Canada
Namaste Canada 2026 Draws More Than 7,500 Visitors in Vancouver: More than 7,500 people gathered in downtown Vancouver on September 19 for the 9th edition of Namaste Canada, a celebration of Indian culture organized by the Consulate General of India in Vancouver.
Held at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza, the festival brought together music, dance, food, handicrafts and cultural traditions, creating a lively showcase of India’s diversity for audiences from across the region.
The event featured more than 500 performers and over 30 cultural groups, with artists presenting a mix of traditional and contemporary Indian music and dance. Performances throughout the day highlighted the country’s many regional traditions while giving the audience an opportunity to experience Indian culture in the heart of Vancouver.
Consul General of India in Vancouver Masakui Rungsung expressed appreciation to the performers, cultural organizations, food vendors, volunteers, partners and community members who contributed to the festival.
The celebration also attracted political, business and cultural leaders from Indian-origin and other communities. Among those attending were Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour and Parliamentary Secretary; Rohini Arora, MLA for Burnaby East; and Sunita Dhir, MLA for Vancouver-Langara and Parliamentary Secretary. Chant praised the Consulate for presenting a cultural event that highlighted British Columbia’s multicultural character.
One of the highlights was the One District One Product (ODOP) Showcase, organized in collaboration with India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Four organizations from different parts of India travelled to Vancouver to showcase traditional products and craftsmanship. They included Rajasthali Emporium from Jaipur, Changra from Ladakh, Art of Thewa 1761 and TRIFED.
The showcase gave visitors an opportunity to learn more about the stories and traditions behind Indian handicrafts and regional products, while connecting India’s traditional artisans and products with an international audience.
The wider festival also featured displays organized by diaspora groups, with handicrafts, handlooms, textiles, spices and traditional products. Cultural representations from several parts of India were featured, including Northeast India, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Manipur, Kashmir, Bihar and Jharkhand, and Kerala.
Namaste Canada 2026 was designed not only as a cultural showcase but also as a community gathering, bringing people of different ages and backgrounds together through Indian food, music, dance, art and traditions.
The festival’s strong turnout of more than 7,500 visitors demonstrated the continuing interest in Indian culture among Vancouver’s diverse population and the important role cultural events can play in connecting India’s heritage with Canada’s multicultural community.
The 2026 edition also continued Namaste Canada’s role as one of the Consulate General of India’s major public cultural celebrations in Vancouver, offering the wider community an opportunity to experience the breadth and diversity of India’s cultural traditions.
