Diwali 2016 to 2025: Diwali Dates and the Top 10 Best-Selling Items of the Last 10 Years
Happy Diwali! In this festival of lights, let’s look at when Deepavali fell over the past decade and which products flew off the shelves every year.
Introduction: The Festival of Lights
Diwali, also called Deepavali or Deepawali, is India’s biggest and brightest festival. It is celebrated every year on the Amavasya (new moon) of the Hindu month of Kartik. According to tradition, Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and the people of Ayodhya welcomed them by lighting rows of ghee diyas. Ever since, families have lit diyas, drawn rangoli and performed Lakshmi Puja on this night.
Diwali is not limited to one community. Jains observe it as Mahavir Nirvan Diwas, Sikhs remember it as Bandi Chhor Divas, and in Bengal the same night is dedicated to Kali Puja. It is a festival that reflects the unity and diversity of India.
In this blog we will go through the Diwali dates from 2016 to 2025, note the Dhanteras date for each year, and then count down the Top 10 items that have dominated Diwali shopping across the decade.
Why Does the Diwali Date Change Every Year?
Diwali follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. It falls on the Amavasya tithi at the end of Ashwin and the start of Kartik, so it can land anywhere from mid-October to mid-November.
The Lakshmi Puja muhurat (auspicious time) is calculated using Pradosh Kaal and Sthir Lagna. When the Amavasya tithi stretches across two days, different cities and panchangs may differ by a day. Always confirm your local Diwali muhurat with your city’s panchang or your family pandit.
Diwali Dates for the Last 10 Years (2016 to 2025)
The table below lists the Diwali date and the Dhanteras date for each year from 2016 to 2025.
| Year | Dhanteras | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 28 October | 30 October | Sunday |
| 2017 | 17 October | 19 October | Thursday |
| 2018 | 5 November | 7 November | Wednesday |
| 2019 | 25 October | 27 October | Sunday |
| 2020 | 13 November | 14 November | Saturday |
| 2021 | 2 November | 4 November | Thursday |
| 2022 | 22 October | 24 October | Monday |
| 2023 | 10 November | 12 November | Sunday |
| 2024 | 29 October | 31 October (1 November in some regions) | Thursday |
| 2025 | 18 October | 20 October (21 October in some regions) | Monday |
Note: In 2024 and 2025 the Amavasya tithi meant Lakshmi Puja was observed a day apart in some regions. Please check your local panchang for the exact Diwali muhurat.
A Quick Look at Each Year
Diwali 2016: Diwali fell on Sunday, 30 October, so many families could celebrate together over the weekend. It was also the last big Diwali shopping season before demonetisation.
Diwali 2017: Diwali was celebrated on 19 October. GST had just been introduced, so shoppers watched Diwali sales and Diwali offers closely. A Supreme Court order restricting firecrackers in Delhi-NCR also made crackers a national talking point.
Diwali 2018: Diwali came late, on 7 November. With winter already setting in, people bought warm clothes and Diwali gifts together.
Diwali 2019: Diwali was on 27 October, with Bhai Dooj on 29 October. Online platforms reported record Diwali sales, especially in mobile phones and electronics.
Diwali 2020: Diwali fell on Saturday, 14 November. In the middle of the pandemic, families celebrated at home, and online shopping, e-gifting and contactless delivery took off.
Diwali 2021: Diwali was celebrated on 4 November. Markets bounced back after the pandemic, and Dhanteras gold and silver purchases picked up strongly.
Diwali 2022: Diwali fell on Monday, 24 October. A solar eclipse the next day shifted the Govardhan Puja date. Retail sales were strong and the festive mood was back in full swing.
Diwali 2023: Diwali was on Sunday, 12 November. The “Vocal for Local” call grew louder, and demand rose for clay diyas, handmade decor and local products.
Diwali 2024: Diwali was marked on 31 October, with Lakshmi Puja on 1 November in many places. Ayodhya hosted a grand Deepotsav with lakhs of diyas lit along the Saryu.
Diwali 2025: The main Diwali celebrations were on 20 October, with Lakshmi Puja on 21 October in some areas. Because Diwali came early, Diwali shopping began right after Dussehra.
The Five Days of Diwali: From Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj
Diwali is not a one-day festival. It is a five-day celebration:
- Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi): Lord Dhanvantari and Kuber are worshipped. Buying gold, silver, utensils and a new broom is considered auspicious.
- Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi): Marks the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasur. Diyas are lit outside the home.
- Badi Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): The main day. Mata Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh are worshipped in the evening, and homes glow with diyas and fairy lights.
- Govardhan Puja (Annakut): Linked to the story of Krishna lifting Govardhan hill. A grand Annakut offering is made. In Gujarat it is also Bestu Varas, the new year.
- Bhai Dooj: A celebration of the sibling bond, when sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life.
Every day has its own shopping, which is why the Diwali market stays busy for almost a week.
Top 10 Best-Selling Diwali Items (2016 to 2025)
Here are the products that have stayed at the top of Diwali shopping lists for the past ten years. Please note that this list is based on market trends, retailer commentary and common buying patterns, not on a single official sales ranking.
