Actually the Diwali Festival the festival of lights also known as Deepawali started on October 15 and runs until the 19 but October 17 is the big day.
On October 16 people are shown busy shopping in Indians prepare for upcoming Hindus Diwali festival (Eastday.com).
Outside India, local expat communities had their own events way before the actual date.
Dace Cook of Eating in Translation shares the Street Food he tasted at Jackson Heights Diwali Mela (October 14).
The Dallas Fort Worth Diwali Mela brought some 100,000 people to the new Cowboys Stadium on October 4.
In the UK, Leicester celebrated with Diwali Day (my illustration) on October 17
And there were more from New Zealand to Trinidad to I am sure some parts of New Jersey.
Happy Diwali 2009!
Related: Holi, Holiday, Holi, the Festival of Colors has a bit of Mischief Night to it