Nepali Association of Northern CaliforniaNepali Community CenterPresents
Celebrating Dashain • Connecting Community
Play the Scavenger Hunt to win a $100 Amazon gift card
OCT 10
Saturday
12–10
Noon–8PM · All Day
RICHMOND
Nepali Community Center
FREE
General Admission
Saturday, October 10, 2026, Nepali Community Center
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.
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 – 8:00 PM
Walk in through the entry way on 4th St, where the Uber / Lyft drop-off is, or park in the fenced lot off Chesley Ave. Food is south of the building, the kids play zone and outdoor stage are on the east side, and the Welcome Gate leads inside to Durga Puja, the Jamara Station, the Main Auditorium and the Social Hall.
3D map powered by - Event boundary
- Food court & dining tent
- Indoor vendor hall
- Gate & guest services
- Main auditorium
- Kids playground
- Parking
Take the 2-minute tour
Fly through the whole Mela before you arrive: the food court, the welcome walkway, the outdoor stage, the kids zone, Durga Puja, the Dashain Bazaar and the Main Auditorium. Tap a stop to jump straight to it.
Dashain Mela 2026 Scavenger Hunt
Find and scan all 10 QR codes around the Mela, in any order, before 6 PM. Everyone who finishes wins a prize and goes into the lucky draw.
Register & check in
Get your free pass in the TixFix app. When staff scan it at the Mela, your hunt unlocks.
Find the 10 codes
QR codes are posted around the Mela, from the Registration Desk to the kids zone. Use the map below.
Scan in any order
Open the hunt in the app and scan each code. Your progress updates as you go. Finish before 6 PM.
Claim your prize
Scanned all 10? Claim your prize at the Dashain Mela Registration Desk, on the walkway by the building (map stop 1).
The 10 stops
- 1Check In at the MelaDashain Mela Registration Desk
- 2Share Your VoiceCommunity Survey Booth
- 3Say Cheese!Photo Booth
- 4Blessings at Durga PujaDurga Puja & Jamara booth, inside
- 5Explore the Dashain BazaarSocial Hall
- 6Main Stage LiveMain Auditorium
- 7Visit Mukti & Revival BoothBeside the outdoor stage
- 8Stay Healthy with WalgreensWalgreens Vaccination Clinic & First Aid tent: ask the pharmacists about this season's vaccines
- 9Play in the Kids ZoneChess & Math tent, kids lot
- 10Taste the MelaDining Tent, food court
Prizes
Sponsored by TixFix
- Finish all 10: a Mela T-shirt, mobile stand, tote bag and more, claimed at the Dashain Mela Registration Desk, on the walkway by the building (map stop 1).
- Lucky draw: everyone who finishes is entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card or Mukti & Revival concert tickets.
- Winners are announced by push notification and email. You don’t need to be present to win.
- The hunt runs from 12 noon to 6 PM on October 10.
Free with your Mela pass in the TixFix app. Prizes sponsored by TixFix.
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 8:00 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 through any Register button on this page 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!
Play the Scavenger Hunt and you're entered in the lucky draw to win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Join the Facebook EventThe Grand Dashain Mela 2026