Cultural Celebrations San Francisco

Bhangra & Beats Night Market-Official City of San Francisco Diwali Celebration

**Bhangra & Beats Night Market** **Official City of San Francisco Diwali Celebration** **Friday\, November 13\, 2026 \| 4–9 PM** **Yerba Buena Gardens + Jessie Square + Yerba Buena Lane** **Family Friendly & All Ages** **Free With RSVP:** [https://bb-diwali-26.eventbrite.com](https://bb-diwali-26.eventbrite.com) Celebrate Diwali in the heart of San Francisco as **[Bhangra & Beats Night Market](https://www.instagram.com/bhangraandbeats/)** returns to [Yerba Buena Gardens ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DdagBp2S9LJ/)for the **Official City of San Francisco Diwali Celebration**! The Gardens come alive with the infectious energy of **[Non Stop Bhangra](https://www.instagram.com/nonstopbhangra/)** bringing its signature mix of Bhangra music, dance, live drummers, colorful performances, interactive dance lessons, DJs, and an open dance floor where everyone is invited to join the celebration. Enjoy delicious Indian food, local makers and artisans, henna, family-friendly activities, arts and crafts, community activations, Bollywood music at Jessie Square plaza, plus more throughout Yerba Buena Gardens and Yerba Buena Lane. Inspired by the joy, light, and togetherness of Diwali, Bhangra & Beats transforms the heart of downtown San Francisco into a vibrant celebration of South Asian culture and Bay Area community bringing people of all backgrounds together through music, dance, food, art, and connection. Indian inspired fits encouraged\~come dressed in vibrant colors and your favorite Diwali look as we light up the gardens together! ✨🪔

🎈🎈Language and Cultural Exchange Event! Berkeley! November 14th@ Cellarmaker

Welcome! Participate with us on Saturday for a cultural and language exchange. This event will be hosted by native Spanish speakers, however, all languages are welcome! Spend your Saturday afternoon connecting with international friends and fun interactions. Look for the table with the Red balloons 🎈

Bhangra & Beats

The 2026 Blue Wave Celebration!

Hello Fellow Citizens! Let’s celebrate the recent blue wave in Congress! We are gonna meet in Golden Gate Park to celebrate with fellow peeps. Please wear something blue and bring something to share ( could also be blue). We will attempt to do a blue wave as well! Liability Disclaimer: The organizers of this meet-up are unpaid volunteers and not expert hiking guides. All participants agree to assume 100% responsibility for their own safety, conduct, and well-being and recognize that possible hazards exist while participating in outdoor (or any other) activities, and agree to participate solely at their own risk. If you RSVP “Yes” and/or attend any of our events, it shall be conclusively presumed that you understand and agree to this policy. ##

Diwali Celebration: Time of Transformation

Step into a vibrant evening of reflection, togetherness, and cultural harmony. Diwali marks the triumph of light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance. In today’s changing world, "Time of Transformation" invites us to awaken our inner light and foster peace across all communities and traditions. **Event Highlights:** * Inspiring reflections and interfaith prayers * **Special Guest: BK Gayatri Naraine**, UN Representative, Brahma Kumaris (NY) * “**The Traveler's Search**” - a Theatrical Performance written and directed by **Dr. Andrei Antokhin** (University of San Francisco) * Artistic Performances and Live Music * Guided Meditation * Vegetarian dinner & warm community connections **Event Details**: * REGISTRATION REQUIRED * Doors open 5:00 PM * Everyone welcome to attend * Festive/Formal attire * No prior meditation experience required Come and celebrate this sacred and joyous evening with us! Voluntary contributions welcome ([Credit Card](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-brahma-kumaris-san-francisco-for-spiritual-services), [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=L2FJZ2ZGYSVFG), Venmo @bkwsosf).

