Hum Sub Diwali 2026 is coming to Cary, and everyone’s invited

Picture the scene. The sun’s going down over Koka Booth Amphitheatre, string lights strung between food stalls, the aroma of Indian food is close enough that you can smell it from the lawn. A live band tunes up in front of a crowd that’ll hit 15,000 before the night’s over. Then the fireworks go up over the amphitheater. That’s Hum Sub Diwali and this October 10 it’s back for its 26th year.

What is Diwali 

Diwali is the festival of lights, India’s most widely celebrated holiday, and it draws in people of every faith, not only Hindu. The story behind it changes depending on who’s telling it. The most common version is Rama’s return to the kingdom of Ayodhya after rescuing his wife Sita and defeating the demon king Ravana. Homes were lit with rows of oil lamps to welcome him back. That’s where the “festival of lights” comes from.

Whatever version you grew up with, the idea underneath is the same. Good outlasts evil. Homes get cleaned out, old grudges get dropped, new clothes go on to mark the fresh start. Families light diyas, small clay lamps, and open their doors to anyone who wants to join them. Diwali is the festival of lights, India’s most widely celebrated holiday, and it draws in people of every faith, not only Hindu.

The story behind it changes depending on who’s telling it. The most common version is Rama’s return to the kingdom of Ayodhya after rescuing his wife Sita and defeating the demon king Ravana. Homes were lit with rows of oil lamps to welcome him back. That’s where the “festival of lights” comes from.

You don’t have to be Indian, or Hindu, or part of the Triangle’s South Asian community to show up. That’s the point of it. We can all celebrate and welcome more light and hope into our lives! 

About Hum Sub Diwali

The first Cary Diwali happened in 2000 at the Herb C. Young Community Center and drew a crowd of about 2,500. It outgrew that space fast. The Town of Cary and Hum Sub moved it to Koka Booth Amphitheatre, and it’s been growing ever since.

In 2022, the event was rebranded from Cary Diwali to Hum Sub Diwali, opening it up to the whole Triangle rather than just Cary. It’s now, by Hum Sub’s own count, the biggest free-to-attend Diwali event of its kind in the southeastern United States, regularly pulling upwards of 15,000 people.

Hum Sub  was founded in 2001 by a group of Indian Americans living in the Triangle area of NC. It’is a non-profit organization dedicated to share the social and cultural traditions of India with residents of the North Carolina Triangle area and beyond The Hindi phrase “Hum Sub” means “All of us.”

What to expect this year’s Diwali

The Diwali Festival in Cary is all about artistic expression through vibrant performances, unique exhibits, and colorful decorations. This year’s theme is Udaan, soaring high, and it lands on Saturday, October 10, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary.

The headliner is Vidya Vox, the Indian American singer and YouTube sensation, performing live with singer Rohith Jayaraman and a full band. Hum Sub has brought in some serious names for this slot over the years, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, Alisha Chinai, and Ila Arun among them, so there’s a real “who’s it going to be this year” buzz that builds every fall.

There’s also a special daytime tribute to legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, and a full day of dance performances from Triangle dance schools who get their spot on the Hum Sub Diwali stage through an actual audition process, judged by outside, neutral judges. It’s a genuinely competitive stage for local dance schools, not just a backyard talent show.

Expect a handicraft bazaar, Indian food vendors from some of the area’s most popular restaurants, and a cultural exhibition that changes theme most years. Past years have included hands-on stuff like rangoli workshops and having your name written in Hindi calligraphy. The day closes with fireworks. There is also an exhibition of the history of Indian cinema (popularly known as Bollywood). Come test your knowledge of this industry and learn something new.

All of this at one of my favorite outdoor venues in the Triangle. With its forested setting by Symphony Lake, it is the perfect location for a rich cultural celebration like this.

Oh and come with an empty tummy and loose pants, because Indian cuisine is absolutely what you will want to spend your day sampling and devouring! It’s going to smell and taste so good!

The Youth Achievement Award

Hum Sub Diwali event is also when Hum Sub hands out its Youth Achievement Award, a program running since 2014 that recognizes Triangle middle and high schoolers for community work, research, academics, or the arts. It’s open to students of every background, not limited to Asian Indian descent, and winners are announced live on the Diwali stage in front of the full crowd.

Cash prizes go to the top two students in both the middle school and high school categories, $1,000 for first place and $500 for second. Applications close September 13, through humsub.org/yaa.

Plan your visit to Diwali in Cary

• Date: October 10, 2026
• Time: 9am – 9pm
• Cost: Free
• Parking is $10 for general or $20 for preferred
• Venue is cashless, so bring a card for parking and vendors, not cash. 

Want a reserved seat instead of lawn seating? That needs a $10 annual Hum Sub membership, available at humsub.org. Hum Sub also makes accommodations for senior citizens and anyone with specific accessibility needs, so if that’s a concern, it’s worth reaching out to them ahead of time.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is at 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC 27518.  Here’s everything you need to know about attending an event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

Celebrate Diwali with the Triangle

If you’ve never been to Diwali, this is the year to go. Bring the kids, bring a friend who’s never seen a Diwali celebration, wear something you love. It’s free, it’s close to home, and it’s one of the best excuses all year to celebrate a culture that isn’t necessarily your own, but has a meaning we can all relate to, right here in Cary. More info and updates: humsub.org/hum-sub-diwali-2026