Indian schools across the UAE are organising a range of traditional and creative activities to mark Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Students and staff are taking part in making and exchanging handmade earthen lamps, creating colourful rangoli designs, lantern-making sessions and dressing in festive colours, while schools also highlight the festival’s cultural significance and the value of inclusivity.
Many institutions are using the period before the Diwali break to bring students from different backgrounds together through shared experiences. Some schools are placing particular emphasis on eco-friendly decorations and minimising waste, reflecting a broader effort to celebrate in a sustainable way. With Diwali holidays adjoining the weekend at several schools, families will have extended time to mark the occasion together.
At Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi, students have been crafting earthen lamps during art classes. These handmade diyas will form part of the school’s celebrations. Principal Abhilasha Singh said the school has planned activities for both students and staff, including a special theme-based engagement event for employees on the evening of November 6, just before the break.
Students will exchange the diyas they have made, with some also presented to the school management. “We also use these school-made diyas as corporate gifts,” Singh noted. Children will be encouraged to wear colourful clothes and take part in lantern-making alongside sessions that explain the meaning and traditions of Diwali. “We will also have sessions highlighting the significance of Diwali, helping children understand the festival and its traditions,” she added.
Credence High School will hold its main celebrations on Thursday, November 5. Students and staff are encouraged to dress in vibrant festive colours. CEO-Principal Deepika Thapar Singh said the school’s approach reflects its multicultural ethos. “At our campus, we celebrate festivals from different cultures and traditions with great fervour and enthusiasm, reflecting the vibrant multicultural spirit of our school community,” she said.
Activities at Credence will include traditional rangoli, cultural performances and creative workshops. The school is focusing on environmentally conscious festivities by using eco-friendly decorations and reducing waste. Staff will participate in specially designated colour-themed days. The school is also making arrangements to support employees observing religious fasts. “We extend special care, understanding and support to staff observing religious fasts, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect,” Deepika Thapar Singh said. Credence High School will observe Diwali holidays from Friday, November 6, to Monday, November 9.
At GEMS Our Own Indian School in Dubai, the holiday period adjoining the weekend is expected to give families a four-day break. Principal and chief executive Lalitha Suresh has described Diwali as a celebration that brings people together through its message of hope and togetherness. “Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a cherished celebration that brings families and communities together in a spirit of joy, hope, and togetherness,” she said. “This year, with the holiday adjoining the weekend, our families can enjoy a welcome four-day break a wonderful opportunity to pause, reconnect, and create lasting memories with loved ones.”
Across the schools, the celebrations serve a dual purpose. They introduce younger students to the cultural and historical significance of Diwali while creating opportunities for children from varied backgrounds to participate in shared traditions. Teachers and school leaders have highlighted the role of these events in fostering mutual respect and understanding within diverse school communities.
The focus on handmade items such as diyas and rangoli also encourages creativity and hands-on learning. In art and craft sessions, students produce items that are later used in school displays or exchanged among peers, giving a personal dimension to the festivities. Sessions explaining the festival’s meaning help ensure that activities are not limited to decoration and performance but also include educational context.
Eco-friendly practices form another common theme. Several schools are actively discouraging single-use materials and promoting reusable or natural decorations. This approach aligns with wider environmental awareness efforts already present in many UAE school curricula.
For staff, the celebrations often include separate engagement events and practical support for those observing fasts or other religious practices. School leaders have stressed that accommodating different needs is an important part of maintaining an inclusive workplace during festival periods.
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With Diwali falling on a Sunday this year, the combination of school holidays and the weekend is providing many families with additional consecutive days off. Schools have noted that this extended break allows parents and children more time to celebrate at home and participate in community events outside the school setting.
The activities planned by Indian curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other emirates illustrate how cultural festivals continue to play an active role in the UAE’s diverse education landscape. By combining traditional practices with modern concerns such as sustainability and inclusivity, the schools aim to make the Festival of Lights meaningful for the entire school community.