Fall’s Journey, Stop 3: SF Botanical Garden Sunset + Friendsgiving Dinner

**🍁 Fall’s Journey, Stop 3: Thanksgiving Sunset at SF Botanical Garden + Friendsgiving Dinner** Spend Thanksgiving afternoon among the maples, then share a Friendsgiving table with new friends. The San Francisco Botanical Garden has one of the best fall color displays in the city. Its centerpiece is the Moon Viewing Garden, where stepping stones follow a small stream down to a still pond surrounded by Japanese maples. Across the garden’s 55 acres you’ll also see ginkgos turning bright gold, dogwoods going deep red-purple, and vine maples turning orange. Admission is free for everyone on Thanksgiving. Whether you’re new in town, your family is far away, or you just want some fresh air and good company, come spend the holiday with us. This is the third stop of **Fall’s Journey**, TownFlame’s weekly series of foliage socials, at sunset. **📅 Thursday, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) · 2:45pm–dinner** **Location**: Main Gate, 1199 9th Ave, Golden Gate Park **Schedule** * **2:45** Meet at the Main Gate. Welcome and self-intros, including one thing you’re thankful for this year. * **3:00–4:15** Fall color walk: the Temperate Asia garden, ginkgos, the Redwood Grove and other color across the garden * **4:15–4:40** Golden hour in the Moon Viewing Garden: maples reflected in the pond * **4:40** Closing circle and a group photo in the last light. Sunset is at 4:53, and we walk out together as the garden closes at 5:00. * **\~5:15** 🦃 **Friendsgiving dinner.** We’ll walk to Irving St & 9th Ave, the neighborhood’s restaurant row, and our scouts will find us tables. Pay your own. **💵 Cost:** The garden is free for everyone on Thanksgiving. You pay your own dinner. **⏰ Important:** Last entry to the garden is **4:00pm**, and latecomers can’t get in after that. If you can only make dinner, meet us at the corner of Irving St & 9th Ave around 5:10. **🚇 Getting there:** Parking around Golden Gate Park and the Inner Sunset is tight on holidays, so take transit or carpool if you can. The Muni N-Judah line runs along Irving St nearby. **👟 Bring:** Comfortable shoes, a camera, and a warm layer. San Francisco gets cold fast once the sun goes down. **🍂 Fall’s Journey** 1. Hakone + Montalvo (Nov 15) 2. Golden Ponds of Niles (Nov 22) 3. Thanksgiving Sunset + Friendsgiving (Nov 26) ← you are here 4. Stanford finale *Honorable mention:* a self-organized evening at Filoli Holiday Lights **🔥 Want to help?** We’re looking for a few volunteers to greet people, take photos, and scout restaurants for dinner. Tell us at the closing circle or message the hosts. Hosted by [captain name] · TownFlame stewards **Join [TownFlame](http://www.townflame.org/), Make Life Happen.** **Liability Waiver:** Participation in TownFlame events is voluntary and involves social interaction in public spaces. Activities are designed to be inclusive and respectful. Participants assume all risks and release TownFlame, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or damages, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. By attending, participants acknowledge that photographs, audio, and video recordings may be taken during events, and grant TownFlame the right to use such media for promotional and marketing purposes, in any format or platform, without further consent or compensation.

Holiday decoration in SF

DilSe Bollywood Rave Dance Party in SF

Noor: A Gathering in Light

**Noor: A Gathering in Light** **A Musical Mehfil** This Fall, we’d love to bring our community of musicians and singers together for an intimate gathering to celebrate the light that music brings into our lives. We'll gather to share our songs of light: the light within us, the light we find in one another, and the light that guides us through music, poetry, and spirit. Let’s gather with our voices, instruments, and songs to share ghazals, sufi songs/poetry, spiritual music, and melodies that speak to the many meanings of light. Nothing too formal, just a space to listen, sing, improvise, connect, and enjoy the beauty of making music together. I’ll put together a little spread of food and chai for everyone. Please feel free to bring a snack/dessert to share, and we’ll add it all to the table and create a lovely community feast. Looking forward to an evening of music, light, good food, and good company. Musically yours, Divya and Jun

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering @ Alcatraz 🌅

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering is organized by the International Indian Treaty Council commemorating the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz by the Indians of All Tribes. This is a one-day events and not the standard Alcatraz Island tour; all areas except where the ceremony takes place will be closed and inaccessible to the public. Dress Code The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and subject to change unexpectedly, so be sure to dress in layers…bring along a light jacket or sweater, no matter how nice the day begins! You MUST purchase a ferry ticket to get to Alcatraz Island to attend the The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering These are the remaining Ferry departure times that they have available: 5:15 AM 5:30 AM 5:45 AM 6:00 AM I'll be taking the 5:45 AM Ferry. Where to Meet: Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is the launch site to Alcatraz Island Also Bart and other Public Transportation doesn't run this early in the morning and you must drive or carpool with people to San Francisco I'll be carpooling with 4 people already from Berkeley. Event Website Link to Purchase a Ferry Ticket: https://alcatrazcitycruises.com/tickets/sunrise-gathering

