAPS centers across NJ/NY)
  Campus site: https://usa.akshardham.org
  BAPS network (timings per center): https://www.baps.org/Global-Network/North-America.aspx
  Expect: Lakshmi Puja guidance, Sabha, and elaborate Annakut/Annakoot the next day.
• Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir), Bridgewater, NJ
  Website: https://www.venkateswara.org
  Expect: Special Diwali archana and evening aarti; donate/archana counters open.
• Hindu Samaj Temple, Mahwah, NJ
  Website: https://www.hindusamajtemple.org
  Expect: Festival aarti and family bhajans; check their calendar mid‑October.

Planning notes:

• Arrive 30–45 minutes early on Diwali evening to manage parking/queues.
• Many temples operate token systems for archana; carry a small cash donation or card as accepted.
• Annakut darshan day (Oct 21) can be crowded—go early or late for calmer viewing.

Home Lakshmi Puja in 20–30 minutes (checklist + steps)

Short, sincere, and apartment-friendly.

What you need

• Clean altar/table; images/idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha
• Diya (ghee/oil) or LED candle, incense (optional), bell (optional)
• Haldi, kumkum, rice (akshata), flowers/leaves
• Sweets/fruit (naivedyam) and water
• Coins/cash for symbolic prosperity; account books (optional)

Steps

1. Shuddhi & sankalpa (2 min): Tidy space; light diya; state your intent (prosperity, harmony).
2. Ganesh invocation (3 min): Offer flowers/akshata; chant “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” 11 times.
3. Lakshmi Puja (8–10 min): Offer haldi-kumkum, rice, flowers; chant “Shreem” or Lakshmi ashtak lines; ring bell softly.
4. Aarti (3–5 min): Perform aarti to Lakshmi–Ganesha; keep flames away from drapes; ventilate if using incense.
5. Naivedyam & prasad (2–3 min): Offer sweets/fruit; share with family; video call elders for blessings.

Optional

• LED diyas in hallways/balcony where open flames are restricted.
• Simple rangoli/kolam at the door; kids decorate diya holders.

Safety

• Use metal/ceramic trays under diyas; never leave flames unattended. Consider flameless candles in high-traffic areas.

Tickets, RSVPs, and seating (how to book smart)

1. Prioritize your dates
   • Main Diwali night + one weekend mela.
2. Search and filter
   • Eventbrite NYC/NJ for Oct 18–26; add alerts; check for family packs.
3. Read inclusions
   • Entry-only vs. seated ticket, prasad coupons, meet-and-greet, parking guidance.
4. House rules
   • Clear-bag policy, outside food, re-entry, last-entry time, stroller zones.
5. Save everything
   • Screenshot QR codes; note exact hall name, gate, and assigned row/seat.
6. Accessibility
   • Email 24–48 hours ahead for wheelchair aisles, aisle seats for elders, or quiet-room access.
7. Confirm on the day
   • Sound checks/security can shift gate times by 10–15 minutes.

Pro tip: Choose aisles with kids/elders. Pack a light layer, water, and a small snack where permitted.

Transit and parking: MTA, PATH, NJ Transit

Evening frequencies drop; plan connections and a fallback rideshare.

• MTA (NYC subways/buses): https://new.mta.info
• PATH (NY ↔ NJ): https://www.panynj.gov/path
• NJ Transit (rail/bus): https://www.njtransit.com

Quick tips

• For Manhattan/Queens/Brooklyn events, pair subway with a short rideshare after 9:30–10:30 PM.
• For NJ events, use NJ Transit/PATH to the closest hub and rideshare the last mile.
• Parking: Opt for venue garages or well-lit lots; save a secondary pickup point (side street) to beat post-event surge.

Weather

• Late October can be cool or rainy—bring a compact umbrella and non-slip shoes.

Sweets and shopping corridors (pre‑order guide)

The mithai rush is real. Pre‑order and schedule pickup on Diwali afternoon or after aarti.

• NJ: Oak Tree Road (Edison/Iselin)—dense clusters of mithai shops, jewelry, and decor.
  Map search: https://maps.google.com/?q=Oak%20Tree%20Road%20Edison%20Indian%20sweets
• Jersey City: Newark Avenue (India Square)—snacks, sweets, lights.
  Map search: https://maps.google.com/?q=Newark%20Avenue%20Jersey%20City%20Indian%20sweets
• NYC: Jackson Heights (Queens) and “Curry Hill” (Lexington Ave around 27th–29th St) for restaurants, ingredients, and decor.
  Map search: https://maps.google.com/?q=Jackson%20Heights%20Indian%20sweets

Pre‑order picks (categories)

• Classic: Kaju katli, jalebi, rasgulla, motichoor laddoo, soan papdi
• Savory: Chivda/mixture, khakhra, mathri, samosa/chaat party trays
• Gift boxes: Assorted mithai/dry fruits with minimal plastic and clear allergen labels

Tips

• Ask for nut/dairy/gluten information if hosting kids or guests with allergies.
• Book large party trays 3–5 days ahead; pickup times fill quickly on Oct 20.

Family itineraries (NYC and NJ focus)

NYC Diwali evening (temple + festival + sweets)

1. 4:45 PM — Lakshmi Puja/aarti at a Queens temple (confirm muhurat).
2. 6:15 PM — Early dinner in Jackson Heights.
3. 7:15–9:30 PM — Indoor festival or cultural night in Manhattan/Queens.
4. 9:45 PM — Quick mithai pickup; subway/PATH + rideshare home.

