Diwali, the Festival of Lights, falls on Sunday, November 8 in 2026, and the celebration stretches across five days, so there is more than one good night for a party. Many hosts invite friends for the weekend before or after the main night. The invitation does the heavy lifting: it says which night you are celebrating, what the evening will look like and what to wear, and it usually travels as a WhatsApp or text message.
This guide gives you Diwali party invitation wording you can copy, from a classic invitation to short WhatsApp messages, plus lines for neighbors and friends who are new to Diwali, and tips on timing. When you are ready, you can send it as a video invitation that guests answer from their browser. To build one in a few minutes, try the video invitation maker.
A Quick Note on Diwali Dates and Who Celebrates
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, and each community has its own stories and traditions around it. Common threads include lighting diyas (small clay lamps), decorating doorways with rangoli, sharing sweets (mithai) and gathering with family and friends. There are also separate guides to why use a digital invitation? 9 reasons it makes events feel more special, bear community event invitations for picnics, socials and meetups, and chosen family field day invitations for playful outdoor gatherings.
In 2026 the main night, the evening of Lakshmi Puja, is Sunday, November 8. The five days usually run from Dhanteras on Friday, November 6 to Bhai Dooj on November 10 or 11, depending on where you are and which calendar your family follows. Dates shift every year, so confirm them with your own family or community calendar before you set the date.
Because Diwali has religious meaning for many people, write your invitation in your own voice. Say what your household does, and make clear which parts are optional for guests.
What to Put on a Diwali Party Invitation
- Which night you are celebrating. “Pre-Diwali party,” “Diwali night” or “post-Diwali get-together” keeps guests from wondering whether you are marking the main day.
- Date, start time and end time, or a drop-in window if it is an open house.
- Address, parking and entry notes. If you would like shoes off at the door, say so kindly.
- What the evening includes: lighting the diyas, a short puja, snacks, dinner, music, cards or games.
- Food notes. Say if the menu is vegetarian and whether alcohol will be served, so guests are never surprised.
- Dress. “Festive. Indian outfits are welcome, not required.”
- Kids and plus-ones. Say who is invited.
- What to bring. Nothing, a favorite sweet or a dish to share.
- RSVP deadline and how to reply.
Diwali Party Invitation Wording to Copy
Classic and warm
Join us for Diwali!
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with the Patel family.
Saturday, November 7 · 6:30 pm · 41 Maple Court
We will light the diyas at 7, then share dinner and sweets.
Festive attire welcome. Please RSVP by November 3.
We would love to have you with us as we light the lamps and welcome the new season with family and friends.
Sunday, November 8 · 7 pm · Dinner and mithai to follow.
Happy Diwali from our home to yours.
Casual, for friends
Diwali party at ours! 🪔
Saturday, 7 pm. Lights, sweets, snacks and good company.
Wear something festive (or just come as you are). Let me know if you’re in by Wednesday!
Our yearly Diwali get-together is back. Come hungry, stay late. Cards after dinner for anyone who wants a round.
Saturday, November 14 · 6 pm · RSVP by the 10th.
Open house, drop in any time
Diwali Open House
Stop by anytime between 4 and 8 pm on Saturday, November 7. Say hello, light a diya, try the sweets and head on to your next stop.
No need to bring anything. Kids welcome.
Pre-Diwali and post-Diwali parties
Not everyone can host on the main night, and that is fine. Name the date plainly so your guests know what to expect.
Pre-Diwali party on Saturday, November 7. We will be celebrating at home with our family on Sunday, and we would love to light the first lamps with you.
Post-Diwali get-together, Saturday, November 14. The festival days have passed, but the sweets are still in the kitchen. Come celebrate with us.
For neighbors and friends who are new to Diwali
Hi neighbors! This Sunday is Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which our family celebrates every year. We would love for you to join us from 5 to 8 pm on Saturday to see the lamps, taste some homemade sweets and say hello.
Everyone is welcome, no experience needed. Wear whatever is comfortable. We will have vegetarian food and juice.
A line or two of context is welcome and never condescending. Keep it about hospitality, not a lecture: who you are, what the evening looks like and that you would be happy to answer questions.
