California makes Diwali a paid holiday

The Hindu Festival of Lights is now recognized as an official state holiday in California after Governor Gavin Newsom signed the new bill to go into effect on Jan. 1.

The law provides for public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali as well as paid time off for state employees. It acknowledges the festival is celebrated by Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains, in addition to Hindus.

Pennsylvania became the first state to establish Diwali as a state holiday in October 2024 and Connecticut followed suit in August. With California signing the bill into law, it is first state on the west coast to recognize Diwali as such.

The bill was co-authored by Democrats Assemblymember Ash Kalra from San Jose and Assemblymember Darshana Patel from San Diego.