Bhangra & Beats Lights Up Downtown November 13 With The Third Annual Official City And County Of San Francisco Diwali Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 28, 2026
Contact: Maro Guevara
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Bhangra & Beats Lights Up Downtown November 13 With The Third Annual Official City And County Of San Francisco Diwali Celebration
FREE, ALL-AGES NIGHT MARKET BRINGING MUSIC, DANCE, FOOD, SHOPPING AND THE SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS TO YERBA BUENA GARDENS, JESSIE SQUARE AND YERBA BUENA LANE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — As the days grow shorter, Bhangra & Beats Night Market invites the Bay Area to bring a little more light to Downtown San Francisco. On Friday, November 13, from 4–9 p.m., the Official City and County of San Francisco Diwali Celebration returns for its third year with Bhangra & Beats Night Market, filling Yerba Buena Gardens, Jessie Square, and Yerba Buena Lane with music, dancing, food, and community.
Bhangra & Beats, the only South Asian night market of its scale in San Francisco, holds the distinction of hosting San Francisco’s first official Diwali celebration in 2024 and is delighted to carry that tradition forward with another free, all-ages gathering welcoming families, friends, and neighbors from across the Bay Area.
The celebration returns fresh off being named Best Night Market in the 2026 Best of the Bay readers’ poll hosted by 48 Hills, reflecting the community enthusiasm that has made Bhangra & Beats a beloved San Francisco tradition.
“San Francisco is proud to celebrate Diwali, and there’s no better way to do it than by filling downtown with music, food, and light,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Bhangra & Beats is another great addition to the night markets that make our city so vibrant, bringing families and neighbors together, energizing our public spaces, and supporting our local businesses. I can’t wait to see the neighborhood come alive and for San Francisco to share in the joy of Diwali.”
July’s Bhangra & Beats Night Market—the first-ever edition at Yerba Buena Gardens—brought an estimated 6,800 attendees to downtown San Francisco, generating more than $302,600 in estimated economic impact for local businesses and vendors. The November celebration builds on that momentum, bringing the community back together for an evening rooted in the joy, light, and togetherness of Diwali.
“Bhangra & Beats is a great example of how cultural celebrations can bring people together while supporting our local economy,” said Anne Taupier, Executive Director of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “By bringing thousands of people Downtown, events like this create opportunities for small businesses, introduce new customers to our commercial corridors, and showcase the diversity that makes San Francisco special.”
DIWALI, BAY AREA STYLE
This is Diwali, Bay Area style: a cross-cultural, family affair where DJs meet live drumming and traditions meet downtown life. Rooted in the meaning of the holiday and alive with the Bay Area’s creative energy, the celebration invites all generations and backgrounds to share the outdoor floor, discover new flavors, and gather under the lights while they explore a rich night market.
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Observed across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, the holiday is a time for renewal, reflection, generosity, and gathering with loved ones.
“Diwali is a beautiful reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always room for light, hope, and new beginnings. It's a time to reflect, come together, and celebrate the goodness we can bring into each other's lives. Being able to share these traditions in the heart of San Francisco, and invite people of all backgrounds to be part of that joy, makes this celebration especially meaningful to us,” said Vicki Virk, Co-Founder of Non Stop Bhangra.
For the many Indian and South Asian families who call the Bay Area home, Diwali offers a meaningful connection to heritage and an opportunity to share traditions across generations. San Francisco’s official celebration brings that spirit into the heart of the city, creating a place where communities can see their cultures celebrated publicly and welcome neighbors of every background to join in.
“Hosting San Francisco’s first official Diwali celebration was a collaborative feat, and seeing it grow into an annual tradition is an incredible milestone for making downtown a destination for culture and community,” said Katy Birnbaum, CEO and Founder of Into The Streets. “For Indian and South Asian families, it’s an opportunity to see their cultures celebrated in the heart of the city. For San Francisco, it’s a chance to show what our public spaces can make possible: a sense of belonging and new connections when it's needed most.”
A NIGHT OF MUSIC, FOOD, SHOPPING AND CULTURE
At the heart of the evening is the signature Bhangra & Beats experience: traditional Punjabi rhythms meeting Bay Area energy on an open dance floor. The celebration is anchored by Non Stop Bhangra, whose combination of DJs, live dhol drumming, dance instruction and audience participation welcomes everyone, from longtime dancers to those trying their first Bhangra steps.
The Yerba Buena Gardens Main Stage comes alive with the Non Stop Bhangra collective, featuring vibrant performances and interactive dance lessons with Dholrhythms Dance Company, DJ sets by residents Rav-E Sandhu, GT, and Nix, the electrifying beats of live dhol drummers Ashi and Gulshan, and hosted by Deuce Eclipse.
Over at Jessie Square, Bollywood in the Square brings its own festive energy, kicking off with a community sing-along jam session led by the SF Indian Music Project, followed by DJ duo Lychy Jelly, keeping the Bollywood beats and dance floor moving throughout the evening.
The Bhangra & Beats Diwali mainstage program is sponsored by San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
“We are excited to support the Bhangra & Beats Night Market for the second consecutive year,” said SFO Airport Director Mike Nakornkhet. “With nonstop service to over 140 destinations worldwide, SFO connects people and cultures through celebrations like Diwali. We wish everyone a joyous and prosperous holiday.”
