For most of my life, Diwali meant one thing: going home. Home to India, to the whole family under one roof, to sweets on every table and lights on every balcony. Even after I moved abroad, we usually flew back for Diwali.
But for the past two or three years, we’ve stayed in the Netherlands for Diwali. And I’ll be honest, the first time felt strange. No crackers in the street, no relatives dropping in, no noise at all. Just a normal autumn evening in a Dutch town.
Over time, I found my own way to make it feel like Diwali here. In this post I share how we celebrate Diwali in the Netherlands, what I still miss, and simple ideas if you’re spending your first Diwali away from home.
What Diwali feels like in India
If you grew up with Diwali, you know it isn’t just one evening. It’s weeks of cleaning, shopping, sweets being made, new clothes, and the whole neighbourhood slowly lighting up.
What I miss most is the family get-together. Everyone in one house, cousins, aunties, kids running around, food coming out of the kitchen non-stop. And the lights. Every building covered in lights, diyas on every doorstep.
There’s a Hindi word for that feeling: chahal-pahal. It means the buzz, the hustle and bustle, the happy noise of a place full of life. That chahal-pahal is the thing you can’t pack in a suitcase. It’s the part I miss every single year.
How we celebrate Diwali in the Netherlands
With friends who feel like family
Here, our Diwali is with a small group of friends who feel like family. We go to their place, everyone dresses up in Indian clothes, there’s good food, sweets, music and a lot of laughter.
It’s smaller than Diwali in India, but it’s warm. When you live abroad, friends become your family, and festivals are when you feel that most. On Diwali evening, I don’t feel like an expat far from home. I feel like I’m with my people.
Lights in my new home and a small diya
My own little tradition is simple: I put lights up in our new home and light a small diya. Nothing fancy. But when the house glows in the evening, it instantly feels like Diwali.
It’s also a way of saying thank you. A new home in a new country is a big thing, and lighting a diya in it feels like blessing that new chapter.
Dressing up, even in the Dutch cold
Diwali here usually means cold weather, rain, and dark evenings by 5 pm. I still dress up. A kurta, jewellery, a bindi. It changes your mood completely, and it makes the evening feel special instead of like any other weekday.
Ideas for celebrating Diwali abroad
If this is your first Diwali away from India, here are things that help me and my friends:
- Make a plan with friends early. Don’t wait for someone else to organise. Invite two or three people, cook together, or make it a potluck.
- Light up your home. Fairy lights, candles, a few diyas. Even a small balcony or window looks beautiful.
- Video call your family during their celebration. Join their puja on a call, see the lights, say hello to everyone.
- Make or buy one sweet you love. Most big Dutch cities have Indian grocery shops where you can find sweets and ingredients.
- Wear Indian clothes. Even if it’s only at home. It brings the festival feeling straight back.
- Look for community events. Many cities in the Netherlands have Diwali events organised by Indian and Hindu communities, so you can feel the bigger celebration too.
- Share it with your Dutch friends and colleagues. Bring sweets to the office or explain what Diwali means. People are usually curious and happy to celebrate with you.
Dealing with the homesick feeling
Even with all of this, some years Diwali abroad can make you a little homesick. That’s normal. You’re missing something that is part of who you are.
What helps me is accepting that Diwali here is different, not worse. It’s quieter, but it’s ours. And it’s a choice we made for the life we’re building. I wrote more about this in my post on how to deal with homesickness abroad.
I also find it helps to keep one or two traditions that are only yours. For me, that’s the lights and the small diya. It connects my life in India with my life here.
When is Diwali in 2026?
In 2026, the main Diwali day (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday, 8 November. A weekend Diwali is a gift when you live abroad: no rushing from work, more time to cook, dress up and visit friends.
Diwali in the Netherlands vs India
Living in the Netherlands has taught me that a festival is less about the place and more about the people around you.
In India, Diwali happens around you. The whole country celebrates, and you’re swept up in it. Abroad, Diwali happens because you make it happen. You plan it, you cook, you invite people, you light the diya.
That makes it feel more personal. And when I see the lights in our home, I know we brought a piece of India with us.
A simple Diwali evening plan for abroad
If you want a ready-made plan, here’s a simple one that works even in a small apartment.
Afternoon: Clean and decorate. Put up fairy lights, set out diyas or candles, and add a few flowers. If you like, make a small rangoli at the door with coloured powder, rice or flowers.
Early evening: Get dressed up and video call family back home. Seeing their lights and hearing the noise in the background brings the festival straight to you.
Puja: Do a small Lakshmi puja at home or join one at a friend’s place. It doesn’t have to be big. A diya, a few sweets and a moment of gratitude is enough.
Dinner: Cook together or bring dishes to share. Food is the heart of Diwali, and cooking with friends makes it feel like family.
Later: Sweets, music, photos and long conversations. Loud crackers aren’t really part of Diwali here, and honestly, the quiet makes the lights feel even more special.
The point isn’t to copy Diwali in India exactly. It’s to create a version that feels warm and real where you live now.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diwali celebrated in the Netherlands?
Yes. There is a big Indian and Hindu community in the Netherlands, and many cities have Diwali events. Most people celebrate at home or with friends.
How do I celebrate Diwali alone abroad?
Light a few candles or a diya, dress up, cook one dish you love, and video call your family. Better still, invite one or two friends. Diwali is more fun shared.
Where can I buy Diwali sweets in the Netherlands?
Indian grocery stores in most big cities sell sweets, diyas and puja items. You can also make simple sweets at home with friends.
Can I use real diyas at home?
Yes, but be careful with open flames, especially near curtains. Many people abroad also use LED diyas and fairy lights, which are safer and still look beautiful.
How do you celebrate Diwali away from home? Tell me in the comments 👇
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