California Diwali Festivals, Events

CUPERTINO: Annual Bay Area Diwali Festival of Lights, October 8, 2022, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Memorial Park
10185 N. Stelling Rd.
Cupertino, CA
Free
cupertino-chamber.org
Live Entertainment & Music
Business Booths
Fun Kids Zone
Bounce Houses & Jump Abouts
Characters, Pony Ride & Petting Zoo
Magic Shows, Face Painting & Henna
Free Wood & Craft Workshops
Arts & Crafts Booths
International Food Court
The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and its Asian American Business Council (AABC) produces this event. This FREE event brings over 15,000 people to our beautiful and is a showcase of multicultural music, dance, fun kids zone, workshops, arts and crafts, fun, frolic and food.

The literal meaning of 'Diwali' in Sanskrit is 'a row of lamps'. The most popular tradition of Diwali is filling little clay lamps with oil and wick and lighting them in rows all over the house to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness.  Diwali is India's most important holiday of the year -- as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.  Celebrated in October or November with family gatherings, street festivals, dinners with entertainment and festive fireworks, Diwali has become a national festival that is enjoyed in India regardless of faith. It is also popular in California amongst the Indian population.

SUNNYVALE: Diwali Celebration  October 15, 2022, 10 a.m. 
2022 Sunnyvale Diwali Festival - free family event 2022 Sunnyvale Diwali Festival - free family event  Sunnyvale Community Center, Sunnyvale, CA Free SouthAsianCulturalAssociation of Sunnyvale (SACAS) 

 

Past events

ELK GROVE: Festival of Lights October 22, 2019, 6-9 p.m. Celebrate the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, selfless service, and good over evil at this seasonal celebration observed by the Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist cultures. Experience cultural dances and refreshments with your friends and neighbors. Location: Elk Grove Community Center 8230 Civic Center Drive E. Free admission, yourcsd.com

BUENA PARK: Diwali Party November 9, 2018, 8 p.m.
Amaya Restaurant (Yellow Chili)
7850 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park
$20-25, facebook.com/ events/271554080138134/
Venmo: @diwaliparty (Please include the names of the attendees in the description and the school you are attending on behalf of)
CSU Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona ISA are proud to present our annual Diwali Party! We can't wait to spend a night full of dancing and fun with all of you, so get ready! Includes meal and open bar. Formal or Indian Clothing is recommended. For any other questions, please contact us: Isa Csuf

CHINO HILLS: Grand Annakut Darshan November 8, 2018
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Chino Hills
15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd.
Chino Hills, CA
 baps.org
The day following Diwali is the beginning of the Hindu New Year. The Hindu New Year is traditionally celebrated with the Annakut  literally meaning, a mountain of food. Every year over 1,000 unique thals (vegetarian delicacies) are offered in devotional gratitude for the past year and to seek blessings for the New Year ahead. The Annakut offering includes hundreds of items of food, snacks, sweets, pickles, spicy dishes, salads, fruit drinks and other items devotionally prepared by devotees. We cordially invite you for darshan of the Grand Annakut with family and friends.

CHINO HILLS: Kids Diwali Festival November 10, 2018, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Chino Hills
15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd.
Chino Hills, CA
$15-20, Register baps.org/
Join the annual Children's Diwali Celebrations. A day filled with culture, festivities, food, games, rides & fun!

MILPITAS: Diwali 2018
Shreemaya Krishnadham
25 Corning Ave.,
Milpitas, CA 95035
bayvp.org
Chopda Poojan November 7, 2018, 6-8:30 p.m.
Nutan Varsh Milan November 8, 2018, 7-9:30 a.m.
Goverdhan Pooja November 11, 2018, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Annakut Celebration November 11, 2018, 1:30-7 p.m.
Tulsi Vivah Celebration November 18, 2018, 3-6 p.m.

