Celebrate San Jose -- Diwali Carnival

Golden Hour Walk + San Jose Diwali Carnival

Saturday, October 24 · Meet 5:00 PM · Free

Diwali is the festival of lights, so we're arriving the right way:
on foot, at sunset, together. We'll meet for coffee, take a golden
hour walk through downtown San Jose, and walk into the Diwali
Carnival at the downtown plaza as the lights come on.
https://sjdowntown.com/event-details/?slug=san-jose-diwali-carnival

WHAT TO EXPECT
Diwali is celebrated across India and by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists worldwide. It marks light
winning over darkness, and people celebrate with lamps, sweets,
new clothes and time with family and friends. Diwali itself falls
on Sunday, November 8 this year. This carnival is the early
community celebration, and everyone is welcome.

At the plaza you'll find:
- Indian street food stalls, so come hungry
- Live cultural performances, Bollywood music and dancing
- Carnival games and vendor booths
- Ravan Dahan after dark: a giant effigy of the demon king Ravana
is set alight, a tradition symbolizing good defeating evil
It's free and it gets busy. Last year's first edition drew over
10,000 people. Dress festive if you like; bright colors fit right in.

THE PLAN
5:00 PM Meet at Philz Coffee, 118 Paseo de San Antonio. Grab a
drink and meet the group.
5:30 PM Step off for the golden hour walk: San José State campus,
the City Hall rotunda, then down to the plaza. Step-by-step
directions are below.
6:10 PM Walk into the carnival together. Sunset is 6:18.
After Explore at your own pace: food, performances, the market,
and the Ravan Dahan once it's dark.
8:30 PM Optional: some of us may regroup at Bijan Bakery & Cafe,
170 S Market St, across from the plaza. No commitment.

GOOD TO KNOW
- New here or coming alone? That's who this is for.
- The carnival runs 2 to 10 PM at Plaza de César Chávez,
1 Paseo de San Antonio. Some maps label it "Plaza de San Jose".
- Entry is free. The organizer (AIA) may ask for a free RSVP on
their site. We'll post the link when it's up.
- We leave Philz at 5:30 sharp. Running late? Go straight to the
carnival. You can catch us walking in around 6:10 PM where the
Paseo de San Antonio meets Market Street, or just enjoy the
festival on your own.
- Parking is on you. City garages give 90 minutes free, then $1 per
15 minutes, $10 max on Saturdays. Street meters are free after 6 PM.
- Bring cash or a card for food, and a layer for after dark.

Celebrate Diwali yourself? Message us. We'd love a culture guide
or two to show the group around.

---------------------------------------------
SELF-GUIDED GOLDEN HOUR WALK
5:30 to about 6:10 PM · 1.1 miles · flat · two short stops

HOW IT RUNS
- We leave at 5:30 sharp, whoever is there.
- First to arrive is Point: read each step aloud and set the pace.
- One volunteer is Sweep: walk last, so nobody gets left at a light.
- Map pins to search if you get separated: "Historic Tower Hall",
"Rotunda at San Jose City Hall", "Plaza de San Jose".

START · 5:00 to 5:30 · Philz Coffee, 118 Paseo de San Antonio
Gather outside the front door on the pedestrian paseo. Ask anyone
waiting: "Diwali walk meetup?"

LEG 1 · 5 minutes · to Tower Hall
1. Walk east on the paseo toward San José State, away from the
downtown high-rises.
2. At 4th Street, cross and enter the campus.
3. Keep going into campus to Tower Hall, the old tower with a
lawn in front.

STOP 1 · 5:35 · Tower Hall lawn · 5 minutes
Circle up. Each person: first name, your city, and a festival you
grew up with.

LEG 2 · 8 minutes · to City Hall
4. Walk to King Library, the large building at the campus corner
of 4th Street and San Fernando Street.
5. Cross San Fernando and walk north on 4th Street one block to
Santa Clara Street.
6. City Hall is across Santa Clara Street. Look for the glass
dome. Cross and gather on the plaza in front of it.

STOP 2 · 5:48 · City Hall Rotunda · 5 minutes
Pair up with someone you haven't talked to yet: what are you most
looking forward to tonight, the food, the music or the fire?

LEG 3 · 15 minutes · to the carnival
7. Walk west on Santa Clara Street, toward the sunset and the
downtown towers. Cross 4th, 3rd and 2nd Streets.
8. At 1st Street (light rail tracks), turn left.
9. Walk south on 1st Street and cross San Fernando Street. About
2 minutes later, turn right onto the pedestrian Paseo de San
Antonio.
10. Follow the paseo one block to Market Street. The plaza and
the carnival are directly across the street.

ARRIVE · about 6:10 · Walk in together. Sunset is 6:18.

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