Diwali Speech in English 2026: 10 Lines, Short and Full Speeches

Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November, which means school Diwali functions and assembly speeches fall in the first week of November. If your child has to give a Diwali speech in English, you will find three ready versions below - 10 lines for young children, a short speech, and a fuller version for older students - plus delivery tips that work in a noisy school hall.

10-line Diwali speech (Classes 1-3)

Good morning, respected teachers and my dear friends. Today I want to talk about Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali comes in October or November every year. On this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years. The people of Ayodhya lit diyas to welcome him home. We also light diyas, make rangoli, and share sweets with everyone. In the evening, we do Lakshmi Puja with our family. Diwali teaches us that good always wins over evil. It also teaches us to spread light and happiness around us. I wish you all a very Happy Diwali. Thank you!

Short Diwali speech, about 150 words (Classes 4-6)

Good morning, respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends. Today, as we celebrate Diwali together, I would like to say a few words about what this festival means.

Diwali, or Deepavali, means "a row of lamps". It is the festival of lights, and it is one of the happiest festivals of India. It marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, and his victory over the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit thousands of diyas to welcome him - and that is why we light diyas even today.

But Diwali is not only about lamps and sweets. It carries a message: light always defeats darkness, and good always wins over evil. When we light a diya, we promise to remove a little darkness from the world - with kindness, with honesty, and with help for those who need it.

So this Diwali, let us light our homes and our hearts too. Happy Diwali to everyone. Thank you!

Full Diwali speech, about 250 words (Classes 7-10)

A very good morning to our respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends. I feel delighted to stand before you today and speak about a festival that needs no introduction - Diwali, the festival of lights.

Diwali, or Deepavali, literally means "a row of lamps". It falls on the new moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik. In North India, it celebrates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile. In other parts of our country, it honours Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. The stories differ, but the message is one: light defeats darkness, knowledge defeats ignorance, and good defeats evil.

The celebration spans five days - Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, the main Lakshmi Puja night, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Homes are cleaned and decorated, doorways bloom with rangoli and marigold flowers, and families gather for prayers, sweets and gifts.

Yet the true light of Diwali is not in the diyas outside; it is in what we do inside. This festival asks us a quiet question: what darkness can I remove? Maybe it is a fight with a friend that we can end. Maybe it is a habit we know is wrong. Maybe it is simply sharing what we have with someone who has less. When we do that, we do not just celebrate Diwali - we become its meaning.

So let us light every diya with a promise: to be a small lamp of goodness wherever we go. Wishing you and your families a bright and joyful Diwali. Thank you!

Five tips for delivering it well

• Practise aloud, never silently. Three spoken run-throughs beat ten readings in the head.
• Slow down at the start. Hall echoes make fast speech impossible to follow. Pause after every greeting.
• Memorise the first two lines. A confident opening settles the nerves; note cards can carry the rest.
• Look up on the message lines. "Good always wins over evil" lands better said to the audience, not to the card.
• Smile on "Happy Diwali". The ending is what the hall remembers.

If your child also has a written assignment, our Diwali essay guide has ready essays in three lengths. And with Children's Day coming on 14 November, keep our Children's Day speech guide bookmarked - it is the next function on the school calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja day) in 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November, according to drikpanchang.com. School functions and assembly speeches usually happen in the week before.

How long should a school Diwali speech be?

About one minute (10 lines) for Classes 1-3, two minutes (150 words) for Classes 4-6, and three minutes (250 words) for Classes 7-10. Short and confident always beats long and rushed.

What should a Diwali speech include?

A greeting, one line on what Diwali celebrates, the Rama-Ravana or Lakshmi story in brief, the message of light over darkness, and a warm Diwali wish at the end.

How can my child overcome stage fear before the speech?

Practise aloud daily in front of family, memorise only the opening lines by heart, keep note cards for the rest, and record one practice on your phone so your child hears their own progress.