Thursday Kirtan and Supper

#### Thursday, 6:30–8:00 PM KIRTAN & SUPPER * Kirtan, or mantra meditation, is a call-and-response chanting practice, blending sacred mantras with music and dancing. It fosters ecstatic joy and deep collective participation. No experience needed. Suggested donation: $15. **Registration is not required.** Bhakti SF [https://bhaktisf.com/](https://bhaktisf.com/) 3250 17th Street San Francisco, CA 94110

🍜 Asian Background Social: Lounge Asia San Francisco (Easy English) @6pm

⏰6:00 to 9:00 pm SF time 🌏 Make new international friends in San Francisco. Come alone, practise your English, and enjoy a relaxed social night. 😊 A friendly meetup for networking, language exchange, and real conversation — open to everyone. Why People Love Lounge Asia 🍜 **Asian-focused event** 🤝 Many guests come alone 💬 No need for perfect English 🌏 No games or forced introductions — just enjoy the conversation Lounge Asia began within the Asian community, so people from Asia often feel comfortable and at home here. At the same time, everyone is welcome — locals, expats, travellers, students, returnees, digital nomads, and globally minded people. ━━━━━━━━━━ How to Join 1️⃣ Tap "RSVP" on this page 2️⃣ Show your Meetup QR code at reception 3️⃣ Collect your name tag and start meeting people ✅ Early RSVP is free ✅ RSVPs made within 48 hours of the event start time are $5 ✅ Limited capacity — please RSVP early Many people attend alone, so don't worry if it's your first time. ━━━━━━━━━━ How to Find Us 📍 Venue Iron Horse Cocktails 25 Maiden Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States ⏰ Start Time — **San Francisco Local Time** **6pm** ⚠️ Important: This is the local time in San Francisco. Meetup may display Brisbane time or another time zone, so please follow the local time shown above. 🚶 Getting There Please use your preferred map app for directions to the venue. Our Lounge Asia organisers will be there to welcome you 😊 ━━━━━━━━━━ 🍺 Please Support the Venue This event is free or low-cost because the venue supports our community. Please purchase at least one drink during the event. Your support helps us keep organising events at great venues. ━━━━━━━━━━ 💚 Please Be Respectful Lounge Asia is a friendly social event where everyone should feel comfortable and welcome. 🚫 This is NOT a pickup or dating event. Anyone who makes others uncomfortable may be removed immediately. Not allowed: harassment, unwanted attention, MLM / crypto / religious recruitment, or anything that makes others uncomfortable. Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or ask anyone to leave. 🪪 A valid government-issued photo ID is strictly required for entry. No photo ID, no entry. Driver's licences must be issued by the government of the country where the event is held. 📸 Photos and short videos may be taken for community and promotional purposes. If you prefer not to appear, please let an organiser know when you arrive. ━━━━━━━━━━ Lounge Asia is already growing in Australia and is now expanding across Asia — Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Our goal is simple: More friendship, more understanding, and more genuine connections across cultures. 📱 Instagram: @_lounge_asia 🎥 Watch Event Video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNak_cu9CXw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNak_cu9CXw) 👉 GET VIP ACCESS: [https://forms.gle/t6GXAjTNFECetVuZ8](https://forms.gle/t6GXAjTNFECetVuZ8) ━━━━━━━━━━ 🌏 Come say hi! Hey, come hang out! 来一起玩吧！ 一起來聊天吧！ 気軽に遊びに来てね！ 편하게 놀러 와요! มาเจอกันนะ! Tới chơi nha! Tara, sali ka na! Yuk, gabung! လာပြီး အတူပျော်ကြရအောင်! មកលេងជាមួយគ្នាណា! ມາພົບກັນເດີ້! Хамтдаа цуглацгаая! Komm einfach vorbei! Jom join kita! See you at Lounge Asia!