Nepali Association of Northern CaliforniaNepali Community CenterPresents
Celebrating Dashain • Connecting Community
OCT 10
Saturday
12–10
Noon–10PM · All Day
RICHMOND
Nepali Community Center
FREE
General Admission
Saturday, October 10, 2026, Nepali Community Center
Watch the Invite
A quick look at what's waiting for you on October 10th.
A Nostalgic Nepali Mela, Right Here at Home
Every October, Dashain brings family, food, and festivity to every corner of Nepal. The Grand Dashain Mela 2026 recreates that same warmth for our community here in the Bay Area — a full day of Durga Puja, Jamara distribution, live music, cultural performances, authentic Nepali food, and a bustling marketplace.
This year, we’re going bigger — more vendors, more performers, more reasons to bring the whole family.
Register to Participate
From coming as a guest to performing on stage or lending a hand — choose how you'd like to be part of it.
Free for guests, performers, media, production, kids zone & volunteers — Business Stalls, Food Vendors, Sponsorship, Community Partnership, and Donations involve a financial contribution.
A Full Day of Dashain Celebration
Live Performances
Local & national artists take the stage all day long.
Traditional Dance
Vibrant cultural performances celebrating Nepali heritage.
Durga Puja & Jamara
Traditional Dashain rituals and Jamara distribution.
Kite Flying & Ping
Kites in the sky and the traditional bamboo ping swing for all ages.
Authentic Nepali Cuisine
Momo, sel roti, and festival favorites from food trucks & stalls.
Dashain Marketplace
A bazaar of local businesses, artisans, and community expos.
Kids' Play Zone
Games, activities, and fun for the whole family.
Giveaways & More
Surprises, raffles, and festive treats throughout the day.
Nepali Association
of Northern California
NANC runs the Nepali Community Center in Richmond, California — a home for our community’s festivals, traditions, and gatherings. The Grand Dashain Mela is our biggest celebration of the year, open to everyone, free of charge.
Whether you’re Nepali, married into the community, or simply curious about our culture — you’re family here.
हाम्रो संस्कृति • हाम्रो पहिचान • हाम्रो एकता
Our Culture • Our Identity • Our Unity 🇳🇵🇺🇸
Heritage
Honoring Dashain traditions passed down through generations.
Community
Bringing Nepali families and friends together across the Bay Area.
Celebration
A full day of music, dance, food, and festive joy for everyone.
Nepali Community Center, Richmond
Nepali Community Center
369 Chesley Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801
Saturday, October 10, 2026
12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Food trucks & vendor booths line the front parking lot. The large back lot is reserved for guest parking, with a kids’ play area nearby.
On-Site Layout
Main Entrance
Chesley Avenue check-in
Food Truck Row
Front parking lot
Ballroom — Main Stage
Live music & cultural performances
Dashain Marketplace
Business & vendor booths
Kids' Play Zone
Family activities
Community Lawn
Puja & Jamara distribution
Back Parking Lot
Free guest parking
Illustrative layout — move your cursor to look around. Actual signage on-site.
Moments from the Community
Over 5,000 people joined us last year. Here's a taste of the energy.
There’s always more happening at NANC.
Follow @nepali_community_centerA Full Day, Start to Finish
Full Schedule Coming Soon
We’re finalizing set times for performances, Durga Puja & Jamara, and the marketplace. Check back closer to October 10th for the minute-by-minute lineup.
Our Dashain Traditions Continue
Following The Grand Dashain Mela, our traditional Dashain observances begin at the Nepali Community Center — preserving our traditions, passing them forward.
Ghatasthapana & Jamara Planting
Sunday, October 11
Daily Durga Puja
Continues throughout the Dashain period
Jamara Grown for the Community
Available to the public for Dashain Tika
On Ghatasthapana, we begin Durga Puja and the traditional planting of Jamara. Jamara will be planted and cared for on behalf of the public, and everyone is welcome to receive Jamara for Dashain Tika.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! General admission is completely free. We ask you to register so we can plan for attendance and create a better experience for everyone.
The Mela is family-friendly and open to everyone — bring your parents, children, family, and friends.
Gates open at 12:00 PM. The Mela runs all day until 10:00 PM, so come whenever works for your family.
The large back parking lot is reserved for guest parking. The front lot hosts food trucks and vendor booths, so please don't park there.
Yes — register as a Food Vendor or Business Stall in the Register section above and our team will follow up with details.
Apply through the Performer registration category with details about your act. We review submissions and confirm a slot by email.
Sign up through the Volunteer category and select the areas you're interested in helping with — setup, registration, stage & sound, and more.
Yes. Donations of any amount are welcome and help support cultural programming for current and future generations.
No. The Grand Dashain Mela is October 10. Ghatasthapana, Durga Puja, and Jamara planting begin the next day, October 11.
Jamara is grown for the public — everyone is welcome to receive Jamara for Dashain Tika.
Nepali Community Center, 369 Chesley Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801.
Let's Connect
Questions about vendors, performers, sponsorship, or volunteering? We'd love to hear from you.
Nepali Community Center, 369 Chesley Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801
शुभ दशैं!
The Grand Dashain Mela 2026