Creating a sense of belonging at work is a top-tier strategy for employee engagement and retention. According to Gallup’s report on employee engagement, companies that have a highly engaged workforce have over 20% higher profitability than those that don’t. 

For APAC employees who celebrate Diwali, recognizing and honoring their traditions at work fosters a workplace culture of inclusivity and belonging, improving employee wellbeing and motivating them to go above and beyond to achieve your company’s goals.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to celebrate Diwali at work, you’re at the right place. In this article, we’ll be sharing eight Diwali party ideas to keep your employees happy and motivated.

When is Diwali 2024?

Generally, Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November of each year, the dates changing per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists throughout India, Nepal, and other parts of the world.

Diwali, in 2024, commences with:

Day	Festival	Date
Day 1	Dhanteras	29 October 2024 (Tuesday)
Day 2	Kali Chaudas	30 October 2024 (Wednesday)
Day 3	Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)	31 October 2024 (Friday)
Day 4	Govardhan Puja, Annakut	1 November 2024 (Saturday)
Day 5	Bhai Dooj	2 November 2024 (Sunday)

What is Diwali?

Diwali, or Deepavali, is one of the important festivals of Hindus, which is celebrated for five days with a plethora of rituals. It signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is associated with various mythological stories but still revolves around the core theme, which involves the triumph of good over evil, renewal, and spiritual awakening.

Diwali is a festival that is celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor.  Lamps, known as diyas, and candles are lighted to signify the victory of light. People worship deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Fireworks and crackers would also be used to shoo away evil spirits. Traditional sweets and snacks are shared, and families continue to gather around, sharing gifts.

The significance of Diwali goes beyond a mere cultural affair; it teaches unity and companionship, spiritual growth, and appreciation. Diwali is to express joy and contemplation with family and friends. It is an occasion to begin anew and rejuvenate oneself in hope of a better future.

Why should you celebrate Diwali at work?

One of the best ways of fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace is knowing how to celebrate Diwali at work. Respecting and recognizing diverse traditions and cultures creates an inclusive environment for your employees that will make them feel appreciated and valued. This increases employee engagement, job satisfaction, and morale.

Celebrating Diwali in the workplace also offers some sort of cultural exchange and education. It spreads awareness about Indian culture and traditions, cross-cultural understanding, and dispelling stereotypes, hence making it easier to create a harmonious and inclusive work environment.

Additionally, celebrating Diwali at work can bring about tangible benefits to your company. It shows respect for the values of diversity and inclusion, which significantly improves retention and recruitment. When an organization is perceived as progressive and inclusive, it can attract more diverse talent and cultivate a strong brand image.

Looking for more employee engagement ideas?

How to celebrate Diwali at work?

1. Learn about what the holiday means

A good place to start when it comes to how to celebrate Diwali at work is to help other employees understand what Diwali means. You can learn about the history, mythology, and cultural importance of Diwali so you can understand just how special this day is. 

If some employees celebrate it, have them share with you what they did and what traditions come with celebrating Diwali the same as celebrations like Lunar New Year and Ramadan. Consider watching educational videos or films to gain better insights and understanding. Equipped with these insights, you’ll be able to plan meaningful Diwali activities.

2. Decorate your workplace

Another fun thing you can do as part of Diwali activities is decorating the office space, transforming it into a spot of revelry and festivity with the traditional Diwali diyas, candles, lanterns, and Rangoli pattern. You can add more color with streamers, balloons, and flowers and also include a Diwali-themed prop for photos. 

While it’s perfectly fine to hire professionals, a great way on how to celebrate Diwali at work is to involve your team members in the decoration process to encourage participation and learning. You can also host a competition between departments to foster cross collaboration and teamwork.

3. Organize a henna workshop

Organizing a henna workshop can serve as a means of cultural exchange and bonding, it is also a great way in regards to how to celebrate Diwali at work. If you have the budget, consider hiring professional henna artists to run the workshop, or provide self-henna application kits. 

You can host the workshop during lunch or after work and invite all employees to get involved with a henna design and explain its meaning. This allows employees to gain a better insight into the culture and tradition. 

4. Host a potluck lunch or dinner

A simple and delicious way on how to celebrate Diwali at work is organizing a potluck lunch or dinner. Encourage participation by asking employees to bring in their favorite home-cooked recipes or traditional dishes. 

Also it’s important to include a variety of dishes and cuisines, such as vegetarian and vegan dishes. You can set up a buffet and put labels on the dishes. This will promote interaction among colleagues and will help them taste new flavors as part of the many Diwali activities in this list.

5. Conduct Diwali-themed quiz or trivia

A quiz or trivia can be an interactive Diwali activity when it comes to how to celebrate Diwali at work. Prepare questions about the history, mythology, and cultural significance of this festival. Divide employees into groups and let the friendly competition begin. 

Take it a step further by providing prizes for winners, keeping employees motivated and excited for the celebration. The reason this activity works well is that it allows learning, teamwork, and appreciation of culture while celebrating Diwali at work.

6. Set up a Photo Booth

Another great idea on how to celebrate Diwali at work is to set up a photo booth to capture memories of Diwali: You can create a backdrop and add some festive props, including traditional attire, accessories, and flowers. This will encourage employees to take photos with their colleagues and share them on the company’s social media or internal channels. 

By reposting these moments on your company’s social media channels, it signals to current employees and potential candidates that you value and celebrate the unique cultures of your diverse team. 

7. Review your holiday policy

Fairness and flexibility are paramount for a thriving work environment. You can use this opportunity to review your company’s holiday policy to see if it has a celebration for Diwali, as well as flexible work and time off for employees. 

Communicate the details for your holiday policy to all employees so that they are aware. If you do not have an existing policy, it’s highly encouraged that you reach out to employees for more information and develop a policy that works for your team.

8. Encourage employees to wear traditional costume

Celebrating cultural heritage by having your employees wear traditional Indian garments, such as sarees and kurtas is a great idea on how to celebrate Diwali at work. This also includes the sharing of stories behind their attire and fostering an environment where cultural expression is embraced.

Deepen Employee Engagement With HR Tools

Dive into your Diwali festivities with these eight joyous party ideas for how to celebrate Diwali at work.

Stay on top of every upcoming festive celebration with Omni’s customizable dashboard which allows your teams to set and manage calendars pre-loaded with country or region specific holidays and timezones. Book a demo with our team to learn more about how Omni can support your international workforce.

Download now: Keep your team engaged all year round with our HR Calendar 2024!