Quick answer (as of 9 October 2026): Dussehra is Tuesday 20 October 2026 in the USA. The main Ravan Dahan events we could verify are the 28th annual Dushahra at Lake Papaianni Park, Edison, New Jersey on Saturday 10 October (rain date 24 October), the AIA Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California on Saturday 17 October, and the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas in Allen, Texas on Dussehra day itself. Outside the USA, Adelaide's Deepavali festival on 7 November also lists a Ravan Dahan.

For many Indian American families, the moment a towering Ravana effigy goes up in flames is the clearest memory of Dussehra, whether from Ramlila grounds back home or from a New Jersey park. Ravan Dahan marks the victory of Rama over Ravana and, more simply, of good over evil. In the USA, the big public burnings are often held on the nearest weekend, so the calendar spreads over several Saturdays. Below is every event we could verify for 2026, with venue, date and organiser exactly as listed and a link to the source. Check the organiser's page for timings and tickets before you go.

Ravan Dahan 2026 at a glance

DateCityEventVenueOrganiser
Sat 10 Oct (rain date 24 Oct)Edison, NJ28th annual Dushahra festivalLake Papaianni ParkIndo-American Festivals Inc.
Sat 17 OctPleasanton, CADussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2026Alameda County Fairgrounds & Event CenterAssociation of Indo Americans (AIA)
Tue 20 OctAllen, TX (Dallas)Dussehra cultural performance and Ravan DahanRadha Krishna Temple of DallasRadha Krishna Temple of Dallas
Sat 7 NovAdelaide, AustraliaAdelaide's Biggest Deepavali Festival 2026Adelaide Showground, WayvilleHindu Council of Australia - SA

Edison, New Jersey: 28th annual Dushahra, Saturday 10 October

Status: official. Indo-American Festivals Inc. lists the 28th annual Dushahra festival for 10 October 2026 at Lake Papaianni Park, Edison, New Jersey, with a rain date of 24 October 2026. The grand finale is a Ravan Dahan at 7:30pm in the open field, with a 20-25 foot effigy of Ravana. Admission and parking are free (Source: Dushahra - Indo-American Festivals Inc., checked 9 October 2026).

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Now in its 28th year, this is a long-standing fixture for New Jersey families, and it falls on the eve of Navratri, which begins on Sunday 11 October. With rain possible in October, check the organiser's page for timings and tickets on the day itself in case the rain date is used.

Pleasanton, California: AIA Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka, Saturday 17 October

Status: official. The Association of Indo Americans (AIA) will hold Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2026 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, on Saturday 17 October 2026, from 12pm to 11pm. The organiser's page lists a Ravan Dahan after sunset, with a 40-foot effigy, followed by fireworks. Rath Yatra, a RamLeela dance drama, Dandiya, stalls and a kids' zone are also listed, and visitors enter through Gate 8 or Gate 12 off Valley Avenue (Source: Association of Indo Americans (AIA Events), checked 9 October 2026).

This is a full-day event for the Bay Area, combining the Ramlila story with the effigy burning and a Diwali-style fair. It falls during Navratri, three days before Dussehra. Check the organiser's page for timings and tickets.

Allen, Texas: Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, Tuesday 20 October

Status: official. The Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas in Allen, Texas has published its Navratri 2026 programme, running 10 to 20 October. On Dussehra, Tuesday 20 October 2026, the temple lists a Dussehra cultural performance and Ravan Dahan from 6:00 to 8:00pm, followed by Garba and Dandiya from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Source: Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, 8 October 2026).

This is the only listing in our roundup held on Vijayadashami itself, which makes it a good choice for families who want the ritual on the actual day. As it is a weekday evening, plan for traffic and check the temple's official website for current timings.

Outside the USA: Adelaide's Deepavali with Ravan Dahan, 7 November

Status: official. Hindu Council of Australia - SA will hold 'Adelaide's Biggest Deepavali Festival 2026' on Saturday 7 November 2026 at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville. The listing mentions Ravan Dahan, fireworks, traditional music and Indian food, and tickets are sold through Eventbrite (Source: Eventbrite (organiser: Hindu Council of Australia - SA), checked 9 October 2026). We did not find a 2026 Ravan Dahan listing in the UK or Canada in our news check; see the Diwali 2026 events in Australia and New Zealand roundup for more.

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Dussehra muhurat: use your own city

Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 in the USA, per Drik Panchang. The Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna time depend on your local sunrise and sunset, so do not copy India's times. Find yours on Dussehra 2026 USA: Vijayadashami muhurat and Ravana Dahan timings. For India's dates and muhurat, see Dussehra 2026 date and Vijayadashami muhurat.

What Ravan Dahan means

The burning of Ravana's effigy, often alongside Kumbhakarna and Meghnad in India, recalls Rama's victory in the Ramayana and is the climax of Ramlila performances across North India. In the Bengali and eastern tradition, the same day is Bijoya Dashami, ending Durga Puja with the goddess's farewell; in the south it is Vijayadashami, a day for beginning learning and honouring tools. Read Ravana Dahan: why we burn Ravana and the two Dussehra legends.

Tips for families

  • Keep children back from the effigy: follow the organisers' barriers and safety instructions.
  • Check the weather: outdoor events may move to a rain date, as Edison's listing shows.
  • Mark the day at home too: Shami puja, Aparajita puja or simply a family aarti on 20 October keeps the day's meaning.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in the USA?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 in the USA, the same date as India, according to Drik Panchang. Navratri runs 11 to 19 October. For the Vijay Muhurat in your city, use our Dussehra 2026 USA muhurat page, not India's times.

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Where can I see Ravan Dahan in New Jersey in 2026?

Indo-American Festivals Inc. lists the 28th annual Dushahra festival for Saturday 10 October 2026 at Lake Papaianni Park, Edison, with a rain date of 24 October. The listing gives the Ravan Dahan grand finale at 7:30pm, with free admission and parking.

Is there a Ravan Dahan in the Bay Area?

Yes. The Association of Indo Americans (AIA) lists a Ravan Dahan after sunset at its Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka, held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton on Saturday 17 October 2026, followed by fireworks.

Is there a Ravan Dahan on Dussehra day in Dallas?

The Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas in Allen, Texas lists a Dussehra cultural performance and Ravan Dahan on Tuesday 20 October 2026, followed by Garba and Dandiya, as part of its Navratri programme.

Why are some Ravan Dahan events held on weekends before Dussehra?

Large outdoor events in the USA usually need a weekend and a booked venue, so organisers pick the nearest suitable Saturday. The ritual meaning is the same; families can still mark Vijayadashami itself at home or at the temple on 20 October.

Will this page be updated?

Yes. News was checked on 9 October 2026, and we will update as announcements change, for example if Edison moves to its rain date.

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

News checked on 9 October 2026; we will update as announcements change. Every event on this page comes from the organiser's or temple's own listing, cited above, and we have not added times, prices or performers beyond what those listings state. Festival dates are from Drik Panchang. Please check the organiser's page for timings and tickets before you travel.