BARTable Diwali events
Celebrate Diwali here in the Bay Area this year. AP Photo by Rajesh Kumar Singh, courtesy of CBS News.
Known as the “Festival of Lights,” Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. A major Hindu festival that is also widely observed across Jainism and Sikhism, Diwali is India’s biggest holiday of the year. Traditional practices include gathering with family, lighting small clay oil lamps (diyas), exchanging gifts, sharing sweets, setting off fireworks and decorating homes with colorful rangoli designs. This year, the holiday falls on November 8th, with the full five-day festival running from November 6th to November 10th, as determined by the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
To mark the holiday here in the Bay Area, several events are open to everyone. Here are just some of the Diwali celebrations you can attend in the coming weeks.
Use BART’s Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.
Enjoy special dance performances as part of the Asian Art Museum’s Diwali celebration on November 1st. Photo courtesy of the Asian Art Museum.
Diwali Celebration at the Lesher Center
Oct. 23-24 (Event times vary) | 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
This two-day Diwali celebration includes live performers and artists, mandala-making workshops and a street fair on Saturday with food and marketplace vendors. The performing arts programming includes comedian Nimesh Patel and the play, “Have You Seen the Sharmas?” Held at the Lesher Center for the Arts, the nearest BART Station (Walnut Creek) is just 0.5 miles away.
FOG Diwali Mela
Oct. 24 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) | 38442 Fremont Blvd, Fremont
Held at Washington High School in Fremont, this Diwali celebration includes a full day of programming, including live performances, a drone show, dance competitions and a fashion show. There will also be a large food area and sprawling shopping section with clothing, jewelry and more. The event is a little over 1.5 miles from Fremont BART.
Diwali Celebration at the Asian Art Museum
Nov. 1 (1 p.m.) | 200 Larkin St., San Francisco
The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is hosting a Diwali celebration during its “Free First Sunday” program on Nov. 1st. Enjoy art activities like rangoli and henna art, taste traditional Diwali sweets and watch dance performances by Labonee Mohanta featuring both traditional and modern Indian dance. The Asian Art Museum is just 0.2 miles from the Civic Center/UN Plaza BART Station.
Indian Restaurant Week for Diwali
Nov. 1-14 | Various restaurants, San Francisco
In the spirit of Diwali, Indian Restaurant Week in San Francisco features six chefs and six special menus created as a tribute to home and heritage. Participating restaurants include ROOH, Tiya, Bombay Brasserie, Amber India, New Delhi Restaurant and Copra. Four of the restaurants are within a few blocks of the Montgomery St. and Powell St. BART stations.
Get on the dance floor at the Oakland Diwali celebration. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland.
Oakland Diwali
Nov. 7 (6-10 p.m.) | 252 2nd Street, Oakland
This evening event in the Jack London district is a large-scale, family-friendly Diwali celebration. With dance and music performances, along with delicious Indian food, this free event blends South Asian culture with Oakland community vibes. The Lake Merritt BART station is 0.6 miles away.
San Francisco Diwali Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens
Nov. 8 (1-5 p.m.) | 750 Howard St., San Francisco
Head to Yerba Buena Gardens for an afternoon of Diwali festivities, including contemporary and traditional South Asian performances. This free, outdoor celebration also features a curated selection of local makers, artisan vendors and food. Performers include Grammy-nominated artist Alam Khan, the Raaga School of Music, Rang De Bollywood Dance Company, DJ Mumbai Rani and the Dhol King. Take BART to the festival, which is about 0.3 miles from Montgomery St.
Shop from local vendors and artisans at the Bhangra & Beats Diwali Night Market. Photo courtesy of Downtown SF Partnership.
Bhangra & Beats Diwali Night Market
Nov. 13 (4-9 p.m.) | 750 Howard St., San Francisco
This bhangra-themed night market returns for a Diwali edition, which is billed as the official City of San Francisco Diwali celebration. Held at Yerba Buena Gardens, the free event includes traditional Punjabi bhangra music with a dance floor, performances and dance lessons. As a night market, it also features local food vendors and artisans, along with family-friendly activities. Take BART to Montgomery St., and walk about 0.3 miles to Yerba Buena Gardens.
How are you celebrating Diwali?
