Navratri & Garba 2026 in Dublin CA: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR 🪔

• Navratri 2026 runs from October 11 through October 20, ending with Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
• Dublin's Tri-Valley Indian community has built a real Garba and Dandiya tradition at local venues
• Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple at 6930 Village Pkwy is the area's anchoring religious venue
• The Silicon Valley Asian Association hosted a Dandiya night at Hillview Event Hall this season; Dublin High School also hosted community dance events
• Karva Chauth follows on October 29 — keep it on the calendar

The Navratri Calendar for 2026

Navratri — nine nights dedicated to the divine feminine — is one of the most widely observed festivals in the South Asian diaspora, and the Tri-Valley area has developed its own rhythm around it. In 2026, the festival opens on October 11 and runs through the night of October 19, with Durga Ashtami falling on October 18 and Dussehra (Vijayadashami) on October 20.

Each of the nine nights honors a distinct form of the Goddess. The observance cuts across regional and sectarian lines: Gujaratis bring Garba and Dandiya Raas, Bengali communities center the festival on elaborate Durga Puja pandals, and families from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka each mark the nine nights in their own ways. In Dublin and the broader East Bay, the Gujarati tradition of large-format Garba has historically drawn the biggest mixed-community crowds.

The puja calendar surrounding Navratri is dense. Ganesh Chaturthi fell on September 14. Ekadashi came on October 6. Amavasya, the new moon, was observed on October 10 — just one day before Navratri opened. After the festival closes with Dussehra on October 20, the next major observance is Karva Chauth on October 29, a day marked by many North Indian and Punjabi families.

Where Dublin Celebrates 🎉

Dublin's South Asian community has built real event infrastructure for Navratri, and the Tri-Valley corridor has been among the more active stretches in the East Bay.

Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple at 6930 Village Pkwy, Suite C, Dublin, CA 94568 is the primary religious venue for observant Hindus in the area. Temple programs during Navratri typically include daily puja, aarti, and special havan ceremonies across the nine nights and culminating on Dussehra. The temple can be reached at (925) 596-9757 for program schedules. For the devotional dimension of the festival — as distinct from the social dance events — the temple calendar is the right starting point.

For Garba and Dandiya nights, Dublin and nearby Pleasanton have drawn event organizers from across the Bay Area. The Silicon Valley Asian Association ran a Dandiya event at Hillview Event Hall, 2500 Positano Pkwy, during the 2026 Navratri season. Dublin High School has served as a Garba venue in recent years as well. Tickets for popular Garba nights in the Tri-Valley sell out weeks in advance; the busiest nights — typically the seventh, eighth, and ninth nights — go first.

Understanding Garba and Dandiya Raas

For families newer to the tradition, some context is useful. Garba is a circular dance form originating in Gujarat, performed primarily during Navratri. Participants move in concentric rings, stepping and clapping in rhythmic patterns, often while holding small diyas or other symbolic items. Dandiya Raas adds short wooden sticks — dandiya — which paired dancers strike together in coordinated sequences.

Modern Bay Area events blend classical Garba circles with Bollywood-inflected choreography, DJ sets, and live dhol drumming. The dress code at most South Asian community events favors traditional chaniya choli for women and kediyu-dhoti or kurta-pajama for men, with mirror-work and embroidery as defining aesthetic elements. Vendors at or near major venues often sell accessories, bindis, and rental attire.

Insider Tip: At large Tri-Valley Garba events, buying tickets online in advance is not just convenient — it is often the only way in. Walk-up availability at sold-out nights is rare. If you have young children or older family members, look for family-hour or early-entry sessions when organizers offer them; they provide the full experience without the late-night press.

Dussehra: How October 20 Closes the Festival 🌟

Navratri ends with Dussehra on October 20, 2026, also called Vijayadashami. The day commemorates the victory of Rama over Ravana in the Ramayana and, more broadly, the triumph of righteousness over adharma. In parts of northern India, the day is marked with the public burning of large Ravana effigies. Bay Area communities sometimes organize Dussehra programs at temples and community centers. Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple is the natural point of contact for local observances.

Vijayadashami also carries significance in southern Indian traditions as an auspicious day for beginning new studies or acquiring new tools — the day is associated with Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and schools in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu mark it with Vidyarambham ceremonies.

FAQ

Q: Is Navratri the same as Garba? No. Navratri is the nine-night festival; Garba is the dance form from Gujarat that is performed during Navratri. Not all Navratri observances involve Garba dancing.

Q: What should I wear to a Garba event in Dublin? Traditional attire is the norm. Women typically wear chaniya choli; men wear kediyu or kurta-pajama. Vendors near popular event venues often sell and rent attire. Comfortable footwear is important — Garba involves extended dancing.

Q: Can families with children attend community Garba nights? Most large Bay Area Garba events are family-friendly, though the later hours can be difficult for young children. Check with organizers for any early-session or family-hour options.

Q: What is the significance of Durga Ashtami? Durga Ashtami falls on the eighth night of Navratri — October 18 in 2026. It is considered the most auspicious night of the festival and is associated with intense worship of Goddess Durga in her eight-armed form, Mahagauri.

Q: Where can I find updated schedules for temple programs during Navratri? Contact Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple directly at (925) 596-9757 or through its website at panchamukhahanuman.org for current puja and event schedules.

Bottom Line

Navratri 2026 in Dublin and the Tri-Valley gives community members both the devotional and the festive. Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple anchors the spiritual side of the nine nights; Garba events organized by groups like the Silicon Valley Asian Association and hosted at venues across the East Bay handle the rest. Mark October 11 as the start, plan through Dussehra on the 20th, and keep October 29 open for Karva Chauth.