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Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, with Lakshmi Puja that evening. Nashville's Desi community celebrates it across two full weekends, from a free kids carnival in Antioch to fireworks in Hermitage. This guide puts every major celebration in one place, with dates, times, venues, and links to the full event listings on NashDesi.
Saturday, October 31: Kids Diwali at Shree Umiya Dham
The season kicks off with a free family celebration built for kids.
- When: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Where: Shree Umiya Dham, 2241 Hobson Pike, Antioch, TN 37013
- Entry: Free, but registration is required
- What is on: Face painting, bounce houses, games, food, and free gift bags for kids
- Sponsors: Einstein Bros Bagels, Tim Hortons, LaPino Pizza, DQ, DosBros Mex Grill
Full details and registration info: Kids Diwali - Shree Umiya Dham
Sunday, November 1: Diwali Mela at Sri Ganesha Temple
The Sri Ganesha Temple Diwali Mela is one of Nashville's longest running Diwali gatherings. It is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Sri Ganesha Temple, 527 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville. Timings are still to be announced, and this guide will be updated as soon as the temple confirms them. Check the temple's own announcements before heading out.
Sunday, November 8: Diwali Celebrations at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
The main event of the season, on Diwali day itself.
- When: Sunday, November 8, 2026, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Where: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Hermitage
- Program: Sharda and Chopda Pujan at 4:00 PM, followed by Mahaprasad, with fireworks at 7:00 PM
Full details: Diwali Celebrations - BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Tuesday, November 10: New Year and Grand Annakut at BAPS
The celebrations continue into the Hindu New Year with the Grand Annakut, the mountain of food offered to the deities, a tradition families travel across Middle Tennessee to see.
- When: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Where: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Hermitage
Full details: New Year and Grand Annakut - BAPS Nashville
Where to shop for Diwali in Nashville
For diyas, lights, sweets, and pooja items, Nashville's Indian grocery stores stock up well before Diwali. Stores listed in the NashDesi directory include Patel Brothers, Boro Bazaar, Desi Mart, India Bazaar, Om Sai Indian Grocery, and Shop Kiraana Indian Market. Shop early in the week of November 2, since the most popular sweets and diyas sell out before the weekend.
Planning your Diwali weekend
If you are new to Nashville, start with the Umiya Kids Diwali on October 31 for a relaxed family day, keep November 1 open for the temple Mela once timings are confirmed, and plan your Diwali evening on November 8 around the BAPS celebrations and the 7:00 PM fireworks. If you are hosting at home, an evening Lakshmi Puja followed by the BAPS fireworks makes for a full Diwali day without rushing between venues.
Final Thoughts
Diwali in Nashville is spread across the whole community, from Antioch to Hermitage, and every event above is free to attend. Bookmark this guide, share it with a family that is new to town, and check the NashDesi events calendar for anything added closer to the day.
As you plan, explore these additional NashDesi resources:
- Kids Diwali - Shree Umiya Dham
- Diwali Celebrations - BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- New Year and Grand Annakut - BAPS Nashville
- NashDesi Business Directory
- Browse All Blogs
Published by NashDesi - Nashville's Indian & Desi Community Platform.