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5 Indian festivals you must experience in the U.S.
Missing home? Don’t worry – No matter where you are in the U.S., Indian festivals have a way of making you feel right at home.
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Manvi Pant - Thu, 16, Oct 2025
- 15:30 EDT
- 21
Representative Image / AI generated using Perplexity
Whether you are a second-generation Indian American carrying forward ancestral traditions and values or a first-generation immigrant reconnecting with your roots, Indian festivities have become a powerful way to connect with your identity and people and fondly remember your motherland.
If you are away from home and missing the noise of Diwali crackers or the vibrant Navratri and Garba nights, we have got your back. Whether you’re in the Bay Area, New Jersey, Houston, or Nashville—chances are, one of these festivals has already made its way into your neighborhood calendar.
Diwali—The Festival of Lights
When: October–November
Oh! You cannot miss this one! Every fall, Diwali transforms American cities into mini Indias. New York’s Times Square Diwali Festival, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, pulls a massive crowd with fireworks and Bollywood celebrities in attendance. At the same time, the Bay Area’s Cupertino Diwali Mela invites the region’s massive Indian tech community. In Chicago, Devon Avenue glows with lights, and the smell of freshly-made Diwali sweets is unmissable. In Houston, temples and cultural centers open their doors for spiritual experiences. Diwali in the U.S. isn’t just a festival — it’s a sentiment, a gentle reminder of how Indian culture has become a part of the American fabric.
Navratri & Garba Nights – Dancing for the Divine
When: September–October
Navratri is the celebration of feminine power, divine energy, resilience, and renewal. In New Jersey, where Gujarati communities are among the largest in the U.S., arenas like Raritan Expo Center and Edison Convention Hall come alive with people dancing to the sound of dhol beats, donning beautiful chaniya cholis. Chicago hosts the biggest garba events led by local cultural associations, while Dallas and San Francisco feature traditional Navratri exhibitions, cultural programs, and community celebrations. If you are in and around these cities, make sure to attend these events to experience how faith, rhythm, and joy can travel continents.
Pongal & Makar Sankranti – Joyous Harvest Festivals
When: January
If you want to experience the South Indian hospitality in the U.S., then Pongal and Sankranti celebrations are not to be missed. The Bay Area’s Tamil and Telugu associations organize open-air harvest festivals featuring sugarcane and Kolam art. New Jersey’s temples and community halls bring together families from across the East Coast. For Nashville’s thriving South Indian community, Pongal is a key cultural event. In Chicago, the Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts becomes a hub of cultural extravaganza on Makar Sankranti. In Dallas, the Bengali community celebrates the harvest festival with traditional sweets like Patishapta and special dishes like khichadi.
Holi—The Festival of Colors
When: March
If you’ve ever seen clouds of pink, blue, and yellow colored powder turning the city into live paintings—well, that’s Holi! Not just an Indian festival but an emotion, a spirit of joy, and collective happiness. It’s no coincidence that the biggest Holi celebrations take place in LA, Atlanta, Austin, and D.C.—cities buzzing with young Indian professionals and college students who turn this festival into a vibrant cultural crossover.
Onam—The Festival of Unity
When: August–September
In Houston for Onam? You’re definitely in for a treat! The signature Sadya served on a banana leaf, beautiful pookalam, and traditional performances that capture the soul of Kerala—it’s an offer too hard to refuse. Malayali communities, including the Malayalees of Greater Houston (MAGH) and those across the U.S. from Seattle to Tampa, celebrate this festival of unity with grandeur. In Philadelphia, it is often celebrated in public parks with both Keralite and non-Indian families joining in.
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