Why choose between diyas and spooky drama when you can have both? With Diwali and Halloween just days apart this year, the festive season is getting a playful mash-up – Diwaloween. Think marigolds and miniature pumpkins, mithai with googly eyes, and spooky accents against a backdrop of festive lights.A glimpse of Priyanka Chopra’s LA home, where Halloween decor meets Diwali lights, offers inspiration for anyone looking to blend the two celebrations.
Priyanka Chopra’s Diwaloween decor brought festive lights and spooky delights together
‘The secret is to stop treating Diwali and Halloween as two separate themes’For Sushmita Malakar, an Indian mixologist and event bar curator based in Austin, Texas, the idea is to bring the two celebrations together without compromising either. Having hosted her own Diwaloween parties since 2024, she believes the trick lies in finding a common theme rather than treating the festivals as competing aesthetics. “I think the secret is to stop treating Diwali and Halloween as two separate themes that need to compete with each other. Instead, find a story that brings them together. We grew up hearing tales of chudails, haunted havelis and mysterious spirits, and Bollywood has given us films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Stree. There’s so much inspiration right there!” says Sushmita.She suggests taking inspiration from a haunted Indian haveli and traditional lamps, but with a few unexpected spooky elements. “I love the idea of keeping the decor warm, colourful and unmistakably desi, with little spooky surprises tucked into unexpected corners. Not everything has to be black and orange just because it’s Halloween!”‘It’s about creating spaces where different worlds collide’The idea is also to find takers among party hosts in NCR. Yash, who is curating Patakhe aur Pichaash, a Diwaloween bash at a farmhouse in Noida. “The idea came from wanting to do something different from the usual Diwali parties. We thought, why not bring two completely different worlds together–the warmth, lights, and festive energy of Diwali with the mystery and playfulness of Halloween?”Describing the evening as an experience straight out of a Bollywood film, Yash says, “The idea is to create an evening that feels like stepping into a Bollywood movie: a farmhouse setting, festive lights, spooky elements, great music, a DJ, and a crowd that’s there to dress up, let loose, and make memories.”
From spooky props to themed food, NCR’s Diwaloween parties plan to balance the two vibes (Pics: @filmy_safarr)
Ekta Mazumdar, who curates such parties through her platform Hushroom, is giving the theme a royal gothic spin with her Diwaloween party in Noida, The Dark Darbar – Raat Ki Riyasat, built around the idea of “royal desi glamour meeting gothic luxury”. She says, “I decided on this theme because I wanted to combine Diwali and Halloween. People will be wearing outfits, along with Halloween-inspired looks. We will have face painting, glitter painting and a mehndi stamp station to bring in the ethnic element, while adding a Halloween touch.”Pallavi Bhatia, fragrance expert and founder of The Mad Nose, who is also bringing the Diwaloween concept to a SH/FT in Gurgaon, sees such gatherings as more than just an excuse to dress up. “It’s about creating spaces where different worlds collide, where people come as they are, and where a shared experience becomes something bigger than the event itself.” She has imagined a fragrance called Pumpkin Motichoor, combining the autumnal warmth of pumpkin with the richness of Indian mithai; the fragrance brings together two contrasting festive influences. “Pumpkin can provide a soft, spiced, autumnal foundation, while motichoor brings a richer Indian mithai character.” It will also feature food and beverages inspired by the ingredients in their blends, along withFrom spooky mithai to haunted lit-up havelisThe dining table, too, can get a festive-meets-frightful makeover. Sushmita suggests a chaat charcuterie board with papdi, mini samosas, colourful chutneys, pomegranate, spiced nuts and bowls of sev, with chutneys served in miniature cauldrons and playful labels inspired by Indian ghost stories.Content creator Unnati Vashi Umarvadia, who is based in Birmingham, suggests giving traditional Indian sweets a Halloween makeover. “Traditional Indian mithai can easily get a Halloween makeover. Add candy eyes and chocolate faces to kaju katli to create little ghosts, turn ladoos into adorable monsters, or dip Parle-G biscuits in chocolate and decorate them with festive sprinkles and candy eyes. These are simple, kid-friendly touches that make traditional sweets feel extra fun.”
Diwali mithai gets a spooky makeover, with googly-eyed treats bringing a playful touch (Pics: @sincerelyunnati)
On the decor front, she recommends choosing a colour palette that works for both celebrations rather than putting together two contrasting themes. “Think marigold orange, pink, purple, and gold. Incorporate miniature pumpkins alongside marigold flowers, diyas, and colourful serving pieces for a festive look that still feels elegant,” says Unnati.Yash Tiwari, co-founder of Filmy Safar – which curates movie-themed events, is keeping the food and decor in sync with the theme at his Noida party. “For the decor, we’re imagining a mix of warm diyas and golden lights with darker Halloween-inspired corners, pumpkins, spooky props, and dramatic lighting. For the food, we want the experience to complement the theme while keeping the festive spirit alive. We’ll have Halloween cupcakes, popcorn and snacks.”
