Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and among Indian communities around the world. This vibrant and spiritually significant festival is a time of joy, unity, and dazzling displays of light.

Diwali, which translates to “Festival of Lights” is celebrated over five days, typically falling in October or November. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, and the lighting of lamps and candles signifies the removal of ignorance and the spread of knowledge.  The festival holds great significance in various religious and cultural contexts, and while its primary celebration is rooted in Hinduism, Diwali is also observed by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists for various reasons.

Homes and public spaces are adorned with colourful rangoli (intricate designs made with coloured powders or flower petals), candles and oil lamps called diyas.  Diwali is a time when people gather in temples and gurdwaras, families come together to exchange gifts and share feasts, and traditional sweets like ladoos and jalebis are prepared and enjoyed.

In 2024, Surrey’s official celebration is taking place on October 20 with a festival at Civic Plaza.

Here are a few places and events around Surrey to celebrate Diwali this year.

Diwali Downtown Surrey

Head to Surrey City Hall for a family-friendly afternoon of unique musical and dance performances on October 20.  Immerse yourself in lively performances by South Asian musicians and dancers, and be a part of the festivities by wearing sparkling attire. Enjoy a cup of masala or ginger chai while viewing the colourful Rangoli displays, and visit the Diwali-themed arts and crafts zone. And be sure to catch a live reading from the book “Henna is…” by talented BC artist and illustrator Anu Chouhan. This charming picture book for children celebrates henna, a traditional plant-based temporary tattoo form popular in South Asian cultural celebrations. 

Diwali Celebration

Join Vivek Canada in kicking off festival season and celebrating Diwali! This community celebration will feature appetizers, dinner, cultural performances; and arts & crafts activities for the entire family on October 5. 

Where to Shop

If you want to celebrate Diwali at home, here are some suggestions for where to find Diwali ingredients and supplies like diyas (lamps), river sand, flowers and decor:

Payal Plaza is home to the largest selection of Indian shopping in the province. Spanning 4 city blocks, the plaza has a shop for everything that you might need to celebrate Diwali at home. Look for traditional clay diyas (oil lamps), candles, coloured sand,  wall hangings, dried (or fresh) flowers, dried fruit and nuts.

Surrey Super Market – Located in Payal Plaza, home to the largest selection of Indian shopping in the province, Surrey Super Market is a palace of Indian dry goods and produce. Visit the bulk section for a myriad of spices and don’t miss the tea aisle.

Indo-Fiji Supermarket – shop for an amazing selection of Indian spices and ingredients and pick up decorative coloured river sand for making Rangoli patterns.

Big Bazaar – A local neighbourhood go-to place for everything from spices to fresh local and ethnic produce to household goods.  So many items are packed into this local shop for you to discover and explore!

World of Graze – Order a stunning grazing board or individual grazing boxes. Available in a variety of sizes (depending on how many people you want to serve), the grazing boxes are packed with local meats and cheese, condiments, crudité, and seasonal snacks.

Just Cakes Bakeshop - JCB's Diwali Platter is a beautiful assortment of festive treats, including coconut laddoos, rasmalai cheesecake cups, cupcakes, and caramel ginger fudge, all arranged around a decorative diya (lamp). In addition to this indulgent selection, JCB also offers a collection of their signature favourites, perfect for celebrating Diwali.

Sweet Shops

In India, sweets are more than just treats – they’re an integral part of the culture and are purchased for every occasion, big or small. Demand for sweets will be high in the lead-up to Diwali, so we recommend pre-ordering if possible. Some of our favourite sweets are Jalebi, a bright orange crunchy sweet that is spiral-shaped (similar to a funnel-cake) and soaked in saffron sugar syrup; Gulab Jamun, a soft sphere of fried dough (similar to a doughnut hole), drenched in a rose-flavoured syrup, and ladoo, which are round, sweet balls made from a variety of flours and ground seeds. Here are a few of our favourite sweet shops:

Aggarwal Sweets (8158 128 Street)
Anmol Sweets (8363 128 Street)
Kesari Indian Sweets & Treats (1990 152 Street)
Madhur Sweets (8120 128 Street)
Prabu Sweets (7035 128 Street)
Tokyo Mithaiwala (12950 80 Avenue)

Feature photo courtesy of World of Graze.