Throughout the evening, attendees can explore South Asian food, independent makers, retail vendors, cultural activities, and family-friendly experiences, with an emphasis on celebrating Indian and South Asian small businesses and local Bay Area artists.
Bhangra & Beats Night Market brings together more than 40 San Francisco and Bay Area vendors, celebrating South Asian and Indian culture and beyond through food, shopping, and community. Dig into Indian BBQ from crowd favorite Wah Jee Wah, dishes from New Delhi Restaurant—San Francisco’s oldest operating Indian restaurant—Indian-inspired organic ice cream from Koolfi Creamery, Nepali delights from Bini's Kitchen, and so much more. Explore a multicultural bazaar featuring more than 20 retail vendors, and connect with community organizations like Parivar Bay Area, the first Hijra, Kinnar, and Global South transgender immigrant-led organization rooted in San Francisco.
Guests are encouraged to show up and show out in their favorite Indian and South Asian festive attire and come ready to dance, explore and celebrate together.
EXPLORE THE YERBA BUENA LANE AND JESSIE SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE
The celebration extends into the neighborhood through the Yerba Buena Lane and Jessie Square Entertainment Zone, home to restaurants and bars including Tropisueño, Delarosa, Amber India, Press Club and Ippudo.
During designated Entertainment Zone event hours, guests 21 and older can purchase alcoholic beverages to go from participating licensed businesses and enjoy them within the zone’s designated outdoor common areas. The program connects neighborhood restaurants and bars with the energy of the celebration, giving attendees more ways to explore and support local businesses.
Nearby, Rec Room by East Brother Beer Co. at the Metreon offers another inviting destination for craft beer enjoyed outside at their beer garden in between trips to the dance floor.
“Bhangra & Beats Night Market is Yerba Buena at its best, a place where music, dance and food come together,” said Yerba Buena Partnership Executive Director Scott Rowitz. “We love supporting another free, all-ages celebration at Yerba Buena Gardens, Jessie Square and Yerba Buena Lane, all of which are clean, safe and welcoming spaces for community events. Bhangra & Beats is an invitation to explore the neighborhood’s renowned museums, galleries, restaurants and entertainment. Visitors can also enjoy Yerba Buena Illuminated, featuring towering projections of major artworks at Yerba Buena Lane and Market Street. It’s going to be an unforgettable night.”
CELEBRATING CULTURE, SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES
Bhangra & Beats Night Market is proudly part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2026 season, a collaboration that underscores this iconic downtown destination as a place for multicultural celebrations in the heart of the city.
“We’re so excited to have Bhangra & Beats back for the Diwali edition. The event in July was a perfect collaboration and we’re thrilled that this event has found a new home at Yerba Buena Gardens,” Cristina Ibarra, Managing Director Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
Alongside its music and cultural programming, Bhangra & Beats creates opportunities for Indian and South Asian entrepreneurs, Bay Area artists, independent vendors and neighborhood businesses to connect with new audiences.
From a meal shared with friends to a purchase from a multicultural bazaar packed with treasures, the night market invites attendees to make small businesses part of their celebration.
Since launching in 2023, Bhangra & Beats Night Market has welcomed more than 81,800 attendees and generated $4.66 million in spending for downtown businesses and local vendors. The series demonstrates how free cultural programming can bring communities together while supporting the businesses and artists who help define San Francisco.
CALENDAR LISTING
Bhangra & Beats Night Market
Third Annual Official City and County of San Francisco Diwali Celebration
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 4–9 p.m.
Location: Yerba Buena Gardens, Jessie Square and Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco
Admission: Free and open to all ages
Featuring: Music, Bhangra dancing, DJs, live dhol drumming, cultural performances, food and retail vendors, and family-friendly activities.
Information and free RSVP: www.bhangraandbeats.com
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ABOUT BHANGRA & BEATS NIGHT MARKET
Bhangra & Beats Night Market brings South Asian culture and Bay Area community together through music, dance, food, art and shared celebration. Launched in 2023, the free, all-ages event has become a gathering place for families, friends and neighbors while supporting local artists, independent vendors and downtown businesses. In 2024, Bhangra & Beats hosted San Francisco’s first official Diwali celebration, establishing a tradition that continues for its third year in 2026.
Bhangra & Beats Night Market is presented by Into The Streets and Non Stop Bhangra, in partnership with Yerba Buena Partnership, the Mayor’s Office of Daniel Lurie, the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, with support from The Svane Family Foundation Fund Culture Forward Grant program. The mainstage is sponsored by San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
ABOUT INTO THE STREETS
Into The Streets, founded by San Francisco event veteran Katy Birnbaum in 2023, is a woman of color, LGBTQ-owned, San Francisco-based small business dedicated to empowering female, Indigenous, brown, Black, and queer communities, realizing economic liberation and making the city a more just, joyous, and environmentally regenerative place.
For more information, visit IntoTheStreetsSF.com
ABOUT NON STOP BHANGRA
Non Stop Bhangra is an SF-based artist collective and event marketing company specializing in the beautiful and vibrant spirit of Bhangra, a traditional Punjabi folk music and dance. Featuring dance lessons and dance performances, an eclectic mix of DJs, live drummers, and guest musicians, NSB has consistently been voted the “Best Dance Party" in the San Francisco Bay Area and is celebrating 20 years in 2024.
For more information, visit NonStopBhangra.com
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