25,000 Descend on Pleasanton for Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka at Alameda County Fairgrounds
More than 25,000 Bay Area residents gathered at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in an event organized by the Association of Indo Americans with the help of over 150 volunteers. Bollywood performances, RamLeela storytelling, Dandiya dancing, and a live fireworks show over the fairgrounds marked the occasion. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan were among the elected officials who attended, reflecting the growing civic stature of the South Asian community in the region.
🎉 Thousands Light Up Pleasanton for Diwali
More than 25,000 people gathered at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton on a Saturday night to celebrate Diwali — the Hindu Festival of Lights — in what has become one of the Bay Area's most prominent South Asian cultural events. The celebration was organized by the Association of Indo Americans with the support of more than 150 dedicated volunteers, drawing families from across the Bay Area who came for music, food, fashion, and a fireworks display that lit up the night sky over the fairgrounds. Among those who attended was Neha Agarwal, a Union City resident who brought her two children so they could connect with Indian traditions she grew up with. "I love this celebration, because I have a lot of memories from India going to these kinds of events," Agarwal said. Sachin Syal called the festival a meaningful opportunity to share South Asian culture with the broader community. According to Hindu tradition, Diwali commemorates the return of the god Ram from exile and celebrates light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. California Attorney General Rob Bonta attended and drew parallels between Diwali's message and the current political climate, calling the values of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance especially important given federal challenges to immigrant communities and diversity initiatives. Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, who grew up in the East Bay and is of Indian descent, said the growth of Diwali celebrations reflects an expanding South Asian diaspora and signals how much the community has to contribute to civic life in California. [3]
🤝 AIA Announces Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2026 Details
The Association of Indo Americans has announced that Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2026 will take place on October 17, 2026, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, running from noon to 11 p.m. at Gate 8, located at 2005 Valley Avenue. The event is billed as the Bay Area's largest annual Diwali mela and is described as Northern California's only Diwali celebration to feature a full live fireworks show. Organizers expect more than 25,000 attendees. The day's programming includes the traditional Ravan Dahan ceremony, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil, followed by the live fireworks display celebrating Diwali. Families can also enjoy Bollywood performances, RamLeela storytelling, Dandiya dancing, and live music and cultural performances throughout the day. More than 150 food and shopping vendors will be on hand, alongside carnival rides and a dedicated kids zone, all designed to bring multiple generations together through culture, food, and community. General admission tickets are priced at $12 when purchased online, with Dandiya admission at $15 online. Children aged five and under are admitted free of charge. The combination of traditional ceremony, entertainment, and broad family appeal makes Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka one of the most anticipated South Asian events on the Northern California autumn calendar each year. [4]
Sources: [3] ABC7 San Francisco · [4] NBC Bay Area