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California’s best Navratri and Dussehra celebrations for 2025
Here are the finest Navratri and Dussehra events and cultural programs taking place in California this year. Bookmark this guide for some revelry and fun!
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Pallavi Mehra - Fri, 19, Sep 2025
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Representative Image / LA Garba Raas Night 2025
Navratri and Dussehra are around the corner, and several cities in California with large Indian-American communities are getting ready to celebrate in style. This year’s Navratri and Dussehra festivities range from traditional temple gatherings to large, modern festivals with live music and beautiful decor. Here are some of California's finest community events and cultural programs to attend this year.
Northern California: Bay Area & Sacramento
Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka (Pleasanton): This is one of the largest Indian festivals in North America, bringing together the celebrations of both Dussehra and Diwali. It will include an effigy burning of Ravana, an awe-inspiring fireworks show, and a “Great Indian Food Festival” with delicious food stalls from across different regions of India. Guests can also enjoy live music, dance performances, and a shopping marketplace with more than 150 vendors.
Bay Area Garba & Dandiya Nights: Throughout September and early October, several organizations are hosting large-scale Garba and Dandiya events with live bands. Cities like Sunnyvale, Cupertino, San Jose, and Fremont are hubs for these events, often including renowned artists and singers from India. These are ideal for those looking to dance the night away in traditional attire.
Durga Puja Celebrations: The Bay Area's Bengali community will host numerous Durga Puja events. Organizations such as Bay Area Prabasi and Pashchimi are organizing multi-day celebrations with traditional rituals, cultural programs, and live concerts by well-known singers and musicians.
Local Temple Celebrations: Temples such as the Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore and the a number of temples in the San Jose area will host a series of traditional pujas, prayers, and cultural programs throughout the nine nights of Navratri and on Dussehra, providing a spiritual and community-focused experience.
Southern California: Los Angeles & Orange County
Los Angeles Raas Garba Nights: Cities across the Los Angeles and Orange County counties will host their own vibrant Garba and Dandiya nights. Events in places like Pasadena, Costa Mesa, and Norwalk will feature live music from well-loved artists, food vendors, and a festive ambiance.
Garba Raas Night LA is one of the most popular events in Los Angeles during Navratri. The event’s proceeds will benefit SevaSphere, an organization taking a holistic approach to supporting the unhoused community.
“LA Garba Raas Night 2025 is back and better than ever! Join us for a night of energetic live music, non-stop dancing and community connection at Optimist Studios. LA GarbaRaas Night is a special community Navaratri celebration. Our goal through this event is to build community and celebrate Indian culture by teaching GarbaRaas to the next generation. We'll have dance lessons followed by garba, raas and Aarti. All the while, enjoy our vendor mela filled with vendors, food stations and activities for families,” said a representative of the event.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center's Navaratri Festival (Los Angeles): This is a more spiritual and introspective way to celebrate Navratri. The center will host nine nights of pujas (ceremonies) dedicated to the Divine Mother, with three nights for each of the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The final day will end with a special Vijayadashami puja.
Durga Puja Events in Southern California: The Bengali community in the Greater Los Angeles Area will celebrate Durga Puja with events including live concerts, dance performances, and traditional rituals. Organizations like the Valley Bengali Community and Dakshini Bengali Association will host multi-day celebrations.
First Annual Indian Food Festival of Los Angeles: While not specifically a Navratri or Dussehra event, this festival on October 4th will be an excellent way to celebrate Indian cuisine and culture. It will feature various food vendors, live music, DJs, and other entertainment, offering a festive setting perfect for the celebratory season.
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