Diwali is the Festival of Lights, and in 2026 the main night falls on Sunday, November 8. That is a weekend, so most workplaces that mark it will celebrate on a weekday nearby, with a team lunch, a sweets-and-snacks break, a potluck or an after-work gathering. Whoever organizes it, whether you are on a culture committee, an employee resource group, HR or just the person who said “let’s do something,” needs one clear invitation.
This guide gives you office Diwali invitation wording for emails, team chats and WhatsApp groups, plus lines for lunches, potlucks and a short puja, and tips to keep the celebration welcoming for everyone, including colleagues who do not celebrate.
Start With Who Celebrates and What You Are Planning
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, with traditions that differ by region and family. Lighting diyas (small clay lamps), decorating with rangoli and sharing sweets (mithai) are common to many celebrations. If you are organizing, ask colleagues who celebrate Diwali to shape the plan, rather than guessing what a good office celebration looks like.
Then decide on a format. Each one needs slightly different wording:
- Team lunch or potluck: easiest to organize and easy to join.
- Short celebration during a break: sweets, lights, a few words, then back to work.
- After-work get-together: better for colleagues who bring family.
- A short puja: only if the people who celebrate want it and your workplace allows it. Let them write the description.
What to Include in an Office Diwali Invitation
- Date, time and location, including the room, floor or video link for remote colleagues.
- What it is. “Diwali lunch,” “Diwali potluck,” “Diwali celebration and sweets.”
- A one-line explanation of Diwali, for colleagues who are new to it.
- That joining is optional, and that everyone is welcome.
- Food details: vegetarian, allergen labels, who is providing it or what to bring.
- Dress: “Festive is welcome; regular work clothes are fine.”
- Guests. Say whether colleagues can bring family or partners.
- RSVP deadline so the food order is right.
Because 2026’s main night is on a Sunday, avoid scheduling the office event on the evening of the main day itself, since many colleagues will be at home with family. A weekday before or after is usually easier.
Office Diwali Invitation Wording to Copy
Email to the whole office
Subject: You’re invited: Diwali celebration on Friday, November 6
Hi everyone,
Join us to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, on Friday, November 6 from 12:30 to 2 pm in the main kitchen on the 3rd floor.
Diwali is a festival of lights celebrated by many communities around the world. We will have diyas on the table, sweets and a vegetarian lunch from a local caterer.
Everyone is welcome, whether you celebrate or just want to join us for lunch. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 4 so we can order enough food.
Happy Diwali!
The Culture Committee
Other subject lines you can use: “Celebrate Diwali with us on Friday,” “Diwali lunch on Nov 6: please RSVP” and “Lights, sweets and lunch: our Diwali celebration.”
Short message for Slack or Teams
🪔 Diwali celebration this Friday, 12:30 in the 3rd-floor kitchen. Sweets, a vegetarian lunch and lots of lights. All welcome. React with ✅ if you’re coming so we can count!
Diwali lunch invitation
We’re celebrating Diwali with a team lunch on Thursday, November 5 at 12 pm in the conference room. Lunch is vegetarian, and all dishes will be labeled for allergens. Please let us know your food preferences by Tuesday. Happy early Diwali!
Potluck invitation
Diwali potluck on Friday! Bring a dish (vegetarian, please) or a box of sweets to share. Sign up in the shared sheet, and add a card with the name of the dish and any allergens. We’ll provide plates, napkins and tea.
Invitation to a short puja
Our colleagues who celebrate Diwali will hold a short Lakshmi Puja at 11 am on Friday in the quiet room. Everyone is welcome to join or simply to watch. Joining is entirely optional. Prasad (blessed sweets) will be shared afterward.
Evening gathering with families
Join us after work on Friday, November 6 at 5:30 pm for a Diwali get-together. Bring your family or a guest. We’ll have diyas, music, snacks and sweets. Please RSVP with the number of guests by Wednesday.
Message for remote colleagues
Remote teammates: join our Diwali celebration by video at 12:30 pm Eastern on Friday. We’ll share photos of our diyas and rangoli, and we’d love to see yours. Link in the invite. Happy Diwali!
WhatsApp Messages for Teams and Colleagues
Many teams coordinate on WhatsApp or text. Keep it brief and friendly:
- “Hi team! We’re celebrating Diwali with lunch on Friday at 12:30. All welcome. Please reply by Wednesday so we can plan the food. 🪔”
- “Diwali potluck tomorrow! Bring a vegetarian dish or sweets if you can. No pressure if you can’t.”
- “Happy Diwali, everyone! Thank you for joining us today. Sweets are in the kitchen until they’re gone.”
For client or vendor greetings, a short “Wishing you a bright and happy Diwali” message is usually enough. If you are unsure whether someone celebrates, ask a colleague who does or keep it simple and warm.
Tips for a Welcoming Workplace Celebration
- Keep it voluntary. Say that joining is optional, and do not expect anyone to explain their traditions.
- Let colleagues who celebrate lead. They know the details and what they want to share. Avoid costumes or stereotypes.
- Label the food. Mark vegetarian, vegan, nut-free and egg-free dishes. Some guests avoid onion and garlic, or eat no eggs or meat for religious reasons, so ask for dietary needs in the RSVP.
- Mind the calendar. Some colleagues take time off for Diwali. Avoid putting critical deadlines or all-hands meetings on those days.
- Include remote and hybrid teammates, with a video link or a photo thread.
- Be careful with alcohol and fireworks. Skip fireworks at the office, and say clearly if the event is alcohol-free.
- Follow up. A short thank-you message and a few photos make it feel like a real celebration.
For more on writing formal invitations for work events, see our guide to business event invitation wording, and our holiday party invitation email guide for email structure. For a Diwali party at home, see Diwali party invitation wording.
Send an Invitation Colleagues Can Answer in One Tap
Official announcements usually go out by company email or chat. For the invitation itself, TwistInvite lets you make a video invitation in the app and share one link by WhatsApp or SMS. For a Diwali gathering, Diwali Palace Lights is a video design with lit diyas, a rangoli pattern and fireworks over a palace at night. You add the date, place and a short greeting, and you can upload your own photos, import audio or hold to record a voice message.
Guests open the link in their browser and choose Going, Can’t make it or Maybe, with no account, password, verification or app download. You can ask for their email (optional) and how many people are coming, which helps with lunch orders and guest counts. See our RSVP website page for how guest replies work, or explore corporate event invitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you write in an office Diwali invitation?
The date, time and place, what the event is, a short one-line explanation of Diwali, a note that everyone is welcome and joining is optional, food and dietary details, whether guests can bring family and an RSVP deadline.
Should the whole company be invited to a Diwali celebration?
Usually yes, as an open invitation that makes clear joining is optional. Ask colleagues who celebrate Diwali to help plan it so it reflects their traditions.
What date should we choose for an office Diwali event?
The main night in 2026 is Sunday, November 8, with the five days running from about November 6 to 10 or 11. Pick a weekday around then, and avoid the evening of the main night, when many colleagues are with family.
How do I make Diwali celebrations welcoming for people who do not celebrate?
Say that everyone is welcome and that joining is optional, give a short, respectful explanation of the festival, label the food clearly and let colleagues who celebrate lead the way.
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 Plan Your Office Celebration?
Make your Diwali invitation in the TwistInvite app, then share one link with your team 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.