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Devcon ends Friday.Diwali starts Friday.

The festival of lights begins the evening Devcon closes. Stay two more nights and you see Mumbai at its best, as long as you book before the rates move.

Dhanteras, rates jump
Fri 6
Diwali, Lakshmi Puja
Sun 8
fireworks window in recent years
7–10 pm
typical Diwali hotel premium, India-wide
~30%
Marine Drive lit up on a Diwali night

The Diwali weekend

Devcon ends Friday.Diwali starts Friday.

Dhanteras falls on Fri 6 Nov, the night hotels switch to festival pricing. Nights from the 6th are priced separately and are often non-refundable. If you are staying on, lock them now.

  1. Dhanteras

    Devcon closes at 5 pm. Hotel rates step up tonight.

  2. Naraka Chaturdashi

    Lanterns on Colaba Causeway. Loud night, cabs surge.

  3. Diwali, Lakshmi Puja

    Walk Marine Drive after dark. Markets and banks closed.

  4. The quiet day

    Museums and Elephanta shut. A good day to fly out.

Extend my stay to 9 Nov

Fireworks run about 7–10 pm. Pack an N95.

Where to go

Four places to see it properly.

  • Sat or Sun

    Marine Drive after dark

    Line 3 to Churchgate · ~35 min

    The whole bay lit up. Go on the 7th or the 8th.

  • Fri or Sat

    Crawford Market and Bhuleshwar

    Cab · about 40 min off-peak

    Diyas, marigolds and rangoli powder, sold by the armful.

  • Any evening

    Colaba Causeway

    Line 3 to Churchgate, then a short taxi

    Lanterns and lamps strung along the pavement stalls.

  • Fri or Sat

    Dadar markets

    Line 3 to Dadar · ~10 min

    Festival sweets and paper lanterns by the station.

What is open

Most things. Not the banks.

Open

All weekend
  • Hotels, malls and chain restaurants
  • The metro, Uber and Ola
  • Museums, on their normal hours (Monday closures still apply)
  • ATMs and UPI payments

Closed

On the day
  • Markets and banks on Sun 8 Nov
  • Banks again on Tue 10 Nov
  • Many offices on the 8th, 10th and 11th
  • Small restaurants may run a short lunch menu on the 8th

Good to know

Five things before you stay.

  1. Book the extra nights now

    Hotel rates step up from Fri 6 Nov. Nights from the 6th are priced separately and are often non-refundable. Extend my stay

  2. Pack an N95

    Fireworks run about 7–10 pm and the smoke hangs for days. Run before 8 am.

  3. Avoid driving on Diwali night

    Cabs surge on the 7th and 8th. Walk or take the metro.

  4. Fly on the 9th, not the 7th or 8th

    Domestic fares peak and schedules thin out over the weekend.

  5. If a family invites you

    Go. Bring sweets or flowers, and expect to sit on the floor.

Keep going

Next in the guide.