By Ollie the otter
Ollie here. Bay Area families can join Diwali events from November 1 through November 13, 2026, and most are free or low cost. Diwali's main day is Sunday, November 8, and the biggest free all-ages afternoon is at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.
I checked each organizer's page on October 19, 2026, and dropped anything that has already happened or that I couldn't confirm. Times and tickets can change, so please open the link before you drive. Dates, ages and calendar adds for these events are also on gokidbay.
Diwali in 30 seconds
Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. It usually lasts five days. This year the days run November 6 to 10, with the main day on Sunday, November 8. Families light small lamps called diyas and make rangoli, colorful floor patterns, to welcome good fortune. Light winning over darkness is the idea to share with kids.
Need a plan for this weekend? gokidbay lists hundreds of kids events across the Bay, filtered by age, city and day.See this weekend →Dates at a glance
- Sun Nov 1: Diwali at Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
- Sat Nov 7: Dublin Diwali Mela; [[event:Diwali at Children's Discovery Museum#fe8b3c10-48d7-4c35-8937-321585da53be]]
- Sun Nov 8: San Francisco Diwali Festival
- Fri Nov 13: Bhangra & Beats Night Market, San Francisco
Diwali events for families
Dublin Diwali Mela (Sat Nov 7)
Trivalley Hindu Connect hosts cultural performances, music, decorations and food at Emerald Glen Park (4201 Central Parkway) from 11 am to 8 pm. It's an open park, so strollers and picnic blankets are easy. Entry is free, per the event flyer, so just check the Eventbrite page before you go.
Diwali at Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose (Sat Nov 7)
This is the calmest option for young kids. The museum's special programming runs 10 am to 2 pm at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose#p_cdm (180 Woz Way). The event page now lists the full lineup: rangoli and diya-lamp crafts, storytelling, and bhangra and kathak dance performances. Regular admission applies; adult tickets are $22 and infants under 1 are free, with other rates on the pricing page. Event page
Diwali at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (Sun Nov 1)
The Asian Art Museum celebrates Diwali on its Free First Sunday (Nov 1), with the main art activities from 1 to 4 pm. This year's lineup is posted: drop-in rangoli making and henna art for all ages, a chef talk with a tasting at 1:30 pm, and a dance performance at 2 pm. Check the museum calendar before you go.
San Francisco Diwali Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens (Sun Nov 8)
On Diwali itself, Yerba Buena Gardens hosts a free, all-ages afternoon from 1 to 5 pm on the Great Lawn. RSVP is encouraged. The lineup includes Alam Khan, Raaga School of Music, Rang De Bollywood Dance Company, DJ Mumbai Rani and The Dhol King, plus local makers and food. Eventbrite RSVP
Bhangra & Beats Night Market, San Francisco (Fri Nov 13)
The city's official Diwali celebration is free and all ages, spread over Yerba Buena Gardens, Jessie Square and Yerba Buena Lane. The listing shows bhangra lessons, DJs and dhol drummers, henna, diya decorating, food and family activities, 4 to 9 pm. A second listing says 5 pm, so confirm the start time before you leave. Event listing
Being a good Diwali guest
- Say "Happy Diwali." Hosts love hearing it.
- Traditional clothes are welcome, not required.
- Take shoes off where others do, especially near a prayer area, and walk around rangoli, not over it.
- Ask before photographing people who are praying or performing close up.
Tips for festival days
- Go early. The first hour is calmest.
- Bring layers, water, a few small bills for food stalls and a charged phone.
- Write your phone number on your child's arm in crowds.
- Talk about the holiday in the car. A two-minute story makes the visit mean more. For a pumpkin-patch day that fits in the same weekend, see Best pumpkin patches around the Bay Area.
That's my Diwali list. Happy Diwali from me and Kelpie, and I hope your family finds a little extra light this season.
