Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras two days earlier on the 6th. If you have ever wondered whether Jaipur at Diwali lives up to the photos, the short answer is yes — the old city's bazaars are strung with lights end to end, and the whole pink city seems to glow for a week.
The longer answer is that it gets busy. Here's how we'd do it.
See the bazaar lights on a weeknight
The markets inside the walled city — Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, the stretch around Hawa Mahal — are decorated for days before the festival, not just on Diwali night itself. Go on a weeknight in the run-up, after dark, and you get the same lights with a fraction of the crowd. Park outside the walls and walk in; driving through the old city that week tests everyone's patience.
Do Amer in the morning
Amer Fort is ten minutes from the farm, and festival week is one of the nicest times to see it — the weather has finally turned, and mornings are cool and clear. Go early, before the tour buses, then come back for a long lunch.
Spend Diwali night somewhere quieter
Here's our honest pitch. In the city, Diwali night is loud, bright and wonderful — and very hard to get a moment of quiet in. Out in Kukas, the night is darker and calmer: the farm lit with diyas and festive lights, the Aravallis a dark line behind the lawn, and stars still visible overhead.
It's the kind of evening we built the farm for — family around a long table outdoors, sweets from the city, and nowhere anyone needs to drive home to. And since the pool stays open until mid-November, the afternoon before is for a swim in the sun.
Plan for the week, not just the night
Festival week is when families gather, so the whole of Jaipur fills up. If you're coming, a few practical notes:
- Book early. The nights either side of Diwali go first.
- Stock up on mithai in the city, not on Diwali day itself, when the famous shops have queues out the door.
- Stay two or three nights. One night is spent arriving and leaving; the second is when the week actually starts to feel like a holiday.
Coming to the farm for Diwali?
We'd love to have you. The whole farmhouse is yours — four bedrooms, the pool, the lawn and the gardens — and it holds a family gathering beautifully. Check the Diwali dates on Airbnb, or write to us if you're planning something bigger.
Come and see it for yourself.
Check dates on Airbnb