Playful
Let there be light (and snacks). 🪔 Come to our Diwali party on Saturday at 7. Sparklers optional, sweets guaranteed.
Diwali WhatsApp and Text Messages
Many Diwali invitations are sent by WhatsApp or text, so keep the first message short and put the details up front. Here are messages you can paste and edit.
The invitation
- “Happy Diwali! We’re hosting a small get-together on Saturday, Nov 7 at 6:30 pm. Dinner, sweets and lots of lights. Can you make it?”
- “Diwali party at our place this Saturday from 7. Bring yourself (and an appetite). Reply here or on the link below.”
- “You are invited to our Diwali celebration on Sunday, Nov 8, 7 pm. Family and close friends, simple and cozy. Hope you can join!”
The reminder
- “Reminder: Diwali get-together this Saturday at 6:30. Please let me know if you’re coming so I can plan the food.”
- “One day to go! Doors open at 6:30, and the diyas go on at 7. Parking is on the street, shoes off at the door if you don’t mind.”
Day-of message
- “Today’s the day! We’re all set at 41 Maple Court. See you at 6:30. Happy Diwali!”
After the party
- “Thank you for celebrating with us. It meant so much to have you there. Wishing you a bright year ahead.”
If your invitation is a link, add one line explaining what it does: “Tap the link to see the invitation and let us know if you’re coming.”
Greetings to End Your Message With
“Happy Diwali” is understood everywhere. Many families also write “Shubh Diwali” or “Shubh Deepavali,” where “shubh” means auspicious. Some use a greeting in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil or another language of the family. Use whichever feels natural to you and your guests.
Dress Code, Shoes and Food: Lines Worth Adding
Small details make guests comfortable, especially people who have never been to a Diwali party.
- Dress: “Dress festive. Traditional outfits are welcome but not expected.”
- Shoes: “We keep our shoes at the door, so wear socks you like.”
- Food: “The menu is vegetarian.” Or: “Vegetarian options are marked.”
- Alcohol: “We’re keeping it alcohol-free this year,” or “BYOB welcome.” Either is fine when it is clear.
- Fireworks and sparklers: only if they are legal where you live and safe for your guests. If you are unsure, skip them and let the lamps do the work.
- Kids: “Kids welcome. We’ll have a rangoli corner for them.”
For help with invitation text in general, our guide to party invitation text messages has more phrasing, and the holiday open house invitations guide covers drop-in timing. Planning a seated meal? See our Diwali dinner invitation wording. For a workplace celebration, see office Diwali celebration invitations.
When to Send Diwali Invitations
Send invitations two to three weeks ahead when you can. Diwali weekends fill up quickly. If you are inviting this week, send the message now with a short reply deadline of a few days, and follow up with one friendly reminder two days before. Our RSVP reminder wording guide has polite follow-ups that do not feel pushy.
Send It as a Video Invitation
With TwistInvite, you create the invitation in the app. For a Diwali evening, 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 details. You can also upload your own photos or videos, import a song, or hold to record a voice message with your greeting.
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, no password, no verification and no app to download. You can ask for their email, which is optional, and how many people are coming, so you know how much food to make. Learn more about online invitations with RSVP, or get TwistInvite and choose a festive evening design for your own Diwali party.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you write on a Diwali party invitation?
The date and time, which night you are celebrating (pre-Diwali, Diwali night or post-Diwali), the address, what the evening includes, food and dress notes, who is invited, what to bring and an RSVP deadline.
Should I invite people on the day of Diwali or on a weekend?
Either works. The main night in 2026 is Sunday, November 8, and many hosts also celebrate on the weekend before or after. Name the date clearly in the invitation so guests know whether it is the main night.
How early should I send Diwali invitations?
Two to three weeks ahead is ideal. If you are closer to the date, send it as soon as you can with a short RSVP deadline and one reminder.
Do I need to explain Diwali to guests who have never been?
A line or two is helpful and kind: who you are, what the evening looks like and that everyone is welcome. Keep it warm and short, and be happy to answer questions in person.
Can guests RSVP without an account or app?
Yes. With TwistInvite, guests open the shared 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 Invitation?
Create your Diwali invitation in the TwistInvite app, add your details 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.