Diwali guide · 2026 Planning food for a Diwali party
Quick answer
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday 8 November. A Diwali party menu is usually vegetarian: snacks as guests arrive, two or three curries (paneer, dal, vegetables), rice and breads, and Indian sweets with chai. Per adult, plan about 150 g of rice, 250 g of curries, 2 breads and 2–3 sweets.
Diwali 2026 dates in the UAE
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November in the UAE. Many families host on the weekend around Diwali, and offices often celebrate in the working days just before or after, so book early.
Build a vegetarian menu
Most Diwali menus are vegetarian. A balanced spread has four parts:
- Snacks for guests as they arrive: samosas, pakoras, dhokla, chaat-style bites.
- Two or three curries: one paneer dish, one dal, one vegetable or chole.
- Rice and breads: a biryani or pulao, with puri, naan or roti.
- Sweets: the heart of Diwali. Gulab jamun, kheer and mithai, plus chai.
How much food to order
| Item | Per adult guest |
|---|---|
| Snacks (samosas, pakoras, dhokla) | 4–6 pieces |
| Rice, biryani or pulao (cooked) | 150 g |
| Paneer, dal and vegetable curries (all together) | 250 g |
| Breads (puri, naan or roti) | 2 pieces |
| Raita and salad | 75 g |
| Indian sweets and desserts | 2–3 pieces or 1 portion |
Count children under 10 as half a guest. If guests are visiting several homes on the same evening, they will eat less at each, so lean towards snacks and sweets rather than a full dinner.
Pure vegetarian and Jain guests
Some guests only eat food cooked in a pure-vegetarian kitchen, and Jain guests avoid onion, garlic and root vegetables. Ask your caterer directly whether their kitchen also cooks meat, and whether they can do Jain dishes. Our partner kitchen cooks both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, so if this matters to your guests, tell us and we will say upfront what we can do.
Timing for a Diwali party
- Serve snacks as guests arrive, and dinner after the puja.
- Tell the caterer when you want to eat, not when guests arrive.
- Keep candles and diyas well away from the buffet table.
Office Diwali celebrations
For the office, a lunch buffet with two curries, rice, breads and a sweet works well, or snacks and sweets with chai in the afternoon. Make sure non-vegetarian colleagues know the menu is vegetarian, so no one is surprised.
Get a Diwali catering quote
We cater Diwali parties at home, office celebrations and community gatherings across the UAE. See Diwali catering or send your date, location and headcount for a quote.
Questions people ask
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday 8 November 2026 in the UAE, with Dhanteras on 6 November and Bhai Dooj on 10 November.
What food is served at a Diwali party?
Usually a vegetarian spread: snacks such as samosas and pakoras, paneer, dal and vegetable curries, biryani or pulao, puri or naan, and Indian sweets with chai.
How much food do I need for a Diwali party?
Per adult, plan about 4–6 snacks, 150 g of rice or biryani, 250 g of curries and dal, 2 breads, some raita and salad, and 2–3 sweets.
Can a caterer provide Jain food?
Some can. Ask whether the kitchen can cook without onion, garlic and root vegetables, and whether it also cooks meat.
Does Messify cater Diwali?
Yes. We cater Diwali parties at home, office celebrations and community gatherings, with vegetarian Indian menus and sweets.
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