California Makes History as Third US State to Recognize Diwali as Official Holiday

Oct 08, 2025 03:55 pm CST

California has officially designated Diwali as a state holiday, joining Pennsylvania and Connecticut in recognizing the Indian Festival of Lights. Governor Gavin Newsom signed bill AB 268, introduced by Assembly member Ash Kalra, acknowledging the cultural significance of Diwali for over one million Indian Americans in California. Community leaders celebrate this milestone as a powerful affirmation of cultural inclusion and recognition of Indian Americans' contributions to the state's economic, civic, and cultural landscape.