A Diwali dinner is one of the simplest ways to celebrate: a table of family and friends, lamps burning, and a lot of food. In 2026 the main night of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is Sunday, November 8, and the celebration runs for about five days, so you can choose the dinner night that works for everyone. (Planning a drop-in party instead? See our Diwali party invitation wording.) What the invitation needs to say is a little different from a general party invitation. Guests want to know when to arrive, what will be served, whether there is a puja, what to wear and what to bring.
This guide gives you Diwali dinner invitation wording for family gatherings, friends, potlucks and a Diwali lunch or brunch, plus WhatsApp messages and the details worth adding so every guest feels comfortable.
Choose the Kind of Diwali Gathering
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, with customs that vary by region and family. Your gathering might be any of these, and each needs slightly different wording:
- A family dinner, often with relatives traveling in, and sometimes a short puja before the meal.
- A dinner with friends, relaxed and seated, with sweets to finish.
- A potluck, where each household brings a dish to share.
- A Diwali lunch or brunch, a good choice for older relatives and small children.
What to Put on a Diwali Dinner Invitation
- Date and arrival time. If there is a puja first, say so: “Puja at 6:30, dinner at 7:30. Join for both or arrive for dinner.”
- The address, parking and shoes. If your household takes shoes off, mention it.
- The menu in one line: “vegetarian,” “North Indian dishes and sweets” or “a South Indian feast.”
- Dietary needs. Ask about allergies, vegetarian and vegan preferences, and any foods guests avoid for religious reasons.
- Drinks. Tea, juice, wine or alcohol-free, so guests know.
- Dress: “Festive, comfortable and warm.”
- Kids and plus-ones.
- What to bring. Nothing, a box of sweets or a dish, and a note that a host gift is never expected.
- The RSVP deadline and the number of people coming.
Diwali Dinner Invitation Wording to Copy
For a family dinner
Diwali dinner with the family
Come celebrate Diwali with us on Saturday, November 7 at 6:30 pm.
We will light the diyas together, share a vegetarian dinner and finish with sweets.
Dress festive and comfortable. Children are very welcome.
Please let us know how many will be coming by Wednesday, November 4.
Our home is lit and the table is set. Join us for Diwali dinner on Sunday, November 8 at 7 pm, after the evening puja. Come hungry. Happy Diwali!
For friends
Diwali dinner at my place! 🪔
Saturday, Nov 14 at 7 pm. I’m cooking a vegetarian spread and there will be plenty of sweets. Let me know about allergies and anything you don’t eat. Wear something festive if you like. Reply by Wednesday!
For friends who have never celebrated Diwali
We’d love to share our Diwali with you. Diwali is the Festival of Lights, and our family celebrates by lighting lamps, eating together and sharing sweets. Join us for dinner on Saturday at 7 pm. No experience needed, just bring yourself. The food is vegetarian, and I’m happy to answer any questions.
For a Diwali potluck
Diwali potluck, Saturday at 6 pm.
Bring a vegetarian dish or a box of sweets to share. Sign up in the group chat so we don’t end up with five rice dishes. I’ll provide drinks, plates and tea. Please label any nuts or dairy.
For more bring-a-dish phrasing, see our holiday potluck invitation wording.
For a Diwali lunch or brunch
Join us for a Diwali lunch on Sunday, November 8 at 12:30 pm. Light food, sweets and chai. We will keep it short and sweet before the evening puja. Kids and grandparents welcome.
Food Lines That Help Guests
Food is the heart of a Diwali meal, and a few lines in the invitation prevent awkward moments at the table:
- Say what kind of menu it is. “Vegetarian,” “vegetarian and egg-free,” “no onion or garlic” or “mixed.”
- Mention alcohol, either way.
- Ask about restrictions in the RSVP, not at the door. “Any allergies or foods you avoid?”
- Spice level. “Mild, with spicy chutneys on the side.”
- Sweets. Many families exchange mithai with guests. If you would like guests to take some home, say so; if you do not want gifts, say that too.
What to Bring: Lines for Guests
Guests often search for what to bring to a Diwali dinner, so answer it before they ask. Options:
- “Just yourselves. Nothing needed.”
- “If you’d like to bring something, a box of sweets or fruit is lovely.”
- “Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.”
- “No host gifts, please. Your company is the gift.”
Reply and Reminder Messages
- “We’re thrilled you can join us! Dinner is at 7:30, with the puja at 6:30 if you’d like to come early.”
- “Quick reminder: Diwali dinner is tomorrow at 7. Parking is on the street. Let me know about any food allergies.”
- “Thank you for celebrating with us. Wishing you a bright, happy year.”
Our dinner invitation text message guide has more short messages, and the dinner party invitation wording guide covers general dinner details.
When to Send Diwali Dinner Invitations
Send two to three weeks ahead, especially if relatives are traveling. Diwali weekends fill fast. If you are closer to the date, send now and ask for a quick headcount. A reminder two days before, with the arrival time and the plan for the puja, is plenty.
Send It as a Video Invitation
With TwistInvite, you create the invitation in the app. For a Diwali dinner, Diwali Palace Lights is a video design with lit diyas, a rangoli pattern and fireworks over a palace at night. You replace the sample text with your date, address and menu note. You can also upload your own family photos or videos, import a song, or hold to record a voice message with your greeting, a nice touch for relatives who live far away.
Share one link by WhatsApp or SMS. Guests open it in their browser and choose Going, Can’t make it or Maybe, with no account, password or verification, and no app to download. You can ask for an email (optional) and the party size, which makes it easy to plan how much to cook. For more on how the replies work, see online invitations with RSVP, or browse dinner party invitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you write on a Diwali dinner invitation?
The date and arrival time, whether there is a puja before dinner, the address, a one-line description of the menu, dietary questions, dress, whether kids and plus-ones are welcome, what to bring and an RSVP deadline.
What should guests bring to a Diwali dinner?
It is up to the host. Many guests bring a box of sweets or fruit, and potluck hosts ask for a dish. Say clearly in the invitation whether you would like anything, so guests do not have to guess.
What should guests wear to a Diwali dinner?
Festive and comfortable. Traditional Indian outfits are welcome but not required. Mention the dress in your invitation, and mention shoes if you ask guests to remove them.
How do I invite friends who have never celebrated Diwali?
Add a line about what Diwali is and what the evening will look like, say the food and the event are open to everyone and offer to answer questions. Keep the tone warm and low-pressure.
Can guests RSVP without an account or app?
Yes. Guests open the TwistInvite link in their browser and answer Going, Can’t make it or Maybe, with no account, no password and no verification. Email is optional.
Ready to Send Your Diwali Dinner Invitation?
Create your Diwali invitation in the TwistInvite app and share one link by WhatsApp or SMS. Get started with TwistInvite.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.