California has declared a new public holiday. The new law is set to make Diwali a state holiday which means students will be able to take a day off from school. The bill will take effect on January 1st after Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law earlier this week.
Starting next school year, public schools across California will be able to shut down for Diwali celebrations next year. The holiday isn’t just for one community: Sikhs and Buddhists who commemorate the festival will be able to take a day off, too. On the calendar, the new state holiday will be sandwiched in between Labor Day and Veterans Day—with Americans marking Labor Day at the start of September and Veterans Day on November 11.
The move reflects California’s diversity: Around 960,000 Indian-Americans live in California, more than double the number living in New Jersey and New York, while Texas is home to around 500,000 Indian-Americans, according to AAPI data.
What California’s new law changes
Diwali will be officialy recognized as a state holiday in California, allowing school districts to close for the celebration and making easier family participation. People can plan for it without sacrificing education scheduling the day to fall between Labor Day and Veterans Day.
This policy shows inclusivity by recognizing that Buddhists and Sikhs both celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. However, the law’s timing is also important because the first general shutdown of schools can happen during the next school year, since it will go into effect on January 1.
Students and parents will be happy to have a recognized cultural celebration that removes the need to choose between keeping tradition and going to class.
When does Diwali happen and who celebrates?
In Hinduism, Diwali is a lively Hindu festival that represents the start of the Indian fiscal year and is especially connected to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists also celebrate variations of the festival that happens during the month of Kartik.
In the U.S. though, it will be celebrated from October 20 to October 21 this year. But the holiday itself is celebrated over 5 days in India, with the main day, Lakshmi Puja, starting on October 20. The celebration is huge on a global scale, enjoyed by over one billion people.
States are beginning to formally recognize it, which is in mostly explained by its big footprint. The third state to declare Diwali a state holiday is California.
In 2024, Pennsylvania became the first state in the US to recognize it, but despite the fact that it is a holiday, schools in the state are not required to close. And next came Connecticut, where in June Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill establishing Diwali as a state holiday.
These actions collectively demonstrate a growing trend of recognizing significant religious and cultural holidays on the public United States’ calendar.
Why is Diwali’s recognition so important?
California’s designation of Diwali as a state holiday accomplishes three significant goals. In the first place, it helps students and families by allowing California’s public schools to take a break for a big cultural event without requiring make-up work or unwanted absences.
Second, it’s a big reflection of the state’s population, which includes approximately 960,000 Indian Americans and a large number of Sikhs and Buddhists.
Third, it matches the calendar with local events, making it easier to plan by scheduling the day between Veterans Day and Labor Day.
California, along with Pennsylvania and Connecticut, will recognize a festival that is celebrated by more than one billion people worldwide on January 1st after Governor Gavin Newsom signs the legislation. This change creates space for light, family, and community during the school year and is inclusive, celebratory, and practical.