Celebrating Indian Festivals Abroad with Kids: Diwali, Navratri and Holi Far from Home

In India, a festival announces itself. The markets fill up weeks ahead, the neighbourhood is decorated, schools close, relatives arrive, and the whole city seems to celebrate at once. Abroad, a festival can arrive on a Tuesday when everyone has school and work, with no lights on the street and no one around who knows what day it is.

For children growing up abroad, that difference matters. If festivals pass unnoticed, children grow up thinking of them as something that happens somewhere else. But with a little planning, Indian festivals can become some of the most memorable days of a child’s year, wherever you live. Here is how to do it for the big three: Diwali, Navratri and Holi.

The general principles

Mark the actual day, and celebrate on the weekend. Most Indian festivals follow the lunar calendar and often fall on school days. Do something small on the day itself, a lamp, a story, a special meal, and hold the bigger celebration on the nearest weekend when everyone can take part.

Build the anticipation. In India, the build-up is half the fun. Abroad, you have to create it: a countdown calendar, preparing decorations together, making sweets, telling one story each evening in the week before.

Tell the story. Every festival has its stories, and children who know them experience the festival far more deeply.

Find community. Even a few families celebrating together makes a festival feel real. Temples, community associations and cultural groups usually hold events, and many cities now hold public celebrations.

Diwali abroad

Diwali falls in October or November. In the northern hemisphere, it comes as evenings draw in, which makes the lamps especially beautiful. In Australia and New Zealand, it falls in spring.

Clean and decorate the home together in the week before. Let children paint diyas and draw a rangoli at the door. Make one or two traditional sweets as a family. Light diyas on the evening of Lakshmi Puja and do a simple puja together. Over the five days, tell the five stories: Dhanvantari, Narakasura, Rama’s return, Govardhan and Yama and Yamuna.

Fireworks rules vary a great deal between countries and cities, and in many places home fireworks are restricted or need care with neighbours. Diyas, fairy lights and lanterns can be just as magical, and many cities hold public Diwali events with organised displays.

Diwali is increasingly recognised abroad. Some school districts, such as New York City public schools, now observe it as a holiday, and many cities hold large public celebrations. Check what your area offers.

Navratri abroad

Navratri usually falls in September or October. In many cities with large Gujarati communities, especially in the USA, the UK and Canada, garba and dandiya nights are held in community halls, sports centres and hotel ballrooms, sometimes on a very large scale. Taking children to garba is one of the most joyful ways to experience the festival.

Different regions celebrate Navratri differently, and you can share your own family’s tradition: Durga Puja for Bengali families, Golu, the display of dolls on steps, for many Tamil, Telugu and Kannada families, Saraswati Puja and Vidyarambham in the south, and the burning of Ravana on Dussehra in the north. Making a small Golu at home, with a few dolls on a stepped shelf, is a lovely activity for children.

Holi abroad

Holi falls in February or March. In much of the northern hemisphere, it is still cold, so many families and communities celebrate it later, on a warmer spring weekend, or indoors. In Australia it falls in autumn, which can be ideal weather.

Tell the story of Prahlad and Holika the night before, perhaps around a candle or a small, safe fire if you have an outdoor space and local rules allow it. On the day, a small gathering of friends in a garden or park with natural colours is joyful at any scale. Many temples and community groups hold public Holi celebrations.

A festival is not made by a city decorating itself. It is made by a family deciding that today is special, and telling their children why.

Involving school

Tell your child’s teacher about the festival ahead of time. Many schools welcome parents who offer to talk to the class, read a story, help with a rangoli or bring in something to share. Check the school’s rules on food and allergies before bringing sweets.

Children often feel a great deal of pride explaining their festival to classmates, and it helps their friends understand them better. It also turns the festival from something a child does at home into part of their whole life.

Keeping the meaning at the centre

Abroad, festivals can sometimes become mostly about food and clothes. Those are part of the joy. But the stories, prayers and values are what give a festival its meaning, and what a child will carry forward. A shloka learned for Diwali, a story told on Holika Dahan, a prayer said during Navratri: these are the things that last.

Above all, start your own traditions. Abroad, no one will hand you a ready-made festival, which also means you are free to create one that fits your family: a special meal, a particular story, a walk to see the lights. In a few years, those will be your children’s traditions.

Our live online classes in Indian culture, storytelling and shlokas help children understand the festivals they celebrate, with the stories and meanings behind each one. If you would like your child to learn with a mentor, enquire about our classes through the Book a Class page. You can read more on our For NRI families page, and fees are listed on our Pricing page.