The most-anticipated recognition of Diwali as a public holiday in California is just GOV Gavin Newsom’s signature away. California would be the largest US state to celebrate the festival of lights this year, and the below list of Diwali events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Irvine, Dublin, and Sunnyvale would make it extra special. Temple pujas, Annakut offerings, Ramayan musicals, fireworks, cultural performances, and family activities are among the highlights of California Diwali events in 2025.
The selection of places for Diwali celebration in California is brought to you by Travel Beats, a leading portal for diaspora stories and US-India travel news by IndianEagle.com. Please note the events listed below are not our official recommendations. Wish you a very happy Deepavali (in advance) with a flat $25 discount on cheap airline tickets to India. Click here for the Indian Eagle flight discount code.
The Fog Diwali Mela, Fremont is one of the largest Diwali celebrations in Bay Area, California. Organized by Festival of Globe (FOG), this all-day Fremont Fog Diwali 2025 mela offers live music, Bollywood and folk dance shows, cultural exhibits, and delicious Indian food stalls. Families can enjoy free parking, shopping booths, and kids’ activities and competitions while celebrating together in a vibrant atmosphere.
Among Diwali events in California, the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka of Pleasanton is the largest Indian celebration in North America, drawing over 30,000 attendees to the Bay Area. This iconic event combines the essence of Dussehra and Diwali into one unforgettable day of culture, devotion, entertainment, shopping, and community spirit.
Hosted by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA), the Pleasanton Diwali 2025 event is a celebration of Indian culture and heritage. The event program schedule features Ram Leela stage shows, Ram Mandir experience, Ravana Dahan, fireworks, Lakshmi Aarti, Dandiya, art competitions, Bollywood music and dance performances. More than 100 vendors sell Indian food, clothes, jewelry, and festive items, making it a complete cultural experience.
The San Francisco Bay Area Diwali events list is incomplete without a mention of Sunnyvale’s Diwali festival. Downtown Sunnyvale will light up with its annual Diwali celebration, hosted by the South Asian Cultural Association of Sunnyvale (SACAS). The 2025 Sunnyvale Diwali Festival will come alive with cultural performances, live music, rangoli displays, diya painting competition, and henna art. Families can treat themselves to authentic Indian street food while shopping at festive stalls selling jewelry, clothing, and hand-crafted items.
Also Check: Visit Ganesh and Hanuman Temple Atop Mount Madonna in California
The Dublin Diwali Mela is making its debut on the list of California Diwali events in 2025. Organized at Emerald Glen Park by TriValley Hindu Connect with support from the City of Dublin and local Indian groups, this event promises to be a rollercoaster of fun and entertainment through cultural dance, Bollywood shows, Dandiya, food stalls, crafts, and a diya lighting ceremony. It is designed to a community-driven Diwali celebration.
The 23rd Bay Area Diwali Festival is a free public event that brings nearly 15,000 people to Cupertino Memorial Park. It is one of the most popular Diwali events in the Bay Area, San Francisco. Families can enjoy live classical and Bollywood performances, children’s art workshops, rangoli and diya painting, henna, cultural exhibits, and Indian food. In the evening, the community gathers for a spectacular aarti, symbolizing peace and unity that Diwali signifies.
If you are looking to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way, you must visit Sacramento’s BAPS Mandir for one of the most traditional Diwali events in California. Families can attend Chopda Pujan (account-book prayers) and Lakshmi Puja on Diwali day, followed by the grand Annakut festival, where a myriad number of vegetarian food dishes are offered to the deities. The temple premises is beautifully decorated with rangoli, lights, and festive displays.
If spiritual ambience is your interest, then the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills is one of the best places to celebrate Diwali in Los Angeles, California. Every year, the temple hosts a grand four-day celebration comprising devotional worship, cultural festivities, and community bonding making it a must-visit landmark for Diwali celebrations in Southern California. Chopda Pujan and Annakut (a sacred, diverse, culinary offering to the deities) are among the highlights of Diwali at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, Los Angeles. The entire temple premises wears a festive look with diyas, rangolis, and flamboyant displays.
Among the best Diwali events across Southern California is Ektaa Diwali Festival in Irvine. Organized by the Ektaa Center with support from the City of Irvine, the event at Green Park features fireworks, live cultural concerts, classical and Bollywood dances, games for children, and shopping stalls. It is one of the most-awaited family events for SoCal Indians.
The Hindu Mandir Society of San Diego, popularly known as Shri Mandir, hosts a vibrant Diwali Mela every year. The 2025 Diwali celebration will include Lakshmi Puja, Aarti, bhajans, cultural performances by local artists, fun activities, Bollywood dances, ethnic food stalls, and festive craft stalls. The temple becomes a hub of devotion and joy, making it one of the best places to celebrate Diwali in Southern California.
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