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As 2026 begins, Indian American communities across the United States are coming together to celebrate Sankranti—a festival rooted in gratitude, renewal, and togetherness. From coast to coast, cities are hosting kite-flying events, traditional Pongal cook-offs, temple rituals, and cultural programs that bring a taste of home to the diaspora. 

Here’s a curated guide to 14 Sankranti events across the country, helping Indian Americans kickstart the new year on a festive note.

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New Jersey

Somerset:

Marathi Vishwa said it will hold its Makar Sankranti 2026 program on Jan. 25,, at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset. The organization said the schedule includes a welcome dance, bor-nahan, lunch, activities and competitions, and a concluding haldi-kunku ceremony.

Pennsylvania

West Chester:

The Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) will organize Sankranti Sambaralu on Jan. 17, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pierce Middle School. The organization said the program will include dinner and children’s activities, including a kids’ village theme contest.

 

Chalfont:

The Telugu Association of Greater Delaware Valley is set to hold Sankranti Sambaralu on Jan. 24, from 2 p.m. onward at the Bharatiya Temple in Chalfont. The association said the event will include cultural programs and competitions, with free entry and free dinner, and that RSVP is required.

North Carolina:

Cary:

The North America Telugu Society (NATS) Raleigh chapter, in collaboration with the SSMNC Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir of North Carolina, will hold a Sankranthi Rangoli and Kids Kite Workshop on Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. at the SSMNC Temple on Maynard Road in Cary. 

Charlotte:

The Hindu Center of Charlotte has organized a Gau Puja on Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center said the program will include garland offering, feeding cows with fresh fodder and a blessing ceremony. The event will be held as a seva with a minimum donation, with donations accepted online and at the venue.

California

Pasadena:

The Pasadena Hindu Temple will celebrate Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal and Bihu on Jan. 14. The temple said the program will begin at 6 p.m. with Ganesh and Vishnu puja, followed by Satyanarayan katha, aarti and prasad.

Milpitas (Bay Area):

The Bay Area Telugu Association is hosting Sankranti Sambaralu and Andhra–Telangana Sampradaya Vindu Bhojanam on Jan. 26, at the India Community Center in Milpitas. The association said the full-day program will include cultural performances, youth dance programs, live songs, competitions including rangoli, cooking and art, and a traditional community feast.

San Diego:

The San Diego Maharashtra Mandal will organize its Makar Sankranti program on Jan. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hilltop Recreation Center. The organization said the program will include bor-nahan, games, haldi-kunku and lunch, and that one kite and string will be provided per family.

Virginia

North Chesterfield (Richmond area):

Sanatan Shree Swaminarayan Temple said it will hold a Makar Sankranti Jholi Utsav on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by mahaprasad (holy-feast)

Texas

Liberty Hill (Austin area):

Organizers of Austin’s Biggest Sankranti Mahotsav said the event will be held on Jan. 17, at Rio Ranch Fields in Liberty Hill. The program is set to include live singing by Devan Ekambaram, performances by the band Raagin, DJ music, Austin Dhol Rhythms, a kite festival, rangoli competitions, cultural performances, children’s fancy dress and talent shows. The organizers said entry and parking will be free.

Richmond (Houston area):

Vadtal Dham — Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple will host a Makar Sankranti Kite Festival on Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its temple in Richmond, Texas. The temple said the event will include kite flying, food stalls, and nominally priced kites and firki, and noted restrictions on nylon and glass-coated string.

Arizona

Phoenix:

The Indo-American Cultural and Religious Foundation of Arizona is hosting a Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan Kite Festival on Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bharatiya Ekta Mandir and the Indo-American Community Center. The foundation said the event will include kite flying, live music and snacks for purchase, with free entry and free parking.

Washington

Redmond:

Organizers of a community Sankranti festival said the event will be held on Jan. 17, at Redmond Middle School and will include kite flying and family-oriented activities.

Massachusetts

Framingham:

Bengali organization Dishari will celebrate Poush Sankranti 2026 on Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. at the Boston Church in Framingham. The organization said the event will bring together celebrations of Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri and will focus on regional Indian culture, art, music and food, with a platform for local artists and culinary enthusiasts. 

Makar Sankranti marks the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn and is observed across India as a harvest festival. Unlike many festivals tied to the lunar calendar, it falls on a fixed date each year and is known by different regional names, including Pongal, Lohri, Uttarayan and Magh Bihu, with traditions that range from temple rituals to large public gatherings.