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The Federation of Indian Associations of Ohio has announced that its flagship India Festival will return Aug. 22 to the Celeste Center at the Ohio Expo Center, bringing Indian culture, traditions and regional diversity to Central Ohio.
Now in its 28th year, the festival has grown into one of the region’s largest cultural showcases, attracting thousands of visitors from Ohio and neighboring states, according to an FIA statement.
This year’s program will feature the Bharat Showcase, a curated series of performances representing different regions of India. Centered on the theme of weddings, the showcase will take audiences on a cultural journey through the country’s states, highlighting their distinct performing arts, customs and heritage.
The festival will also include traditional folk dances, classical art forms and Bollywood-inspired entertainment presented by local and international performers.
An Indian bazaar will offer clothing, jewelry, handicrafts and home décor, while food vendors will serve dishes representing the flavors of various regions of India. Other attractions will include a free health fair, art exhibitions, travel and education resources, and interactive Discover India cultural displays.
Hyderabad-based progressive rock fusion band Threeory will be among the festival’s featured performers. Founded in 2013 as a three-member group, the band is known for blending Indian classical music with global genres and its signature contemporary sound.
Threeory is currently touring the United States, with performances scheduled in cities including Chicago, Novi, Austin and Denver. The band is expected to take the stage at India Festival after 7 p.m.
FIA is also introducing a Cultural Ambassador initiative at this year’s festival. Through the program, members of the Indian diaspora may invite a neighbor, friend, colleague or another guest of non-Indian heritage to attend the event free of charge. Guests can be registered through the festival’s online form.
“India Festival 2026 is bringing new ways to experience and share India,” FIA President Sriram Menneni said. “From the Bharat Showcase: Wedding Edition and the first-ever FIA performance by fusion band Threeory to our new Cultural Ambassador Program, we’re celebrating India’s incredible diversity while inviting all of Central Ohio to experience it with us.”
FIA Chairman Rajani Katte described the festival as both a source of community pride and an opportunity to introduce Indian culture to a wider audience.
“India Festival is a source of great pride for our community and an open invitation to all of Central Ohio,” Katte said. “It is proof that when we share our culture instead of keeping it to ourselves, we build something truly meaningful: a celebration that belongs to everyone.”
FIA Vice Chair Rupam Choskhi said the festival has long served as a major gathering for the region’s Indian community.
“India Festival has been, for years, the largest gathering of Asian Indians in Central Ohio, where over 35 local Indian organizations come together to showcase India uniquely,” Choskhi said.
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