Oakland Hosts Free Diwali Festival Near Jack London

The fourth annual event, organized by District 4 Council Member Janani Ramachandran, offered free food and entertainment at Block15.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Hinduism

Oakland Hosts Free Diwali Festival Near Jack London

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Oakland held its fourth annual free Diwali festival Saturday night at the Block15 venue near Jack London Square. The festival, organized by Oakland District 4 City Council Member Janani Ramachandran, offered free food and entertainment to the public.

Why it matters

The festival gives Oakland residents and Bay Area visitors a free public celebration of Diwali, a major Hindu festival of lights. Its growth from prior years reflects continued community engagement around the South Asian cultural presence in the city.

Last year's festival drew around 1,200 attendees, and a line formed at the door by 6 p.m. Saturday. The festival was scheduled to run until 10 p.m., and final attendance for this year has not been reported.

The players

Janani Ramachandran

Janani Ramachandran is the Oakland District 4 City Council Member and was the first South Asian elected to office in the city.

Block15

Block15 is the venue near Jack London Square in Oakland where the festival was held.

The details

The festival was held at the Block15 venue near Jack London Square and admitted the public at no cost, including food and entertainment. Janani Ramachandran, who was the first South Asian elected to office in Oakland, organizes the event as the District 4 council member.

Saturday night: the fourth annual Oakland Diwali festival took place at Block15.
6 p.m. Saturday: a line formed at the festival entrance.
10 p.m. Saturday: the festival was scheduled to end.

Cultural Calendar

This fourth annual Oakland Diwali festival continues a recurring city event that has grown since its first edition, with last year's gathering drawing around 1,200 attendees. The festival's repeat format marks Diwali as an established part of Oakland's public cultural calendar.

Oakland residents can attend the festival at no cost, with food and entertainment provided to the public. The free format makes the celebration accessible to families and community members across the Bay Area.

The takeaway

Free community events like this one give residents a low-cost way to experience cultural traditions firsthand. Checking local listings for upcoming Diwali celebrations can help you find similar gatherings nearby.