Being home to the thriving Malayali Diaspora, the US experiences grand Onam celebrations every year, like Bathukamma, Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi, and Eid. From Onam Sadhya to Pookalam, the Onam festival rituals and traditions enrich America’s pluralistic landscape, where economist Gita Gopinath, FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, politician Pramila Jayapal, NetApp CEO George Kurian, and author Abraham Verghese are prominent names among Malayali Americans.
When is Onam 2026 in USA?
In the US, Onam festival will be celebrated from August 16 to 26, 2026, as in India. The ten-day harvest festival will begin with Atham on 16 August, while Thiruvonam, the final and most significant day of the celebration, falls on 26 August this year. Since Onan is not federal or state public holiday in the US, Indian-origin Malayali associations will celebrate Onam 2026 mostly on weekends before or after Thiruvonam, making it one of the biggest annual festivals for Keralites in America.
Major Onam 2026 celebrations and events in USA
KANJ Mega Onam 2026, New Jersey
One of the biggest and most anticipated Onam events in the USA is KANJ Mega Onam, organized by the Kerala Association of New Jersey (KANJ). Founded in 1979, KANJ’s Mega Onam attracts thousands of Malayalis from New Jersey and New York. Visitors can expect an authentic Onam Sadhya served on banana leaves, Chenda Melam, Pookalam competitions, Kerala Street food stalls, traditional dances like Thiruvathira and Mohiniyattam, children’s performances, cultural programs, and family activities throughout the day.
- Date: 12 September 2026
- Venue: TBD – New Jersey
- Contact: www.kanj.org
MANCA Onam 2026, California
The Malayalee Association of Northern California (MANCA) will celebrate one of the best Onam 2026 events in California. It is a celebration cum community gathering with shared traditions and values. Onam Sadhya and cultural performances are integral to their celebration away from India. MANCA Onam is a ticketed event.
- Date: 22 August 2026
- Venue: Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545
- Contact: Website: www.mancaonline.org | Email: info@mancaonline.org
WMC California Onam
The World Malayali Council (WMC) organizes one of the grand Onam celebrations in California every year. Onam 2026 by WMC promises a memorable celebration of Kerala’s harvest festival and traditional culture not only for Malayali expats in the Bay Area but also other Indian communities from Silicon Valley. Interestingly, this Onam event is coinciding with the Indian Independence Day celebration on 15 August.
- Date: 15 August 2026
- Venue: Orchard City Banquet Hall, 1 W Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008
- Contact: +1 650-477-7188 | wmccalifornia@gmail.com | www.wmccalifornia.org
NEMA Onam Celebration, New England, MA
NEMA Mahotsavam 2026 is set to be one of the largest Onam celebrations in New England, welcoming the Malayali community of Massachusetts for a day of Kerala’s culture, traditions, and heritage. Organized by the New England Malayalee Association (NEMA), the celebration will feature traditional Onam Sadhya, cultural performances, Mega Thiruvathira, Pookalam, and family-friendly activities. It brings together Malayalis across New England to strengthen their community ties and pass on their cultural heritage to the next generation in the US.
- Date: 12 September 2026
- Venue: Andover High School, 80 Shawsheen Road, Andover, MA 01810
- Contact: Website: www.nemausa.org
DMC Onam Celebrations, Boston
The Dorchester Malayalee Community (DMC) will host its Onam 2026 Celebration in Boston, bringing together the Malayali community in USA for a day of Kerala’s rich culture and traditions. Organized for Malayalis living in and around the Greater Boston area, the celebration offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the festive beauty of Kerala and connect with the local community.
- Date: 29 August 2026
- Venue: TBA
- Contact: Instagram: @dorchester_malayalee_community
HOUSTONAM 2026 Onam Celebration, Texas
Hosted by Sri Guruvayurappan Temple (Kerala Hindu Society) in Houston, HOUSTONAM 2026 is promoted as America’s biggest Onam event. Unlike most other Onam events across USA, this is the most traditional celebration. HOUSTONAM is one of the few occasions when the Malayali expats across Texas get together for a day of feasting, cultural camaraderie, and family entertainment. With a spacious venue and thousands of attendees, HOUSTONAM is getting bigger every year.
- Date: 23 August 2026
- Venue: EPIC Event Center, 11230 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77031
- Contact: (832) 713-1710 | Email: temple@guruvayur.us
MAGC Onam 2026, Chicago
The Malayalee Association of Greater Chicago (MAGC) is all set to celebrate Onam 2026 as a grand cultural festival in the Midwest. Among the most popular Onam celebrations in Greater Chicago, this is famous for the authentic Ambiswami Onam Sadhya served on fresh banana leaves. Thattu is another destination for the best Onam Sadhya meals in Chicago.
- Date: 8 August 2026
- Venue: Christian Heritage Academy, Northfield, IL
- Contact: www.magconline.com | Email: ask@magconline.com
