Thousands of people gathered at Montclair Art Museum to celebrate Diwali.

The celebration included food, drinks, music and performances. Diwali officially begins at the end of the month.

Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India — and for Hindus in particular. It is celebrated across faiths by more than a billion people in the world’s most populous nation and the diaspora. Over five days, people take part in festive gatherings, fireworks displays, feasts and prayer.

AP Wire Services were used in this report.