Diwali 2024: Festivals of Light at Popular Places for Indians in the USA

Diwali 2024: Festivals of Light at Popular Places for Indians in the USA

snigdhrani
October 8, 2024

Globally, Indian communities in the USA are preparing to host massive Diwali parties as the Festival of Lights dates for 2024 draw near. Many people associate Diwali with happiness, the celebration of the family, and numerous traditions. It’s a festival symbolized by lighting diyas, worshipping Lakshmi, bursting firecrackers, and having different foods.

Over here in the foreign country, this festival is also an attempt to try to link with the Indian roots. Regardless of your purpose of travel: to visit family, to attend Diwali Mela, or to participate in temple prayers, here is the list of places that will host Diwali 2024 in the USA. We’ll also describe where to look for non-stop flights, last flights, and other Diwali flight offers for people who want to travel during the festive season.

1. New York City, New York: Diwali at Times Square

The city of New York celebrates Diwali in one of the biggest ways all over the USA, with thousands of people in attendance each year. Diwali in New York’s Times Square celebration, lights up a section of the heart of the world capital, creating color, sparkle, and sound.
This festival could include traditional dances of India, Bollywood music, foods and beverages, and acrimonious fireworks show.

Indeed, several airlines fly from India to New York for this grand event, offering non-stop flights for the major cities of the country such as Delhi and Mumbai. Festivals in some cases mean high prices for the tickets, especially if a person decides to purchase a ticket just a few days before the show. Diwali is one of the busiest festive seasons so it is advised to look for the deals on the flights as early bird catches the worm. If the distance is long enough, and you’re able to invest in business class tickets to New York, you get the best kind of travel experience.

2. San Francisco Bay Area, California: Diwali Mela and Temple Celebrations

Another region that sure knows how to celebrate Diwali is the Bay Area. Both the Hindu Temple in Sunnyvale and Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore host heavy participation in Diwali puja and the cultural shows keep thousands of families pleased. Among them, is Diwali Mela in Fremont which is the event of the celebration of the Indian community, where the community spends its time eating, having fun with music, and shopping.

San Francisco is a popular destination with connections to the rest of the world, hence securing last-minute flights or non-stop flights from India to the Bay Area should not be hard at all. However, it is also captured that tickets are commonly more expensive as the dates for the festival approaches. Thus, for any person intending to get a better deal, it is usually advisable to book in advance. There is also a business class for those who have a good budget and want to have what they refer to as a comfortable journey, especially when traveling as a family.

3. Chicago, Illinois: Devon Avenue’s Diwali Buzz

Devon Avenue in Chicago is a hub of the Diwali festival, people celebrate it by lighting lamps, food vendors, and cultural shows. Perhaps the most popular among these celebrations is the Devon Avenue Diwali Mela where you get all from Indian sweets, henna art inclusive.

Also, a considerable number attend Balaji temple in Aurora for the extra Diwali prayers and celebrations using firecrackers. Chicago O’Hare is one of America’s most active airports, and from India, several flights have direct connection to this airport and in case you book early, you can get good Diwali flights. Families and those who would prefer a luxurious experience on the plane should opt for business-class tickets.

4. Houston, Texas: Deepavali in Sugar Land

Houston is one of the places in the USA having more South Asian population; hence, Diwali festival celebrations here are enormous. Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland, Texas celebrates Diwali with an annual event called the Pearland Diwali where people get to watch plays, and fireworks and enjoy Indian food; Sugar Land Town Square also holds an annual event known as Diwali Mela. Thousands of Hindu families living in Greater Houston (HGH) also arrange annual citywide celebrations for the Festival of Light.

Looking for last-minute flights or Diwali flight deals when you plan to fly to Houston for Diwali 2024? It is ideal to begin this search as early as possible. The connectivity between Houston and India is quite good with several flights operating non-stop service and Business class airfare can make the long flight much more tolerable for families flying to this city to celebrate this special event.

5. Los Angeles, California: Diwali in SoCal

The city of Los Angeles which comprises many ethnic groups as well as cultural activities has also extravagant Diwali festivities. Of course, the Hollywood Bowl Diwali Festival remains the showstopper: with live performances, delicious Indian food and refreshments, and a fireworks show that brightens up Southern California’s night sky. Like the Malibu Hindu Temple in LA, many other Hindu temples offer Balinese performers to conduct Lakshmi Puja as a religious celebration of Diwali.

Getting to LA: There are direct flights from most major cities of India and the number of days in advance one book for a flight, and price differs. Taking flights during Diwali is also not very expensive; however, the best chance to get the best flight prices is if one’s flexible with the day of travel. It is preferred to purchase business class tickets, especially for those who are going to spend many hours on a plane.

6. Dallas, Texas: Organizing Diwali Mela at the stadiums: a case study of Cotton Bowl Stadium

Thus, Diwali in Dallas is at its high with Diwali Mela welcoming all lovers of the Indian festival of lights at the famed Cotton Bowl Stadium. This has affirmation concerts for live music, food vendors, IVM fireworks, and even a fun fair-like setting. Like most Hindu Temples, the DFW Hindu Temple and the Radha Krishna Temple also conduct arguably Deepavali 2024 pujas and community feasts.

Those planning to travel to Dallas for the festival can find non-stop flights from India, and the earliest booking has heavier ticket prices. Business class tickets are important as they offer first-class travel for those traveling with families. It is advisable to search for last-minute flights or Diwali flight offers since many of the airlines have their festivities fares.

7. Washington, D.C.: Diwali at the Smithsonian

While people do not associate Washington D.C. with Diwali celebrations, the Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art holds a rather peculiar Diwali event annually. In addition to souvenirs, visitors are provided with an opportunity to attend dance recitals, learn how to create a piece of art based on the works of Jain icons, and explore the importance of the Festival of Lights therefore it can be beneficial to both as a cultural and festive attraction.

Several airlines connect all major Indian cities directly to Washington D.C, but it is wise to begin searching for Diwali flights several months in advance. In order to make the whole journey as comfortable and entertaining as possible, it is always best for those who made the journey across from a distance to take Business class tickets.

One can look forward to a celebration of Diwali in the year 2024 as the festival is sure to bring communal joy for Indians in America and all Canadians. Today, the lights of the New Year’s Eve of Times Square can be compared to the shoppers at Diwali Melas of today in cities such as Houston and Dallas, the Festival of Lights will and has always remained a platform to unite people and spread the joy of togetherness.

Whether you are going to spend Diwali with your family or planning to witness some of the biggest cultural events, then you should reserve your nonstop flights, search for some Diwali flight deals, and try to book your business class tickets in advance if you want to have an ache-free journey. Happy Diwali!
 

Frequently asked questions on Diwali 2024

1) What are the best cities in the U.S. to celebrate Diwali?

Ans: Popular cities include New York, San Francisco, and Houston, where large Indian communities host grand Diwali events.

2) What are some top venues for Diwali events in the U.S.?

Ans: The South Street Seaport in NYC, SAP Center in San Jose, and Dallas Fort Worth Temple are known for major Diwali celebrations.

3) Are there Diwali fireworks displays in the U.S.?

Ans: Yes, cities like Los Angeles and Fremont, CA, host special Diwali fireworks and cultural shows during the festival.

4) When is Diwali 2024 in the U.S.?

Ans: Diwali in the U.S. will be celebrated on Friday, November 1st, 2024. However, many U.S. cities and communities host Diwali events and festivals in the days surrounding this date.

5) What are the best places for Diwali shopping in the U.S.?

Ans: You can find Diwali markets in places like Jackson Heights (NYC) and Devon Avenue (Chicago) for ethnic wear, sweets, and decor.