Navratri

Navratri comes to the Special Events Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, from 8 PM to 11 PM both nights. It's put on by the Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay, the same group that organizes the India Festival, which they describe as Florida's largest celebration of Indian culture.

Navratri is a nine-night festival honoring the goddess Durga, and the centerpiece here is Garba, a circular dance performed around a central lamp or image—a tradition shared by Gujarati communities all over the world. The two nights in Tampa are built around that, with Garba and Dandiya, music, and cultural performances. Traditional dress is customary, though you don't have to wear it to join in.

If you're not familiar, Garba is the circular dance that gives the festival its name, and Dandiya is the version where you dance with sticks. Both are energetic, and both are a big part of what the Gujarati Samaj brings to the Fairgrounds for these two nights. Between the dancing, there's music and cultural performances to round things out.

It's free for members and $30 for non-members. Parking is $10 online in advance or $12 on-site. The venue is the Special Events Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Hwy 301 N, Tampa, FL 33610—use the MLK Jr. Blvd entrance, Gate 3. Both nights run from 8 PM to 11 PM.