Sikh families celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on the same Sunday, 8 November. Puja times change a little from city to city, so check your local temple or gurdwara.
The Sunday problem
This year the big night is a Sunday. In Germany almost every shop is closed on Sunday. No Rewe, no Indian shop, no last-minute ghee.
So treat Saturday 7 November as your last shopping day. Better still, buy the dry things — diyas, rangoli colours, sweets boxes, gifts — in October. Online orders can take a few days, and the week before Diwali everyone orders at once.
One good side: Sunday means most people are home. It is the easiest Diwali in years to invite friends for dinner.
Diyas in a rented flat — what is really allowed
Many people think real diyas are banned in German flats. That is not true. There is no general law that says you cannot light a candle or a diya inside your own home.
But there are three things you must take seriously:
- Never leave a flame alone. If a fire starts from a candle nobody was watching, your Hausratversicherung (home insurance) may pay less or nothing. They call it "grob fahrlässig" — very careless.
- Read your Hausordnung. This is the house rules paper from your landlord. Many buildings say no open flames on the balcony or in the stairwell (Treppenhaus). Inside your flat is usually your own business.
- Check your smoke alarm. In Hamburg and most of Germany, bedrooms and hallways must have a Rauchmelder. Press the test button a few days before Diwali. A new battery costs less than a fire brigade visit.
What I do at home: a few real diyas for the puja, on a metal tray, far from curtains, and someone always in the room. For the windows, balcony and the front door, I use LED diyas and a warm-white light chain with a timer. They look almost the same from outside, and I can sleep without worry.
Phuljhadi yes, patakhe no
This surprises many new families. In Germany, normal fireworks like rockets and bombs are only sold from 29 to 31 December, for New Year's Eve. You will not find them in November.
Small sparklers (Wunderkerzen) are different. They are in the smallest safety category and are sold all year. So the kids can still have phuljhadi. Light them outside or on the balcony if your house rules allow it, keep a bucket of water nearby, and drop the hot wire into the water after — it stays hot longer than you think.
Do not bring patakhe from India. Fireworks without German/EU approval are not allowed here, and they are not allowed in your suitcase on the plane either.
Sweets without an Indian halwai nearby
If you live in a big city, order your mithai box from the Indian shop early — by Wednesday of that week. Ask when you can pick it up, because Saturday will be busy.
If there is no Indian shop near you, two sweets are easy with German supermarket things:
- Besan ladoo — Kichererbsenmehl (chickpea flour), butter or ghee, and powdered sugar (Puderzucker). That is it.
- Coconut barfi — Kokosraspeln (desiccated coconut) and a tin of sweetened condensed milk (gezuckerte Kondensmilch). Twenty minutes in one pan.
A small box for your German neighbours
This is my favourite part. Put four or five sweets in a small box and leave it at your neighbour's door with a short note. Germans often do not know Diwali, and most of them really like this. It also makes things easier if your guests are a bit loud — and remember, the quiet time (Nachtruhe) starts at 22:00.
You can copy this note:
Liebe Nachbarn, heute feiern wir Diwali, das indische Lichterfest. Wir möchten die Freude mit Ihnen teilen. Guten Appetit und herzliche Grüße! Familie ________
Meaning: Dear neighbours, today we celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. We want to share the joy with you. Enjoy, and warm wishes! Family ________
My Diwali shopping list
These are search links, so you see all the options and today's price on Amazon.de. Prices change often, so compare a few before you buy.
- LED diyasFor windows and the door. No flame, no worry.See price
- Warm-white light chain with timerSwitches itself off, so it is not on all night.See price
- Metal tray for real diyasPut the puja diyas on this, not on wood or cloth.See price
- Rangoli colours or stencilsStencils make it quick, even for small kids.See price
- Wunderkerzen (phuljhadi)The only "fireworks" you can buy in November.See price
- Small sweet boxesFor the neighbours' mithai and for guests to take home.See price
- Smoke alarm (Rauchmelder)If yours beeps or is missing, fix it before the diyas come out.See price
Als Amazon-Partner verdiene ich an qualifizierten Verkäufen. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases — you pay nothing extra.
Quick answers
When is Diwali 2026?
The main day is Sunday 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is Friday 6 November and Bhai Dooj is Tuesday 10 November.
Can I light real diyas in my rented flat?
Yes, inside your flat there is no general ban. Never leave the flame alone, keep it away from curtains, and check your Hausordnung for balcony and stairwell rules.
Can I buy fireworks for Diwali?
Not rockets or bombs — those are only sold 29 to 31 December. Sparklers (Wunderkerzen) are sold all year.
Is Diwali a holiday in Germany?
No. It is a normal working day for schools and jobs. This year the main day is a Sunday, which makes it easier.
Wishing you and your family a bright, safe Diwali — and a happy Bandi Chhor Divas. If this guide helped, share it with one family who is spending their first Diwali in Germany this year.