Yorkshire’s biggest Garba celebration returns to Leeds with six nights of dance, music, food and cultural traditions bringing generations together across the region…reports India Daily News Desk
Chiragi @ Bollywood’s Navratri Garba 2026 will bring thousands of dancers, families and young people together across Leeds for a six-night celebration of Gujarati heritage, music, food and community.
The festival opens on September 26 at South Leeds Stadium, where organisers expect more than 1,200 people to attend the launch night. The 10,000-square-foot venue will be transformed into a large Garba arena featuring live DJ sets, traditional dance and a festival marketplace.
Five further nights are scheduled for October 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at Aria Suite in Leeds.
Organisers say the event has grown into one of Yorkshire’s largest annual Garba gatherings, attracting students, young people and multi-generational families from across West Yorkshire and beyond.
At the centre of the celebrations is Garba, the traditional Gujarati folk dance recognised by UNESCO on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The circular dance brings participants together through rhythm, movement and shared cultural traditions.
Chiragi Solanki, organiser of Chiragi @ Bollywood, said the festival was intended to make the tradition accessible to people of all generations.
“Garba is far more than an event. It’s a living cultural movement that belongs to every generation,” Solanki said. “Whether you’ve danced for years or are stepping onto the floor for the first time, the youth energy and traditional beats take over.”
The event will also promote cultural exchange and community participation, with organisers describing it as a family-friendly and inclusive celebration bringing together people from different backgrounds.
Music will be a major part of the festival, with DJs associated with the Soul Asia Roadshow providing the soundtrack for the dance floors. The organisers are also combining traditional elements with large-scale sound and stage production aimed at attracting a younger audience.
Food and independent businesses will add another dimension to the celebrations. Punjabi Heaven will serve Indian street food, while Bagaara Utsav will offer South Indian cuisine. Indian Kirana will provide traditional paan, alongside stalls selling Indian clothing, jewellery, accessories and other festival merchandise.
The 2026 festival is sponsored by Rock On Music, Tharavadu, Akshar Supermarket and Abu Bakr. It is supported by Bagaara Utsav, Soul Asia Roadshow, Fever Radio, Assured Cars, Punjabi Heaven, Uyare and Aria Events.
Organisers said free on-site parking and spacious venues will help accommodate families and visitors throughout the celebrations.
The six-night programme reflects the growing popularity of South Asian cultural events in Yorkshire, particularly among younger generations seeking ways to connect with their heritage while creating new community spaces.
Tickets for Chiragi’s Navratri Garba 2026 are available online through FIXR, while vendor enquiries can be made directly with Chiragi Solanki.
