Your guide to celebrating Diwali in the Valley
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A bangle bar for Diwali at Spice Scottsdale, a trinket shop. Photo: Courtsey of Spice Scottsdale
Diwali, the Hindu festival marking triumph of light over darkness, is on Sunday.
Why it matters: I may be far from home this year, but that hasn't stopped me from creating the perfect itinerary to celebrate.
State of play: My weekend starts with a Diwali-themed craft night at Spice Scottsdale, a trinket shop, on Friday night.
- I'm stopping by Ekta Mandir's Diwali festivities in Phoenix on Saturday.
- On the day of Diwali, I have reservations at Michelin-recommended Indibar, located in Paradise Valley and known for upscale Indian cuisine.
What to expect: I'm most exited to learn the art of block printing and pick up a few bangles from a bangle bar during the craft night at Spice, which regularly hosts Craft & Yap nights.
Zoom in: For Anjalee Sadhwani, the co-founder of Spice, the Friday event feels full circle as she looks back at growing up in the Valley.
- During a time when the possibility of a Diwali craft event was nonexistent, her mother instead would host her friends for a crafty night at home.
What they're saying: "Indian culture is expressive and colorful," she says. "It's meant to be shared with everybody."
Between the lines: Diwali is becoming a global retail moment, but, as Vogue Business reports, American brands are still learning how to engage with this festival in meaningful ways.
💭 My thought bubble: Lush's 2026 collection manages to perfect the formula with its Jalebi bubble bar, based on an Indian dessert, and the mango lassi shower gel — both of which I desperately need my hands on.
Here's a guide to celebrating Diwali in the Valley.
🪷 Learn something new: Hear Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Brahma Kumaris speakers at Mesa Community College on Thursday.
- Enjoy dance, food and henna at Chandler City Hall on Saturday.
- Visit Ekta Mandir in Phoenix for worship and festivities Friday-Sunday.
🍽️ Treat yourself: Look for sweets like ladoos and gulab jamun at Patel Brothers in Chandler, or order a full spread from India Oven in Mesa.
- My go-to: butter chicken, dal makhani, garlic naan and kheer, a creamy rice pudding, for dessert.
✨ Get into the Diwali spirit: Once the order is placed, all you need is a good movie — and Netflix has a "Happy Diwali" collection.
- Start with "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham," the gloriously dramatic family classic with an iconic Diwali homecoming scene.
Catch up quick: I've previously written about growing up with India's biggest Hindu festival.
- In my South Delhi home, Diwali meant prayers, presents, fresh flowers and a top-to-bottom cleaning because Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, wouldn't visit a messy house.
The bottom line: Light a candle or two this weekend. That little flame is the heart of Diwali, a reminder that light always finds its way through the dark.