Best Places to Visit During Diwali Holidays Near Chandigarh (2026)

Quick Summary

Diwali 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November, and there are numerous families in Chandigarh who are already asking themselves the same question: which place to visit in Diwali without losing their time traveling? Luckily, you have a lot of options here. There are some destinations which are accessible within a few hours’ drive, whereas other destinations may suit 4-6 days of holidays.

Here is the list of six best Diwali holiday destinations in Chandigarh along with travel duration, what you can do and what kind of audience will find these destinations appealing.

• Closest Hill Retreat: Shimla (3.5-hour drive)
• Best Place for Aarti on River Ganges: Rishikesh (Yoga, family retreat)
• Best Place for Diwali at the Golden Temple: Amritsar
• Manali provides cool mountain breeze and views of early winters
• Jaipur provides royal Diwali lights and shopping
• Best destination for lakeside city: Udaipur (Prefer taking train or flight there)
• Book car and hotel well before time to dodge the madness of festivals and hefty costs

Best Diwali Holiday Destinations Near Chandigarh

Destination	Distance and Travel Time from Chandigarh	Best For	Top Things to Do
Shimla	About 115 km, 3 to 4 hours	Short family break	Mall Road, Kufri, Jakhoo Temple
Rishikesh	About 200 km, 4.5 to 5 hours	Peace and spiritual stay	Ganga Aarti, Laxman Jhula, river rafting
Amritsar	About 230 km, 4.5 to 5 hours	Festival atmosphere	Golden Temple, Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh
Manali	About 310 km, 7 to 8 hours	Couples and families	Solang Valley, Hadimba Temple, Old Manali
Jaipur	About 520 km, 9 to 10 hours	Culture and shopping	Amber Fort, City Palace, Johari Bazaar
Udaipur	About 900 km, 15 to 16 hours by road	Long holiday, lakes and palaces	City Palace, Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar

Why Diwali Holidays Are Special for Travel

Diwali is the festival of lights, and at the same time, Diwali marks the beginning of the most favorable travel season in North India. The heat is over; the atmosphere is fresh; the hills are clear and serene. Schools and offices generally offer a holiday, so the family has a great opportunity to take a vacation together.

While some may choose to celebrate Diwali night at home and depart the next morning, some prefer to experience the festival celebration in a new place with lighted temples, decorated bazaars and prayer sessions in the evening. Whatever be your preference for celebrating Diwali, a short vacation on such holidays unites the whole family and allows all of them to enjoy themselves.

While considering Diwali tours, please note that it is a time when there are many people traveling. Hence, hotels and cabs are likely to fill up soon, and you would definitely benefit by making your plans two to three weeks in advance.

1. Shimla: The Easiest Hill Escape

Shimla tops the list when it comes to planning a quick trip from Chandigarh. The road conditions are good, and the distance is short too. The weather during November is cool but not too cold. It makes for an enjoyable journey for older people and kids alike.

• Time of travel: 3–4 hours
• Things to do: Walk in Mall Road, Visit Jakhoo Temple, Visit Christ Church, Go for a one day trip to Kufri
• Suitable for: Two Night Three Day Family Trip
• Additional information: Mall Road is crowded in the evening, so try to visit it during the morning.

2. Rishikesh: Peace, River and Evening Aarti

For a serene and spiritual Diwali vacation, Rishikesh is one such destination that comes to mind. Evening time near the banks of the Ganga, watching the lanterns float on its waters and hearing soft bells ringing in the background can be an experience of a lifetime.

• Time of travel: 4.5 – 5 hours by road 
• Top activities: watch Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, walk through Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, participate in yoga classes, and go on river rafting when water level permits 
• Suitable for: couples and elderly parents, anyone who enjoys taking leisurely trips
• Important points: the town is largely vegetarian, hence there is no fuss about food options

3. Amritsar: Diwali at the Golden Temple

Diwali in Amritsar is an experience that many people never forget. The Golden Temple gets beautifully illuminated and the occasion is also observed as Bandi Chhor Divas, making it even more significant. There are fireworks, lights, and huge crowds everywhere.

