Diwali is one of the most sacred holidays on many South Asians calendars - observed not only by those of Hindu faith, but by Sikh, Jains, and some Buddhists too.

"Everybody is joyed, everybody is talking about it," said Ruby Brar of Diwali, which has finally returned to the Okanagan as an in-person event.

Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel's medical officer of health, says that while there aren't any public health concerns with Diwali itself, the public health concern is with large gatherings, which may be involved in Diwali celebrations.