NJ corridor plan (Edison/Iselin + Robbinsville option)

1. 4:30 PM — Aarti at a Central NJ temple (e.g., Bridgewater Balaji or Robbinsville campus; check timings).
2. 6:15 PM — Oak Tree Road mithai + light shopping.
3. 7:45–9:45 PM — Ticketed mela/cultural show nearby.
4. 10:00 PM — Rideshare/drive home; avoid main exit for pickup.

Quick school-night plan (with kids)

1. Do 20-minute home Lakshmi Puja at dusk.
2. Visit your nearest temple for aarti and prasad.
3. Share sweets with neighbors; save the bigger mela for the weekend.

Student budget plan

• Filter Eventbrite for free/low-cost entries; volunteer a shift for early entry.
• Use PATH/NJ Transit/MTA + a short rideshare for late returns.
• Bring a small gift box to dorm/community Diwali potlucks.

Budget planner with realistic scenarios

• Free to low-cost
  • Temple aarti + RSVP community program + prasad
  • Typical spend: 0–0–15 (donation + transit share)
• Mid-range
  • Ticketed mela + sweets + rideshare
  • Typical spend: 25–25–60 per person
• Premium
  • VIP seats + dinner + gift boxes
  • Typical spend: 75–75–150+ per person

Case study: NYC couple under $120

• Festival tickets: $25 x 2 = $50
• Transit/rideshare: 18–18–28
• Sweets/snacks: 20–20–30
• Donation: 10–10–20
  Total: ~98–98–128

Case study: NJ family of four under $180

• Tickets: $15 x 4 = $60
• Parking/rideshare: 15–15–25
• Sweets/snacks: 30–30–50
• Donation: 10–10–20
  Total: ~115–115–155

Keep a small “festival envelope” or prepaid card for tickets, sweets, and donations to avoid budget creep.

Accessibility, kids, and safety checklist

• Wheelchairs and strollers
  • Ask organizers for accessible aisles and stroller parking zones 24–48 hours ahead.
• Seniors and infants
  • Aisle/adjoining seats, minimize stairs, plan quiet breaks during loud segments.
• Fire & electrical
  • Indoor venues restrict open flames; follow ushers’ instructions.
  • At home, use metal/ceramic trays under diyas; consider flameless candles where kids/pets roam.
• Crowd comfort
  • Bring ear protection for kids; pack a light jacket, water, and sanitizer.
  • Identify a secondary exit/pickup point to avoid bottlenecks.

For sponsors and cultural advertisers

Diwali 2025 in NYC/NJ draws multi-generational audiences—ideal for values-led outreach.

• Why sponsor
  • High dwell-time, multi-evening exposure, strong community trust.
• Assets
  • Booths, stage backdrops, emcee shoutouts, program brochures, QR codes, raffle prizes.
• Timeline
  1. 8–10 weeks out: Shortlist cities/organizers; set goals and budget.
  2. 6–8 weeks out: Request media kits/rates; lock deliverables.
  3. 4–6 weeks out: Finalize artwork (posters, reels, QR offers).
  4. 2–3 weeks out: Prep giveaways (discount codes, samples).
  5. Event week: Track scans, footfall, sign-ups; schedule follow-up.

KPIs: footfall, QR scans, coupon redemptions, and post-event conversions.

Featured snippet: Diwali 2025 NYC/NJ at a glance

• Dhanteras: Sat, Oct 18, 2025
• Chhoti Diwali: Sun, Oct 19, 2025
• Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Mon, Oct 20, 2025
• Annakut/Govardhan: Tue, Oct 21, 2025
• Bhai Dooj: Wed, Oct 22, 2025
• Tip: Check temple muhurat and event gate times 1–2 weeks prior; arrive 30–45 minutes early on peak nights.

Useful external resources

• Event discovery: NYC — https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ny–new-york/diwali/ | NJ — https://www.eventbrite.com/d/nj–new-jersey/diwali/ | NYCgo — https://www.nycgo.com/events | VisitNJ — https://www.visitnj.org/events
• Temples:
  • NY Ganesh Temple (Flushing) — https://www.nyganeshtemple.org
  • ISKCON Centers (locator) — https://centers.iskcon.org | Bhakti Center NYC — https://bhakticenter.org
  • BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham (Robbinsville) — https://usa.akshardham.org | BAPS Network — https://www.baps.org/Global-Network/North-America.aspx
  • Sri Venkateswara Temple, Bridgewater — https://www.venkateswara.org
• Transit: MTA — https://new.mta.info | PATH — https://www.panynj.gov/path | NJ Transit — https://www.njtransit.com

Related internal guides

• Diwali 2025 USA: Complete Celebration Guide with Dates, Events & Traditions
• Bay Area Diwali 2025: Cupertino to San Jose Planner
• Houston & Dallas Diwali 2025: Temple Timings & Melas
• Chicago Diwali 2025: Devon Avenue to Suburban Arenas
• Home Lakshmi Puja: 20-Minute Step-by-Step with List

FAQ: Diwali 2025 New York & New Jersey

Conclusion with CTA

Diwali 2025 New York & New Jersey: Aarti, Festivals, and Sweets is your blueprint for a luminous season—from Lakshmi Puja at your favorite mandir to weekend melas, rangoli, and mithai runs in Jackson Heights, India Square, and Oak Tree Road. Confirm muhurat, lock tickets early, save your transit/parking plan, and pre‑order sweets so the good stuff doesn’t sell out. Choose safety and grace, share light with neighbors, and enjoy an unforgettable festival of lights.

Want curated NYC/NJ Diwali schedules, temple aarti alerts, and top festival picks? Subscribe to our newsletter, bookmark this guide, and tell us where you’ll light your first diya this year—at the mandir steps or your own front door?