• Travel time: 4.5 to 5 hours via road
• Things not to miss: Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border ceremony and eat delicious Amritsari kulcha and lassi
• Suitable for: all families; best for families that are looking for a spiritual journey
• Important to know: It’s really crowded in the city during Diwali night; therefore, arrive at Golden Temple early and wear light clothes to walk barefoot on marble

Did You Know? Diwali in Amritsar is also known as Bandi Chhor Divas, or “Day of Liberation.” According to Sikh tradition, the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was released from Gwalior Fort, and he refused to leave unless the 52 princes imprisoned there were freed with him. The story goes that he had a special robe made with 52 tassels so that each prince could hold on and walk out with him. This is why the Golden Temple is lit up on Diwali night.

4. Manali: Cool Air and Early Winter Views

Manali can be considered among the top Diwali holiday spots in India for people who belong to Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The mountains get refreshed by November and you might even witness the first signs of snowfall on some of the mountain tops.

• Travel Time: 7 – 8 Hours via Road
• Activities: Solang Valley, Hadimba temple & Vashisht hot springs, Old Manali walking tour and local cafes
• Suitable For: Couples, groups of friends and family who can travel for a long drive
• Other Tips: Nights can be very chilly so bring some warm clothing; start early in the day to avoid congestion around Mandi & Kullu

5. Jaipur: A Royal Diwali with Lights and Shopping

The city of Jaipur is famously referred to as the Pink City. During Diwali, it lights up with lights all over the markets, palaces, and streets. If you love history and cuisine, then Jaipur is the place for you. November offers very favorable weather conditions for sightseeing.

• Travel time: 9 to 10 hours by road, or by fast train/flight from Chandigarh/Delhi
• Top activities: visit Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and shopping in Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar, followed by having Rajasthani thali
• Ideal for: a 3 to 4 day vacation with your friends/family
• Useful information: remember to bargain while shopping in bazaars, and make advance bookings for visiting forts online

6. Udaipur: The Calm Lake City

Udaipur would be ideal for someone with more time and who wants to do something new. Udaipur looks beautiful in its festive best. Due to the far-off location, people opt for a train journey or fly there and then take a cab to see the sights.

• Time to Travel: 15-16 hours via road travel, therefore a combination of flights and trains along with transfers would be more comfortable
• Things to Do: Explore the City Palace, go for a boating trip in the Pichola Lake, explore the Fateh Sagar Lake
• Recommended for: Couples, honeymooners and families who plan to spend 4-5 days there
• Trivia: Diwali nights by the lakes are very romantic, therefore book a hotel overlooking the lake well in advance

Trip Specifications to Plan Before You Go

But before making up your mind about booking a Diwali holiday, just keep in mind three basic things, namely distance, the size of the group and the budget. For smaller distances like Shimla, Rishikesh and Amritsar, a car would do fine, and you can make a halt at any place whenever you feel that the kids or the elders of your group have become tired. If your group is large and going to Manali or Jaipur then for you a tempo traveler would be better suited and cost effective. Hotels and cabs will be more expensive during Diwali week so it’s always advisable to pre-book. Do have a check on weather conditions of the hill station, basic medicines, valid id proof for each and some money in hand for smaller stores. If you find it difficult to organize places and days then readymade Diwali tours might help you save time.

Final Thought

The best way to celebrate the Diwali festival is the way that fits your family, your availability, and your comfort level. With two to three days at hand, the choice can be made among Shimla, Rishikesh, and Amritsar. But if you have the luxury of taking a long vacation, the better choices will be Manali, Jaipur, and Udaipur.

Virk Tour Travels is located at Chandigarh and offers services in car rentals, tempo travelers and outstation journeys to make your Diwali vacation hassle-free. Please contact Virk Tour Travels for arranging an amazing vacation for you during Diwali 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions