[Howard County, Maryland] – September 23, 2026 - The 8th Annual Festival of India, presented by the Indian Cultural Association (ICA), drew approximately 20,000 attendees to the Howard County Fairgrounds this past weekend, September 19–20, for a spectacular celebration of Indian culture, music, dance, food, arts, and community. The Festival of India has grown into one of the region’s largest celebrations of Indian culture, attracting visitors from throughout Maryland, the Washington metropolitan area, and has been voted Best Festival in Howard County in 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
Held under the theme “250 Years, Countless Stories, One America!”, the two-day Festival celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage and the many contributions and stories of Indian Americans as the nation commemorates its 250th anniversary. There was a special exhibit documenting the earliest arrival of people from India, researched and curated by the Indian Cultural Association.
The festival also celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day as more than 500 performers took the stage throughout the weekend, presenting an extraordinary variety of Classical, Folk, and Bollywood dances, vocal performances, instrumental music, and other cultural presentations. Performers of all ages brought the Festival grounds alive with color, music and energy.
The festival’s expansive Shopping Bazaar featured vendors and artisans from across the United States, offering visitors Indian clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, home décor, Diwali decorations, gifts and other cultural merchandise. A wide selection of Indian food allowed attendees to experience flavors and specialties from different regions of India.
“This was an incredible weekend for the Indian Cultural Association and for the entire community,” said Sanjay Srivastava, President of ICA. “Seeing so many people come together to celebrate Indian culture demonstrates the power of cultural events to build community and create connections across backgrounds and generations.”
Niti Srivastava, Executive Director of ICA, said, “The Festival of India is much more than a cultural event. It is a place where people come together, learn from one another, celebrate our differences and discover what we share. We are especially proud that this year’s Festival brought together such a diverse audience and showcased the many stories that are part of the Indian American experience.”
Distinguished Guests Join the Celebration
The festival welcomed numerous elected officials, community leaders, and distinguished guests, reflecting the strong community support for the event. Their participation underscored the festival’s role as an important community gathering and a celebration of Maryland’s cultural diversity.
The Governor of Maryland and the Maryland General Assembly issued citations recognizing the historical occasion.
We were honored to welcome the Minister of Community Affairs & Personnel, Ms. Satyapriya Singh from the Embassy of India to this historical event.
Distinguished guests included Senator Katie Hester; Delegates Natalie Ziegler, Terri Hill, and Dr. Chao Wu; Meg Ricks, Member of the Howard County Public School System Board of Education; Dr. Yang Yu, Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; Dr. Lanlan Xu, Commissioner, Howard County Asian American Pacific Islander Commission; Dr. Kevin Chin; Ryan O'Connor; Spencer Rhoda; Fitzgerald Mofor. Representatives from Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth’s office were also present to join in the celebration.
A Celebration for the Entire Community
In addition to performances, food and shopping, the festival offered activities and resources for people of all ages. Families enjoyed children’s activities, games, henna, and cultural experiences, while attendees could connect with community organizations and explore health and wellness resources. Flu shots were available onsite. The festival also offered free raffle opportunities and exciting prizes, adding to the weekend’s festive atmosphere.
The event was made possible through the extraordinary efforts of hundreds of volunteers, performers, vendors, sponsors, community organizations, and supporters.
“The festival is a tremendous undertaking, and it takes an entire community to make it happen,” said Niti Srivastava. “We are grateful to every volunteer who gave their time, every performer who shared their talent, every vendor who traveled from near and far, every sponsor and partner who supported us, and every person who walked through our door. Their support made this celebration possible.”
Strong Community and Institutional Support
The 8th Annual Festival of India was sponsored by the Maryland State Arts Council, Howard Community College, M&T Bank, Visam Financials, and MD250. ICA thanked these organizations for supporting the festival and helping make it possible to present a largescale, free cultural celebration accessible to the entire community.
About the Indian Cultural Association
The Indian Cultural Association (ICA) is a Maryland nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating Indian heritage while promoting cultural understanding, community engagement, inclusion, and service. Since its founding, ICA has connected people through cultural celebrations, educational programs, community initiatives, and partnerships that strengthen Howard County and the broader Maryland community.
