Festival of Joy ushers in the summer season with a colorful celebration of Indian culture and spirituality. The festival, presented by Kalachandji’s, Sewell Lexus and American Airlines, brings together thousands of families, young adults and dignitaries for a fun-filled day of bright colors, beautiful flowers and a free vegetarian feast, along with music, dance, and interactive holistic living and cultural activities.

The Festival of Joy, also celebrated as Ratha Yatra or the Festival of Chariots, is rooted in ancient India’s bhakti or devotional tradition.The Dallas festival starts with a welcome ceremony, followed by a parade at noon through the Dallas Arts District, which returns to the park later in the day. Hundreds of devotees and faith leaders will pull the colorful chariot carrying the sacred deities of Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama along Flora Street. Surrounding the chariot, hundreds more will dance while singing sacred mantras and playing traditional musical instruments.

After the procession ends, families and guests can enjoy cultural and educational exhibits revealing holistic living and the spiritual heart of India. The main stage will feature kirtan (musical mantra meditation) and bharat-natyam (classical Indian dance), and stalls will present Ayurveda, yoga, traditional crafts, vegetarian cooking demonstrations, cultural displays and more.

A free, multi-course vegetarian feast will be served, and many varieties of ethnic vegetarian food items will be available for purchase. New this year is Kalachandji Konnect, an opportunity to continue some of the festival experiences throughout the year at Kalachandji’s, which hosts cooking, yoga and meditation classes.