For Diwali 2026 (Sunday, November 8), Royal Indian Market in Flemington has sold fresh Diwali mithai boxes, and the Sri Venkateswara Temple cafeteria in Bridgewater serves sweets and festival meals. On Tuesday, November 10, BAPS in Parsippany holds its Annakut, a “mountain of food” of hundreds of vegetarian dishes.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. Families light diyas, visit friends and trade boxes of mithai: kaju katli, ladoo, barfi and the rest, along with savory namkeen.
The day after Diwali is the Hindu New Year, marked with the Annakut, a vast offering of vegetarian dishes. Most of the region’s specialty sweet shops are just outside the Skylands, in Middlesex County; the places here are inside it.
Mithai (Diwali sweets)
Kaju katli, ladoo, barfi, peda and other milk, nut and gram-flour sweets, given in boxes to family and friends.
Last seasonIndian grocery · Flemington, Hunterdon
Royal Indian Market
Diwali mithai boxes made with fresh khoa.
“Come get your Diwali Methai boxes at Royal Indian Market Flemington NJ 08822! No preservatives added. Fresh khoa”
How to get it: Ask in the store or on Facebook about this year’s boxes and when to order. 37 Reaville Avenue, Flemington.
Posted this seasonHindu temple cafeteria · Bridgewater, Somerset
Sri Venkateswara Temple Cafeteria
South Indian vegetarian meals, snacks and sweets, open on festival days.
“Enjoy authentic South Indian vegetarian meals, snacks, sweets, beverages, and temple-style catering services at Sri Venkateswara Temple Cafeteria. Weekends, National Holidays & Festivals 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM”
How to get it: Open to visitors during the posted hours. The temple also caters. 1 Balaji Temple Drive, Bridgewater.
Last seasonFarm-to-table Indian restaurant · Hillsborough, Somerset
Mishta
A Bengali dessert platter for Diwali.
“Celebrate this Diwali at Mishta with sweetness from Bengal. A Bengali dessert platter!”
How to get it: Ask the restaurant whether the platter is back this year.
Temples, parishes and community gatherings
Where the food is part of the celebration.
Posted this seasonHindu temple · Parsippany, Morris
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Annakut Darshan: the Hindu New Year “mountain of food,” hundreds of vegetarian dishes offered in devotion. Tuesday, November 10, 11 AM to 7 PM.
“The Hindu New Year is traditionally celebrated with the Annakut, literally meaning, a mountain of food. Experience the grand Annakut with hundreds of vegetarian dishes offered in devotion with family and friends.”
Details: Listed on the mandir’s public events page. Check it for visiting details before you go. 3 Entin Road, Parsippany.
Posted this seasonCommunity celebration · Bridgewater, Somerset
Festival of Lights (Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren)
Jewish and Hindu neighbors share Chanukah and Diwali traditions, with food and dancing. Sunday, November 1, 4 PM.
“Bringing Jewish and Hindu communities together to share cultures, Chanukkah and Diwali traditions ... Join us for dancing, food & community!”
Details: See the Federation’s events page for tickets and location.
Last seasonHindu temple · Franklin Township, Somerset
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Vadtaldham
Annakut Darshan during its Diwali week.
“Diwali | Day 6 | Annakut Darshan & Katha | Vadtaldham, NJ”
Details: Check the mandir’s website for this year’s Diwali schedule. 1667 Amwell Road, Somerset.
Last seasonCommunity dinner · Parsippany, Morris
Morris County Indian Association Diwali Dinner
An annual Diwali dinner party, held last year at Rishtta Banquet Hall.
“The Morris County Indian Association (MCIA) is proud to present our annual Diwali Dinner Party.”
Details: Watch the association’s Facebook page for this year’s date.
Still looking: know who makes these?
- A Skylands sweet shop for mithai. Every specialty sweet shop we found is in Middlesex County. Make mithai or farsan to order in the Skylands? Tell us.
- Namkeen and farsan. Chakli, mathri, chivda, sev: who makes them locally?
- Gujarati New Year snacks. Mohanthal, ghughra, mathiya and chorafali for Bestu Varas visits.
- Bandi Chhor Divas langar. We found no gurdwara in the five counties. Is there a Sikh community meal we missed?
Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is Sunday, November 8, 2026. Dhanteras is Friday, November 6, and the Annakut and Gujarati New Year follow on November 9 and 10.
Where can I buy Diwali sweets in the Skylands?
Royal Indian Market in Flemington has sold Diwali mithai boxes made with fresh khoa, and the Sri Venkateswara Temple cafeteria in Bridgewater sells sweets on festival days. Most dedicated sweet shops are just outside the region, in Middlesex County.
What is the Annakut?
Annakut means “mountain of food”: on the Hindu New Year, temples offer hundreds of vegetarian dishes in devotion. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Parsippany lists its Annakut Darshan for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 11 AM to 7 PM.
Every listing quotes the business or organization’s own post or page, with its date; we checked them on . Holiday plans change, so confirm before you go. Spot a mistake, or make one of these foods? Tell us.