The Netherlands has four main public Diwali festivals: free open-air festivals in Amstelveen and Almere, a ticketed indoor family festival at de Doelen in Rotterdam, and a smaller community evening in Zaandam. In 2026 they take place between 25 October and 13 November.
Each one offers a different way to experience the Festival of Lights. This guide helps you choose the one that suits you, whether you want a free family day out, an evening with fireworks, a seated indoor programme or a quieter community gathering. For every Diwali event listed on desibiz.nl, including smaller ones, see all Diwali events in The Netherlands. If you want to know when Diwali itself falls and why the date moves, read When Is Diwali 2026?
Which Diwali Festival Suits You
| Festival | City | Format | Entry | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diwali Festival Amstelveen | Amstelveen | Outdoor, daytime | Free | A full family day with food, shopping, workshops and performances |
| Almere Diwali Festival | Almere | Outdoor, afternoon into evening | Free | A big outdoor celebration that has closed with fireworks in past editions |
| APNA Divali Familie Festival | Rotterdam | Indoor concert hall | Ticketed | A seated programme with an Indian-Surinamese-Dutch focus |
| Indian Light Festival, Divali | Zaandam | Indoor, evening | See organiser | A smaller, community-focused evening |
A few simple rules of thumb:
- Want a free day out with children? Amstelveen and Almere are both free and family friendly.
- Want fireworks? Almere has closed its festival with a fireworks show in past editions.
- Want a seat indoors, whatever the weather? The Rotterdam festival at de Doelen is the one ticketed, indoor option.
- Want something smaller and quieter? The Zaandam evening is built around community and cultural exchange rather than a large public festival.
- Want to celebrate more than once? The dates are spread over about three weeks, so you can combine two festivals.
Diwali Festival Dates in 2026
| Festival | Date | Venue | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APNA Divali Familie Festival | Sunday 25 October 2026 | de Doelen, Grote Zaal, Schouwburgplein 50, Rotterdam | 13:00 to 23:00 | From about €10.50 to €40, depending on ticket category |
| Diwali Festival Amstelveen | Saturday 31 October 2026 | Handelsplein, Amstelveen | Recent editions ran from 12:00 to 19:00 | Free |
| Almere Diwali Festival | Saturday 31 October 2026 | Esplanade, Almere Stad | Early afternoon into the evening | Free |
| Indian Light Festival, Divali | Friday 13 November 2026 | Zaantheater, Zaandam | Evening | See the organiser's website |
Organisers can change details as they finalise their programmes, so check each festival's own website or social channels a few days before you go. We update this table every year once the new dates are published.
What to Expect at Each Festival
Diwali Festival Amstelveen
One of the longest-running Indian cultural events in The Netherlands, grown over more than fifteen editions into a full day of music, dance, food and shopping. Expect live performances, cultural workshops, Indian food and a market with clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, sweets and festive decorations. In 2026 it moves to Handelsplein.
Almere Diwali Festival
A large outdoor celebration on the Esplanade in the centre of Almere, mixing traditional Diwali elements with modern entertainment. Expect Bollywood-influenced music and dance, a Diwali bazaar, food stalls and family activities through the afternoon, with a fireworks show at the end of past editions.
APNA Divali Familie Festival, Rotterdam
The one ticketed, indoor event of the four, held in the Grote Zaal of de Doelen. Its programme celebrates the shared heritage of the Indian and Surinamese communities, with live music, Indian and Surinamese food, yoga demonstrations and a sari show.
Indian Light Festival, Divali, Zaandam
Organised by the Indian Light Foundation, a Zaandam-based organisation that supports women, children and communities in India and Suriname. It is the smallest and latest of the four, about two weeks after the big festivals, which makes it a good second celebration of the season.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Check details shortly before you go. Exact opening hours and ticket tiers can change as organisers finalise their programmes.
- Book ahead for Rotterdam. Seating at de Doelen is limited compared with an open-air festival.
- Choose between Amstelveen and Almere, or split the day. In 2026 both are on Saturday 31 October.
- Dress for the weather. Amstelveen and Almere are outdoor events in late October.
- Plan your journey. The 9292 journey planner shows public transport routes to each venue.
Shopping and Services for Diwali
Diwali is one of the few times of the year when demand for Indian sweets, festive clothing, decorations and catering rises across the whole community at once. Use the DesiBiz directory to find businesses near you before the festive weekend. If you run one of these businesses, list it on DesiBiz so the community can find you while they plan their Diwali.
References
- Diwali Festival Amstelveen, official festival website
- Diwali Festival, Visit Amstelveen
- Diwali Festival vindt voor de zestiende keer plaats op Stadsplein Amstelveen, Amstelveens Nieuwsblad
- Diwali Festival, Visit Almere
- Almere Diwali festival met Pyro vuurwerkshow op Esplanade, Almere Deze Week
- Almere Diwali Festival, VBA Agenda
- APNA Divali Familie Festival 2026, de Doelen (official)
- APNA Divali Familie Festival 2026, Tourspider
- APNA Divali Familie Festival 2026, Uitagenda Rotterdam
- Indian Light Festival, Divali, Festivalinfo
- Indian Light Foundation, official website
- 9292 public transport journey planner
More in this series: Festivals and community
- When Is Diwali 2026? Date and Traditions in The NetherlandsDiwali 2026 falls on 8 November. Learn why the date moves every year and how the Indian community in The Netherlands celebrates it.
- Garba and Dandiya in The Netherlands: A Beginner's GuideNew to Garba and Dandiya? Learn what the dances mean, who organises Garba nights in The Netherlands and how to join in as a beginner.
- Indian Temples and Holy Places in the Netherlands: A Community GuideHindu mandirs, Sikh gurudwaras, ISKCON temples and Kerala Christian parishes serving Indian communities across the Netherlands, with addresses and visitor tips.
- Why Community Matters More Than You Expect When You Move AbroadA widely cited survey found 52% of expats in the Netherlands struggle to make local friends. Here is why community becomes the real infrastructure of settling in.
- Indian Migration to the Netherlands: 8-Year Trends, Population & Where They LiveHow many Indians live in the Netherlands today, how fast the community has grown since 2016, and where most are settling, based on official CBS data.
- Best Cities for Indian Expats in the NetherlandsAmsterdam, Eindhoven, Rotterdam, and The Hague each suit a different kind of expat life. Here is what actually sets them apart.
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