LIVERMORE: Diwali  Festival of the Lights November 3, 2018  Bankhead Theater
2400 First Street
Livermore, CA
Free, lvpac.org
Free family event on the Bankhead Plaza, a joint project of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center and the Youth and Education Hindu Cultural Community Center in Livermore. Traditional Diwali activities as diya decorations, henna, rangoli art, Indian classical songs and dancing, as well as a storytelling of the history and meaning of Diwali. Free craft projects for children will be set up and food and jewelry available for sale. All activities will take place in front of the e. Join us at the Bankhead Theater Plaza November 3rd from 11am-2pm FREE event for everyone.

HAYWARD: Diwali Gala November 3, 2018
sindhicommunity.org

IRVINE: EktaaDiwali Celebration! November 3, 2018
Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92618
Free family event featuring food, and vendors, plus a cultural program not far from UCI campus.

LOS ANGELES: Diwali Festival of Lights November 3, 2018 6:30 p.m.
Royal Delhi Palace
22323 Sherman Way
Los Angeles, CA 
$, toics.org
Indian Cultural Society of LA & Indian Community of SoCal cultural celebration includes food, vendors, raffles, and DJ Tony the Tiger.

NORWALK: SRBS of USA  Diwali Celebration November 3, 2018
Bhakta Cultural Center, 12311 Firestone Blvd, Norwalk, CA
Shree RamKabir Bhakta Samaj of Southern California
bhaktasca.org
 Dinner and Greetings
Cultural Program
Mega entertainment

RIVERSIDE: Annual Deepavali Program November 2-11, 2018
Hindu Society Of Inland Empire, CA
9292 Magnolia Ave.
riversidetemple.org
Deepa Pooja Friday, November 2, 2018
Maha Rudra Sudarshan Homa November 2-4, 2018 Deepavali/Lakshmi Puja  November 6, 2018,
Chopda Puja November 7, 2018, 6:45 PM
Anna Kuta November 8, 5 p.m
Lakshmi Pujan November 11, 2018, 11:30 a.m.

SAN DIEGO:  Monday, October 16, 2017, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Windansea
Produced by Sony Electronics Inc 16535 Via Esprillo San Diego, CA 92127
Reservations required on eventbrite.com
Rangoli (traditional colorful floor designs) & Henna, Lunch (Indian Vegetarian), Entertainment and dance Dress Code option: Asian-Indian traditional

SAN FRANCISCO:  Diwali Bollywood Party with Bombaylove November 10, 2018, 9:30 p.m.
251 Rhode Island
251 Rhode Island Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
$10-15, bombaylove.com  21+, pre-purchase for this sellout event
Sweets, great music and a photobooth to keep the festive spirit flowing. A sell-out event for past 5 years, don't miss celebrating Diwali with  Henna Designs (Limited) Diwali Sweets (Limited) Photobooth Decorative Diyas Diwali theme decorated venue. Ethnic Indian attire is encouraged!

SANTA ANA: TASC Diwali  November 18, 2018, 4-9 p.m.  
Santa Ana High School Auditorium, 520 West Walnut Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 
Organizers: Telugu Association of Southern California
R. P. Patnaik performs in Concert
$10-50
Telugu Association of Southern California Presents TASC Dhoom Dhoom DIWALI 

SAN RAMON: Bata Diwali November 17, 2018
Dougherty Valley High School, 10550 Albion Rd, San Ramon, CA 94582 
$10-50, bata.org
Bay Area Telugu Association presents this event with musical Artists: Nikhil Siddharth Lavanya Tripathi and more.

MONROVIA:  Diwali Celebration November 10, 2018, 4-10 p.m.
Monrovia High School
845 West Colorado Blvd.
Monrovia, CA
$15-25,  Email: us.sulekha@sulekha.net
Purchase by phone 1-512-788-5300
Celebrate Diwali Cultural Performances by Kids and Adults. The program show is organized in different categories (Bollywood, Classical, Folk, Fusion, Vocals, Musicals, skits and much more). There will be a rangoli competition  11 am - 1 pm and winner will be announced. Please contact 310-736-5705 for more details. This beautiful program will be take you on journey of diverse cultural inheritance to celebrate diwali. Dinner is included with all paid tickets. Free admission for kids under 5 years old and Participants under 17 years old. 

