Diwali season is in full swing in Houston, with restaurants, museums, temples, and more, honoring the Hindu New Year and Festival of Lights with great ceremony. This year, Diwali falls on Tuesday, October 21, as per the Hindu lunar calendar, and the month is packed with festive social gatherings, themed menus, night markets, and cultural performances that showcase the spirit of the holiday and the victory of eternal light over darkness.
As Houston’s Diwali season continues to unfold, these gatherings promise warmth, light, and togetherness for all.
Raja Sweets
As the unofficial destination for Diwali mithai in Houston’s Mahatma Gandhi District, Raja Sweets will be selling Diwali gift boxes and cards at the shop through Tuesday, October 21 (remaining open for regular business hours, despite typically being closed on Tuesdays.) The shop will also host a local artist who will be selling handmade diyas from 12 to 7 p.m. on the weekend, as well as fresh paan for purchase. 5667 Hillcroft Ave., Houston, rajasweets.co
Musaafer
From Tuesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 21, Musaafer is offering a special Diwali menu inspired by the arts of rangoli and mandala. Each dish in the six-course menu pays homage to a specific region of India and highlights the Diwali theme of light over darkness. Using spiced powders, floral garnishes, and painted diyas, the menu blurs the lines between food and art. The limited time menu is $120 per person. For night owls looking to party, Musaafer will also host a Bollywood Burnout Diwali party on Friday, October 24 at 10 p.m., featuring DJ Yogi G. 5115 Westheimer Rd., Houston, musaaferhouston.com
Sugar Land Town Square
Sugar Land Town Square is hosting its annual Fort Bend Diwali 2025 celebration on Friday, October 18, with festivities beginning in the main plaza at 5 p.m. The family-friendly event is free to attend and will feature traditional dance performances, food and drinks, and activities. 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land, sugarlandtownsquare.com
Amrina
Amrina is hosting its annual Diwali party at the restaurant on Sunday, October 19 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Seating starts at $85 for General Admission and includes Diwali-inspired appetizers, access to the buffet, and live entertainment including bhangra dancers, dhol performances, and belly dancers. Guests can also opt for a VIP table for groups of six or more that includes a complimentary glass of champagne or wine. 3 Waterway Sq. Pl. #100, The Woodlands, amrina.social
Da Gama
Da Gama is featuring a Diwali menu from Thursday, October 16 through Monday, October 20. The special offering includes a Gujarati thali made up of vegetarian dishes like curry, daal, and papadum, mango lassi, and Penda sweets. As a bonus, the restaurant is hosting a Diwali night market on Friday, October 17 with live music, henna artistry, and a variety of local vendors. 600 N. Shepherd Dr. Ste. 520, Houston, dagamahtx.com
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir
The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is hosting its Diwali & Annakut celebration on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 with festival activities, including a kids’ carnival, from 2 to 7 p.m. The festival will conclude with an awe-inspiring Unity light show at 7:45 p.m. 1150 Brand Ln. Stafford, baps.org/Global-Network/North-America/Houston.aspx
Kiran’s
Kiran’s is hosting its annual Diwali dinner buffet on Monday, October 20 from 5 to 10 p.m. The bountiful spread includes items like daal and mattar samosas, papadums with chutney, daal makhni, malai kofta with cashew nut sauce, poori, onion kulcha, and sweets like gulab jamun, rice pudding, and gajar halwa. The Diwali buffet is $95 per person, and $25 for children 10 and under. 2925 Richmond Ave. Ste. 160, Houston, kiranshouston.com
Asia Society Houston
On Sunday, October 26, Asia Society Houston is hosting a free, family-friendly Diwali Lights! festival, with a cultural program from 3 to 7 p.m., and a Ramayana performance from 5 to 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy complimentary ice cream from Gallivant Ice Cream, plus food and drink for purchase from Masala Munchies, Madras Pavillion, and Filli Café. Diwali fashion from Designs by Sippy, Disha Thadani, Poshak, and more will be on showcase, and there will be abundant activities for kids of all ages, including diya painting, henna, rangoli, and a photo booth. While the event is free to attend, the Ramayana performance, a cross-cultural production of the classic epic of the Ramayana, is $15 to attend. 370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, asiasociety.org/texas/events/diwali-lights