1. Gold and Silver
Buying gold and silver coins, jewellery and silver utensils on Dhanteras is one of the oldest traditions. Jewellers see crowds every year, and Lakshmi-Ganesh silver coins and idols are especially popular. Even as gold prices rose, this category has stayed number one because of its mix of investment value and auspicious belief.
2. Mithai and Dry Fruit Gift Boxes
Diwali is incomplete without mithai. Kaju katli, gulab jamun, soan papdi, laddoo, barfi and rasgulla appear in almost every home. In recent years, dry fruit gift boxes with cashews, almonds, pistachios, raisins and walnuts have given mithai tough competition as people become more health-conscious. They also top the list of corporate Diwali gifts.
3. Clay Diyas and Diya Sets
There is no Diwali without diyas. Clay diyas, terracotta diyas, painted diyas, wax diyas and rechargeable LED diyas are all popular. After the “Vocal for Local” campaign, demand for traditional diyas made by local potters grew noticeably.
4. LED Lights and Fairy Lights
Light is the heart of Diwali decoration. Fairy lights, LED string lights, jhalar curtains and rice lights sell in huge numbers each year. They are affordable, durable and energy-saving, and over the decade made-in-India LED lights have taken a growing share of the market.
5. Rangoli and Home Decor
Rangoli colours, rangoli stickers, reusable moulds and acrylic rangoli are always on the Diwali shopping list. Torans, bandanwar, flower garlands (real and artificial), wall hangings and decorative candles also sell well.
6. Pooja Items and Lakshmi-Ganesh Idols
For Lakshmi Puja, families buy new Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, a pooja thali, kalash, roli, moli, camphor, incense, agarbatti and lotus flowers. Demand for eco-friendly and clay idols is rising.
7. New Clothes and Ethnic Wear
Wearing new clothes on Diwali is considered auspicious. Sarees, lehengas, kurta-pyjamas, sherwanis, salwar suits and kids’ ethnic wear sell in large volumes. During online Diwali sales, fashion is among the categories with the most orders.
8. Mobile Phones, TVs and Electronics
Under the banner of Diwali offers, smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, washing machines and refrigerators see a sales surge. In e-commerce festive sales, electronics usually take the biggest share. Bank cashback, no-cost EMI and exchange offers push people to make big purchases at Diwali.
9. Kitchen Appliances, Utensils and Home Essentials
Buying utensils on Dhanteras is auspicious, so steel, copper and brass vessels, pressure cookers, air fryers, mixer grinders and dinner sets sell well. In the last few years, air fryers and induction cooktops have become popular Diwali gifts.
10. Crackers and Green Crackers
Phuljhadi, anaar, chakri, rockets and bombs have long been the face of Diwali. But with growing pollution concerns, bans and rules have come in, and many cities now allow only green crackers or only limited hours. Sales in this category have therefore varied widely from state to state, and many families are choosing a “safe and green Diwali”.
Bonus: Diwali gift hampers, scented candles, chocolates, home fragrances and Diwali cards also sell well every year.
How Diwali Shopping Trends Changed Over 10 Years
The rise of online shopping: In 2016 most Diwali shopping happened in markets and shops. By 2025 the online Diwali sale had taken a big share. Events like the Amazon Great Indian Festival and Flipkart Big Billion Days now start weeks before Diwali.
Eco-friendly Diwali: Clay diyas, natural rangoli colours, energy-saving lights and green crackers have gained ground. More people now think about a sustainable Diwali.
Corporate gifting: Companies give employees and clients dry fruits, mithai hampers, gift vouchers and electronics, which has made the Diwali gifts market much bigger.
Digital payments: UPI and digital wallets have made Diwali shopping faster and easier.
Vocal for Local: Buying from small shopkeepers, potters and artisans has become a stronger habit, which makes Diwali truly everyone’s festival.
Smart Diwali Shopping Tips
- Set a budget first: Don’t buy on impulse just because of Diwali offers and sales.
- Compare prices: Note prices before the sale starts so you can spot a real discount.
- Check the hallmark on gold: When buying gold on Dhanteras, always look for the BIS hallmark.
- Buy fresh mithai: Adulteration is a risk during festivals, so buy from trusted shops.
- Burst crackers safely: Keep children supervised, use open spaces and keep water or sand nearby.
- Choose local: Buy clay diyas and handmade decor and light up an artisan’s Diwali too.
Diwali Wishes and Greetings
Diwali is not only about shopping. It is a chance to strengthen relationships. Don’t forget to say “Happy Diwali”, “Shubh Deepavali” and “Happy Dhanteras” to friends, family and relatives. WhatsApp wishes, Diwali greetings, Diwali quotes and Diwali status updates are great ways to share your love from afar. May Goddess Lakshmi bless your home with happiness, prosperity and peace.
Conclusion
The journey from 2016 to 2025 shows that even though the Diwali date changes every year, the enthusiasm never fades. From Dhanteras gold and silver to Lakshmi Puja diyas and Bhai Dooj tilak, everything makes Diwali special. Over these ten years the market changed, online shopping arrived and people moved towards eco-friendly and local choices, but the heart of Diwali, the victory of light over darkness, remains the same.
So this Diwali, light a diya, share mithai, spread joy with someone in need and celebrate responsibly. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Diwali, Deepavali and Dhanteras!
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