Celebrate Diwali with food, lights, music and prayer on Long Island

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness. On Long Island and around the world, the celebration starts with prayer and the lighting of the diya (an oil lamp) in homes and places of worship.

The holiday spans five days (Oct. 18-22) with the maincelebration on Oct. 20. It continues the following day with the bringing of traditional food to places of worship adding to Annakut, a large food offering to God. Here are ways to observe the holiday:

Oct. 18: DIWALI CELEBRATION 

2 South St., Garden City

The celebration includes a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony at 7:15 p.m. with live entertainment and dinner at 8 p.m. at Akbar Restaurant.

• Cost Tickets start at $150
• More info aapiqli.org, 516-357-8300.

Oct. 22: DIWALI AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN MELVILLE

2 Deshon Dr., Melville

Children’s celebration featuring traditions including praying, wearing traditional clothes and games with a focus on Diwali, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 12.

The Diwali celebration begins at 7 p.m. and includes Chopda Punjan, a ceremony in which journals and prayer books are blessed as families pray for success and happiness in the coming year. The Annakut (food mountain) offering following traditional Hindu cultural tradition takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

• Cost Free
• More info baps.org/Longisland, 631-996-9237.

Oct. 29: DIWALI CELEBRATION IN NEW HYDE PARK 

1601 Marcus Ave., New Hyde Park

The event features the lighting of the diya and cultural performances including dance and music, 6 to 9 p.m.  at Clinton G. Martin Park.

• Cost Free
• More info northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-7625.

Nov. 9: DIWALI GALA IN WOODBURY

8325 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury

The gala features Devendra Gupta performing Indian folk and popular tunes, 5 to 10 p.m. at Crest Hollow Country Club.

• Cost $150 includes a buffet dinner and entertainment. 
• More info ranausa.org, 516-987-0053.