SIMI VALLEY: Diwali and Cultural Program November 3, 2018
sfvga.org

THOUSAND OAKS: India Festival October 28, 2018
Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
2100 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, CA - 91362
Free admission! indiafriendsassociation.org
Walk through two villages - one from Tamil Nadu and the other from Punjab and learn about how diverse the cultures are. Come dressed up in costumes from Punjab or Tamil Nadu, Watch a charming love story unfold through dance and music throughout the day! Be part of a traditional wedding party and dance in joy. Attend workshops conducted by from some of the foremost artists and much more! 

LOS ALTOS: Saaral 2018 With Trisha November 17, 2018, 5 p.m.
Smithwick Theatre
Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos, CA
Cancer Institute Foundation
$25-50

STOCKTON: Diwali Celebration November 3, 2018, 7 p.m.
McNair High Auditorium
9550 Ronald E. McNair Way, Stockton, CA
iasjc.org

SAN DIEGO: Diwali Festival of Lights October 20, 2018
Balboa Park Spreckels Organ Pavilion
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA
sdias.info
San Diego Indian-American Society hosts a day-long festival in Balboa Park 

NORWALK: Diwali Celebration November 3, 2018
Sanatan Dharma Temple
15311 Norwalk Blvd.
Bhakta Cultural Center
12311 Firestone Blvd
Norwalk, CA 90650
Hosted by: Shree RamKabir Bhakta Samaj of Southern California
bhaktasca.org

SAN JOSE: Grand Annakut Darshan Saturday November 10, 2018
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
1430.California Circle,
Milpitas, CA 95035 USA
baps.org/Sanjose
(408) 263-2277
Kids Kids' Diwali Celebration November 17, 2018

PLEASANTON: Diwali Festival and Fireworks October 6, 2018
Diwali Mela - Fireworks
Alameda County Fair Grounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton, CA
Celebrate Diwali, Festival of Lights. Join thousands of people in the only Diwali celebration with spectacular fireworks and an amazing laser show. 

SAN FRANCISCO: Diwali Celebration
brahmakumaris.org

SAN FRANCISCO: Diwali Bollywood Dance Night Dance Festival 
California College of the Arts
1111 8th Street
San Francisco, CA 94107 
$25-30, student affairs office or eventbrite.com | cca.edu
Dress in your fanciest Indian clothes and bring out your best Bollywood moves! Asha SF and the California College of the Arts (CCA) bring to you the much awaited annual Diwali/Bollywood Dance Night, a memorable event with an all you can eat BUFFET of delicious Indian food from Kasa and a LIVE DJ to fuel the Bollywood dancing! Asha SF is a non-profit, zero-overhead organization with the goal of providing basic education to the underprivileged children in India.

SAN RAMON: Diwali at San Ramon 
Windemere Ranch Middle School
11611 East Branch Parkway
San Ramon, CA 94582
$22, eventbrite.com
San Ramon Cultural Fests Committee and Brooks Landry Real Estate Group present Diwali, an evening of fun, festival of lights and entertainment galore with Food, Cultural Performances, Live DJ, Spot Events, Raffles, Best Dressed Male, Female, Kids and a Play Area.

WINDSOR: Diwali Festivals of Lights
Mary Agatha Furth Center
8400 Old Redwood Highway
Windsor, CA
$ 30, northbayindia.org
Theme: Triumph Of Good Over Evil!  Pooja, Henna Booth, Photo Boot and other fun activities, Dinner, Entertainment Program, DJ Dance

SAN DIEGO: Diwali Mela
Stone Ranch Elementary School
16150 4S Ranch Parkway
San Diego, CA 92127
MINX Events
India's cultural celebration of Diwali returns to 4S Ranch Community. 2000+ in attendance last year. 50 Community groups and Bollywood Dance company performances  Admission: $5

ARTESIA:  Diwali Mela 
Federation of Indian American Association holds 18700 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, For information: 562-882-9922.

SAN RAMON:  Diwali Dhamaka
Amador Rancho Community Center Bella Vista Room A
1998 Rancho Park Loop
San Ramon, CA,
Bolly Rhythmz Presents:  Indian Traditional Attire appropriate. 

