Tulsa's largest celebration of Indian culture drew 2,000 people last year. On Saturday, Aug. 29, the free festival returns to Broken Arrow with dance, food and a growing audience.

India Fest takes place at Rhema Ninowski Recreation Center, 1367 E. 71st St. in Broken Arrow, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public, according to the India Association of Greater Tulsa.

The festival features Dances of India performances, henna tattoos, Indian clothing, handicrafts and jewelry for sale, and food from three vendors: Aroma Fusion Delicacies and Drinks, Sunny's Catering and Tandoori Guys.

Manju Kaul, president of the India Association of Greater Tulsa and a nearly 30-year Tulsa resident, has led the festival's post-pandemic revival. This marks the third consecutive year India Fest has returned after COVID-19 disruptions forced it off the calendar.

Attendance doubled from about 1,000 in 2024 to 2,000 in 2025, the Tulsa Flyer reported. At its peak in the late 2010s, the festival drew around 6,000 people to Expo Square.

"I think India Fest is really to give back something to the community," former association president Mohan Kolkar told the Tulsa Flyer. "We all decided to come to (the) United States and migrate here, and we wanted to showcase what we have to offer to the rest of the community."

The India Association of Greater Tulsa, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972, organizes the event. The festival's origins trace to either a 1997 celebration of India's 50th independence anniversary or a 2004 tsunami fundraiser that drew an unexpectedly large crowd and inspired the association to host regular public events.

Kaul told the Tulsa Flyer that the early days of Tulsa's Indian community relied on word-of-mouth connections. She said the Tulsa Asia Fest earlier in 2026, hosted by the Asian Affairs Commission, helped her see Indians as part of Tulsa's broader Asian community for the first time.

Indians make up 15.2% of Tulsa's Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population, according to data from the Asian Affairs Commission.

Kaul told the Flyer she wants to rebuild India Fest with a broader vision focused on cross-community connections and giving the next generation pride in their roots.

Nonprofit organizations can exhibit for free at India Fest, or for $100 if selling goods. Commercial vendor booths cost $250. Each booth includes a 10-by-10-foot space, one table and two chairs. Platinum sponsors include Hampton Inn Tulsa Broken Arrow, Saint Francis Health System, Air Masters Inc. and Williams.

More information is available at iagtok.org or by calling (918) 928-5667. The India Association of Greater Tulsa also hosts Holi, Diwali and New Year's Eve celebrations throughout the year; dates for upcoming events will be posted at iagtok.org.