Mayor Breed to Celebrate San Francisco's First Official Diwali Celebration on November 15

San Francisco, CA - Today Mayor London N. Breed announced the City and County of San Francisco's first official Diwali celebration to occur on Friday, November 15 from 5-10 p.m. The free, all-ages landmark event will take place during Bhangra & Beats Night Market, and City Hall will be lit in pink and yellow to celebrate Diwali. An initiative of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Into The Streets, and Non Stop Bhangra, the popular street party transforms the three blocks between Battery and Clay into a vibrant cultural nightlife destination, offering an immersive experience with live music, retail vendors, and an array of food options.

Diwali-also called the Festival of Lights-is celebrated annually by over a billion people around the world, including many Indian and South Asian families across the Bay Area. This first official celebration of Diwali in San Francisco caps the 2024 Bhangra & Beats Night Market series, which over the course of three events this year, has brought over 34,000 people to San Francisco's Financial District while creating a one-of-a-kind cultural and economic platform for Indian and South Asian culture.

"Diwali is a time where we come together to celebrate the beautiful and rich culture of our Indian and Hindu communities; where we find moments to celebrate the good and lift up light and joy, together," said Mayor London Breed. "Our Downtown continues to evolve into a 24/7 neighborhood, full of restaurants and bars, entertainment and art, and with the addition of the City's popular night markets our residents, businesses and visitors are feeling the joy again. I thank Into the Streets and Non Stop Bhangra, and all of our community partners for bringing San Francisco's first Diwali celebration to life this year."

Bhangra & Beats Night Market is a prime example of the initiatives currently underway to reinvigorate Downtown by making it a leading arts, culture, and nightlife destination with Mayor Breed investing over $15 Million since 2022 for Downtown events and activations. Bhangra & Beats Night Market has injected new energy into Friday nights with attendees spending $2.5 million at Downtown San Francisco businesses since the inception of the market.

"The joy that Bhangra & Beats brings to Downtown is undeniable," said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director, OEWD. "It was one of the very first transformative events that showed the Bay Area how much fun Downtown can be and paved the way for tens of thousands of visitors to Downtown night markets, concerts and events. San Francisco's inaugural Diwali celebration is not to be missed and is just one of many wintertime events and light displays we have in store this holiday season that will make Downtown a destination for locals and tourists alike."

Diwali holds deep significance for many Indian and South Asian families across many faiths and backgrounds. Over the course of two years, Bhangra & Beats Night Market has become a cultural destination for South Asian families to proudly celebrate their heritage with music, food, and shopping, making it the ideal site for this momentous celebration. This special Diwali celebration will feature an all-Indian music lineup that builds on Bhangra & Beats Night Market's unique mashup of club energy with family-friendly fun in the streets to deliver a uniquely Bay-Area-style Diwali.

For this very special Diwali edition of Bhangra & Beats Night Market, attendees can expect artists creating rangoli (intricate, colorful floor designs) throughout the market; and diya giveaways (clay lamps) to share the warmth and light of Diwali. Plus, a vibrant bazaar with 30+ local artisans and vendors offering Indian snacks and sweets, delicious food and cocktails, and Indian goods, jewelry, apparel, and art.

"One of the many joys of bringing Bhangra & Beats Night Market to life over the last two years has been seeing families from all over San Francisco and the Bay Area find a place to express pride in their heritage. Last year, Bhangra & Beats Night Market proved San Francisco was hungry for night markets, and now, a year later, it's beautiful to see how many people have made it a beloved tradition. We hope that everyone embraces the spirit of Diwali by shining a little light in the darkness and celebrating with us in the streets," said Katy Birnbaum, CEO and founder of Into The Streets.
"Non Stop Bhangra has always been about bringing people together through music, dance, and culture. Celebrating 20 years alongside the City and County of San Francisco's first official Diwali celebration is an honor. We're thrilled to share this vibrant festival and bring the beauty and joy of Indian music and culture to the city for such a historic occasion," said Vicki Virk and Jimmy Little of Non Stop Bhangra, as they also mark Non Stop Bhangra's 20th anniversary of celebratingIndian culture with two decades of music, dance, and community.

Amidst a flourishing scene of night markets across San Francisco, Bhangra & Beats Night Market is unique in its focus on spotlighting South Asian culture, helping to celebrate one of the Bay Area's fastest growing demographic groups. Local restaurants and vendors are ready and eager to join the bustling market and celebrate in style.

"I can't think of a better way to close out another fantastic year of our Bhangra & Beats Night Market Series," Chef and Owner of New Delhi restaurant Ranjan Dey said. "Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and triumph of good over evil. This first ever official Diwali Celebration in San Francisco is history in the making. Bhangra & Beats Night Market has become a destination for Bay Area South Asian and Indian families proudly celebrating their culture and heritage. As a legacy business, New Delhi Restaurant is proud to participate."
Attendees are encouraged to dress in traditional Indian attire and participate in interactive booths where they can learn to tie saris, participate in drum circles, and explore moments that highlight the significance of Diwali. Glow-in-the-dark surprises will add to the festive atmosphere as the crowd lights up the night!

At the heart of the celebration will be an all-Indian music lineup across two stages, featuring special guest artist headliner DJ Frenzy, one of the most electrifying names in the global Bhangra scene. With over 250,000 Instagram followers and millions of streams on YouTube, DJ Frenzy has become a household name in the Desi music community, known for his high-energy performances that blend traditional Punjabi beats with modern electronic sounds. Non Stop Bhangra will bring their trademark vibrant energy to the stage with interactive dance lessons, dazzling performances, live dhol drummers, and DJ sets for music lovers of all ages.

Bhangra & Beats Night Market is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP via Eventbrite.

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