Kicking off Dallas Arts Month with a colorful celebration of Indian culture and spirituality, the third-annual Festival of Joy, presented by Kalachandji’s and community partners Sewell Lexus and American Airlines, brings together thousands of families, young adults and dignitaries for a fun-filled day of bright colors, beautiful flowers and décor, and a free vegetarian feast along with riveting music, dance and interactive cultural exhibits.

Free and open to the public, the Festival of Joy kicks off at 11 a.m. with a welcome ceremony at Klyde Warren Park, followed by a parade at noon through the Dallas Arts District and returning to the park around 1:30 p.m. Hundreds of festival-goers, pilgrims and faith leaders will hand-pull the colorful chariot carrying the sacred deities of Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama up and down Flora Street. Surrounding the chariot, hundreds more – including festival visitors – will dance while singing sacred mantras and playing traditional musical instruments. (Devotees believe that if they get the honor of pulling the ropes of the giant chariot carrying Lord Krishna, known as Jagannatha or the Lord of the Universe, then after this life they will obtain eternal service to the Lord in the spiritual world.)

After the procession ends at Klyde Warren Park, families and guests can enjoy cultural and educational exhibits revealing the spiritual heart of India until 6 p.m. The park will feature a main stage with kirtan (musical mantra meditation) and bharat-natyam (classical Indian dance), plus booths featuring traditional crafts, vegetarian cooking demonstrations, cultural displays, traditional dress-up (try on a sari or turban), face painting, mehendi (henna tattoos) and more.

Free and concessional parking is available on a first-come basis. Learn more at FestivalofJoyDallas.com or call 214-662-6889.