Quick answer: Diwali 2026 is on Sunday 8 November. To play Diwali songs on guitar at your family celebration, pick one song everyone can sing, learn the chords G, C, D, Em and Am, use a capo to find a key your singer can reach, and practise for ten minutes a day over three weeks. We suggest starting with the Lakshmi aarti, because the whole room sings it with you.
Key takeaways- Diwali and Lakshmi Puja fall on Sunday 8 November 2026, with the five day festival running from 6 to 10 November.
- The easiest Diwali songs on guitar are ones the whole family can sing, ideally an aarti, so the family carries the tune and the guitar keeps time.
- Five chords (G, C, D, Em and Am) cover a large number of beginner Hindi songs.
- A capo helps you find a key your family can sing in, without learning new chord shapes.
- Start by Sunday 18 October for the full three week plan, with ten minutes of practice a day.
Every Diwali, someone looks at the guitar in the corner and says, “Play something for us.” This year Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, so if you start this week, you have enough time to learn one of the Diwali songs on guitar properly and play it with the whole family around you.
You do not need to be good. You need one song, a handful of chords and a plan. Here is how to do it, whether you are a beginner, a parent learning alongside your child, or an adult who has not touched a guitar in years.
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali, with the main Lakshmi Puja, is on Sunday 8 November 2026. The five day festival runs from Friday 6 November to Tuesday 10 November. Puja timings differ from city to city, so check your local temple or mandir for the exact time where you live.
Why Diwali songs on guitar work so well
Diwali music is made for singing together. Aartis and Hindi film Diwali songs are sung by grandparents, parents and children at once. That is why Diwali songs on guitar suit beginners: the guitar does not have to carry the tune. It only has to keep time and hold the chords while everyone else sings.
Step 1: Pick one song, not five
The biggest mistake is trying to learn a whole playlist. Choose one song that passes three tests:- Everyone in the family can sing it, grandparents included.
- It repeats a small pattern of chords.
- It is slow or medium in pace.
- A traditional aarti. Om Jai Lakshmi Mata is the aarti sung at Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. Because the whole room sings it, you are never carrying it alone.
- A classic Hindi film Diwali song. Pick one the older generation knows by heart, for example Aayi Abke Saal Diwali from Haqeeqat.
- A festive song your children already know. If they will sing it happily, it works.
For a first Diwali, our advice is to start with the aarti. Of all the Diwali songs on guitar you could choose, it is the one a whole room can join in with: everyone knows it, the beat is steady, and nobody notices a wobbly chord change because they are busy singing.
One practical tip: listen to the version your family actually sings. Aartis often differ a little from home to home, so write the words out yourselves on a sheet rather than relying on a recording.
Step 2: Learn the chords
Most beginner Hindi songs, including many Diwali songs on guitar, lean on a small set of chords, and G, C, D, Em and Am are the ones to learn first. Spend your first week on these. Practise changing between just two chords at a time, slowly, counting four beats on each, before you add a third.
Short daily practice beats one long session. Ten minutes a day is enough for week one.
Step 3: Find the key that suits your singer
Recordings are often in a key chosen for the original singer, not for your family. If the high notes feel like a stretch, a capo fixes it without changing the chord shapes you have already learned.
Place the capo on the first fret and sing through the song. If it is still too high, try the second fret, then the third, until your main singer is comfortable. Avoid going above the eighth fret, because the guitar starts to sound thin.
Step 4: Keep the strumming simple
Aartis are usually sung with claps, so match them. Play one steady down strum on each beat and let the family clap along. You can add up strums later. Simple and steady sounds better than clever and shaky, especially for Diwali songs on guitar that the whole family sings.
Your three week plan for Diwali songs on guitar
Start by Sunday 18 October and you have three full weeks before Diwali. Starting later? Squeeze weeks 1 and 2 together.
- Week 1, 18 to 24 October: learn G, C, D, Em and Am. Ten minutes a day. Practise two chord changes at a time.
- Week 2, 25 to 31 October: play the chord order of your chosen song slowly along with a recording. Find the right capo fret for your singer.
- Week 3, 1 to 7 November: play the whole song with the family singing. Do it once a day, standing and sitting, because you will not always be in your usual practice chair.
- Diwali, Sunday 8 November: play after the aarti, or whenever the family gathers. Do not wait to be asked twice.
Learning with your children
If your child is 8 or older and wants to join in, make Diwali songs on guitar a shared project. Sit nearby for the first sessions, keep practice to ten minutes, and let your child choose which beat to clap or count in. A child who plays two chords while the grandparents sing is already part of the celebration. You can read more about our guitar lessons for kids, or our guitar lessons for adults if you are learning yourself.
Tips for playing Diwali songs on guitar on the night
- Tune the guitar before guests arrive.
- Sit in a circle so the singers can see your hands.
- Count in out loud, “one, two, three, four”, so everyone starts together.
- Keep the words on a sheet in front of you.
- If you slip, keep strumming. The family will carry on singing.
🎸 Play at your family Diwali, with a teacher beside you
At Musician Teacher, our teachers from India teach live online guitar classes in Hindi or English, built around Bollywood and devotional songs, for families in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Book a free trial class to learn Diwali songs on guitar, and mention the song your family sings. You can also message us on WhatsApp, watch our students perform first, or see our pricing.
Book Your Free TrialFrequently asked questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali and Lakshmi Puja are on Sunday 8 November 2026. The five days run from 6 to 10 November.
Can a complete beginner learn Diwali songs on guitar in three weeks?
Many beginners can manage one simple song with a few chords, if they practise a little every day and keep the pace slow. Aim for steady, not perfect.
Which guitar chords should I learn first?
Start with G, C, D, Em and Am. Many beginner Hindi songs, and plenty of Diwali songs on guitar, use a mix of these.
Do I need a capo?
Not always, but it helps you find a key your singer can reach without learning new chord shapes.
Can my child learn too?
Yes. Our classes are for children aged 8 and above, and for adults. Book a free trial class to see how a first lesson feels.
Where can I find the words?
For an aarti, use your family's puja book or the version you sing at home. For film songs, use a licensed lyrics site.
Final thought
Playing Diwali songs on guitar is about light, family and singing together. One song, played steadily, with everyone joining in, is worth more than a perfect performance nobody shares. Pick your song this week, and book a free trial if you would like a teacher beside you.
Written by the teaching team at Musician Teacher, an online academy teaching devotional and Bollywood music on guitar to Indian families in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Diwali dates checked against published 2026 calendars; please confirm puja timings with your local temple or panchang.