SAN DIEGO: Royal DIVA Diwali Party 
Royal India Miramar Royal Banquet
8990 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92126
Royal Group By Sam Kambo
$ 60, $30 child, call (619) 252-6800
ROYALE dinner and desserts | Live Band & Antakshari | DJ dance party | Specialty drinks

Diwali Festival of Lights 
Artesia Park 4-10 pm
Presented by the Global Peace Foundation
Cultural event featuring entertainment, vendors, food
and more.

FREMONT 
Sakoon Indian Restaurant
39195 Farwell Drive
Fremont, CA 94538
$39
Sumptuous buffet, red carpet, fashion show, With Golu Awards at the Diwali extravaganza.

MILPITAS: Bata-Diwali with Karthic Music Experience
Grand Community Center
525 Los Coches St.
Milpitas, CA
$35-100
bata.org
Bay Area Telugu Association presents Bata Diwali Dhamaka to benefit Sankara Eye Foundation. Dance performances, music concert with Madhu Iyer, Sakthi Sree and many more!

FRESNO: Annakut Darshan
Kids' Diwali Saturday, 
baps.org/Fresno

UPLAND: Inland Empire Desi Indians Diwali Dinner & Live Music Party 
Swad of Inida Royal Banquet Hall
1410 W. 7th
Upland, CA
eventbrite.com/
(909) 946-7923
$35 approx., free under age 8 years, must pre-purchase
Delicious vegetarian appetizers, dinner catered by Aroma Restaurant, Bollywood Spectacular and more.

Sunnyvale Diwali 
Location: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, 420-450 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale CA 94089
Hosted by: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple
sunnyvale-hindutemple.org
NZ Diwali Kids Talent Show includes singing and fancy dress competitions.

MILPITAS: Diwali Celebration Festival of Lights 
Jain Temple
722 S. Main Street
Milpitas, CA 95035
bkmilpitas.org | jcnc.org
RSVP Required!  

LOS ANGELES AIS Diwali 
University of Southern California
Bovard Auditorium
3551 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, CA
The Association of Indian Students at the University of Southern California (AIS)
aisusc.org/events

SACRAMENTO: New Year's Arti  October 31, 2016, 6:30 p.m.
Chopda Pujan October 28, 2016, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Annakut Darshan  October 30, 2016, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kids' Diwali  October 30, 2016, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
baps.org/Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

LOS ANGELES Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 7-10 p.m.
USC Ronald Tutor Campus Center Ballroom
3607 Trousdale Pkwy,
Los Angeles, California
facebook.com/ events/1692129854448735/
Diwali is one of the most celebrated and festive events of the Hindu religion. The goal of USC HSO's annual Diwali event is to provide a place for students, away from home or near, to join in the prayer and merriment of a shared culture.
 

Newark Diwali Disco Dandia Dhamaal  October 15, 2016
Newark Memorial High School, 39375 Cedar Blvd, Newark, CA 94560
Hosted by: Small Steps Foundation (SSF)
smallstepsfoundation.org

RICHMOND: Diwali-Festival of Lights Dance October 15, 2016, 3-5 p.m.
Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center Join us for the Diwali-Festival of Lights dance event at the Richmond Auditorium. It will be a magical time of music, dancing, lots of lights, snacks, and fun!! Tickets are available for purchase at the Community Services Department and at the Zumba classes. Call (510) 620-6793 or Oscar I. Solano at (916) 397-7157 for tickets and more information. ci.richmond.ca.us

DIAMOND BAR: Diwali Bazaar Fashion Exhibition Sale OCT 16 2016, 11:00AM P! Diwali Bazaar Fashion Exhibition Sale! Sunday, Peacock garden, 23347 Golden Springs Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

MODESTO: Diwali Celebration
Gallo Center
1000 I Street
Modesto, CA
Tickets $50-100, call (209) 918-0346
Showcasing the rich fabric of Indian classical dance, music, rhythm, and the stories of ancient times By Farah Shaikh Renowned Kathak artist, with Ben Kumin, Jim Owen, and Deepti Warrier

CARLSBAD: Diwali Mela
Carlsbad, CA
North County Indian American Society

 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.