IAGB Moves Its Annual India Day Celebration to Acton After Hosting It at Boston’s Hatch Shell for Nearly Two Decades

ACTON, MA — The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) has announced that its annual India Day celebration will move to NARA Park Amphitheater in Acton, MA this year, ending a long run at Boston’s Hatch Memorial Shell, where the organization hosted the event for nearly two decades.

Scheduled for August 15, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the festival will be presented under the theme “Colors of India – Stories That Inspire.” IAGB says the event will continue its tradition of showcasing Indian culture through music, dance, food, art, and community engagement activities.

According to IAGB leadership, the decision to relocate the event followed an evaluation of several venue options. Organizers cited accessibility, parking availability, audience comfort, and the ability to accommodate community activities as factors in selecting NARA Park.

“The move allows us to create a more immersive and comfortable experience for attendees and participating organizations,” said Prashant Kulkarni, who has been involved in planning the event.

The annual India Day celebration has become one of the largest gatherings of the Indian-American community in New England, attracting families, cultural organizations, performers, businesses, and nonprofit groups from across Massachusetts and neighboring states.

This year’s program is expected to feature performances representing a range of Indian artistic traditions, including classical, folk, Bollywood, and contemporary fusion styles. Organizers also plan to host community booths, cultural exhibits, family-oriented activities, and food vendors offering regional Indian cuisine.

The cultural programming is being coordinated by IAGB’s cultural team, including Jharna Madan, Shital Bhammer, and Arpita Das Pathak.

IAGB President Nilesh Agrawal said the organization sought a venue that could support both the event’s growing attendance and its expanding range of activities. NARA Park’s outdoor amphitheater setting provides additional space for performances, vendors, and community engagement opportunities.

Apna Bazar Farmers Market has been named the event’s grand sponsor. Craft Indian Kitchen will serve as the food partner, while Deepak Garg and Nilesh Agrawal are overseeing food vendor coordination.

Admission and parking will be free for attendees.

Founded more than six decades ago, IAGB is among the oldest Indian-American organizations in the United States. The nonprofit organization hosts cultural, educational, civic, and community-service programs throughout the year and serves the Indian diaspora across Greater Boston and New England.

For many attendees, the move to Acton represents a significant change for an event long associated with Boston’s iconic Hatch Shell. Organizers say they expect the festival’s core mission—celebrating India’s cultural heritage while bringing together diverse communities across New England—to remain unchanged as it begins its next chapter at NARA Park.