Diwali Sale 2026: Dates, Bank Offers and How to Get the Best Deals

The festive sale season is here. Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November, and India’s biggest shopping platforms have opened their sales a month ahead of it. Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra and AJIO are all running major events in the second week of October.

Big sales are where the year’s best prices land, but they are also where inflated MRPs, short-lived stock and confusing bank terms trip people up. This guide covers the dates, the card offers that matter, and a simple plan to make sure the deal you grab is actually a deal.

Diwali sale 2026 dates at a glance

Amazon, Flipkart and Myntra have not announced closing dates. Bank discounts come with a minimum order value and a cap per card, so read the offer terms before you pay. Details are as reported on 7 October 2026 and can change during the sale.

Mark these dates

• 7 to 9 October: sales open. The headline deals on phones, TVs and appliances usually appear in the first 48 hours and sell out fastest.
• Late October: second wave. In past years, platforms have run a second, shorter Diwali sale. Useful if you missed a deal or a price drops further.
• Friday, 6 November: Dhanteras. Traditionally the day for buying gold, silver, utensils and new appliances. If you want delivery before Dhanteras, order by late October.
• Sunday, 8 November: Diwali. For gifts, leave at least a week for delivery. Courier networks are at their busiest in the days before the festival.

Your card decides the platform

For most big-ticket purchases, the 10% bank discount is worth more than the difference in listed price between two platforms. On a ₹40,000 phone, a 10% instant discount can take up to ₹4,000 off, subject to the card’s cap. The listed price for the same model on two platforms is often close, so the card offer usually decides where you save more.

Start with your wallet:

• SBI credit or debit card: check Amazon first.
• Axis Bank or ICICI Bank card: check Flipkart first.
• Neither: compare the final checkout price on both, and use coupons and cashback to close the gap.

Always compare the price after the bank discount, not the banner price. Check whether the offer applies to EMI, and whether it is capped per card or per transaction.

Where to look first

• Amazon: electronics, home and kitchen appliances, and everyday essentials. See today’s picks on our Amazon deals page.
• Flipkart: smartphones, televisions and large appliances, especially with exchange offers. Browse our Flipkart deals page.
• Myntra: clothing, footwear, beauty and ethnic wear for Diwali. Our Myntra deals page tracks the best drops.
• AJIO: fashion and premium brands, with the sale running until 18 October. See AJIO deals.

Stack your savings in the right order

Most platforms allow a store coupon and a bank offer on the same order, and cashback comes on top. Use them in this order:

1. Check the real price. Look at price history and compare across platforms before trusting the discount banner.
2. Apply the store coupon in the cart. Watch the minimum cart value.
3. Pay with the card that unlocks the bank offer. If the bank discount disappears after you apply a coupon, you have hit a stacking block. Pick whichever saves more.
4. Add cashback. Cashback is calculated on the amount you actually pay, so it shrinks slightly as other discounts grow, but the combination still beats any single offer.

More detail in our guide to coupon stacking in India.

Spot a fake discount before you pay

A 70% off banner means little if the MRP was never the real price. Three quick checks:

• Price history: use a price tracker to see the last 90 days. A price below the 90-day low is worth acting on.
• Pre-sale price bump: some listings rise in the weeks before a sale so the discount looks steeper on day one. A tracker shows this in seconds.
• Same product, other platforms: if the sale price matches what another store charges every day, it is not a sale.

Read the full breakdown: how to tell a real discount from a fake MRP.

Your Diwali sale checklist

1. Build your wishlist now and note today’s price for each item.
2. Save your address and payment method before early access opens, so checkout takes seconds.
3. Confirm your card qualifies: credit or debit, EMI or full payment, minimum order value and cap.
4. For lightning deals, set a reminder and keep the item in your cart.
5. On phones and appliances, compare the exchange value with what you could get selling privately.
6. Check the delivery date before paying, especially for Dhanteras and Diwali gifts.
7. Read the return policy. Categories like innerwear, beauty and some electronics often have limited or replacement-only returns.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026?

Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026.

When does the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2026 start?

On 8 October 2026. SBI credit and debit cardholders get a 10% instant discount on eligible purchases, including EMI.

When is Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026?

The sale opens to everyone on 9 October 2026, with early access from 8 October for Flipkart Plus and Black members. Axis Bank and ICICI Bank cards get up to 10% instant discount.

Can I use a coupon, a bank offer and cashback together?

Usually, yes: a store coupon plus a bank offer, with cashback on top. Two store coupons on one order almost never work.

Should I buy on day one or wait for the Diwali sale?

If the price is at or near its 90-day low and your card offer applies, buy. If not, keep it on your list. A second sale closer to Diwali is common, and stock on non-headline items usually holds.

We update our Top Deals page every day through the festive season. Check it before you buy, and happy Diwali.