ICS community celebrates several events a year. All regular events are free to members. Some events may be free to non-members too (with some restrictions). Some special events may charge members at a discounted rate, and non-members at regular rate. Following is the schedule of our events.

India Day (Republic Day of India)

In late January or early February, we celebrate India and Indian Culture with India Day. It is an event with many Indian songs & dances, Indian food, multimedia presentations about India and India quiz. It is open to all (admission is free to members as well as non-members), but usually members get free dinner coupons.

Holi (Spring Festival of India)

In April, we celebrate Holi, the festival of colors (spring festival of India). It is an outdoor carnival, usually held in a park, where we setup stands for games, food, hold & cold drinks. We also end it with a riot of colors where people paint each other with dry colors (so please don't come in your best clothes).

World of Nations (hosted by City of Jacksonville)

ICS represents India at the World of Nations, an annual event hosted by the City of Jacksonville to showcase the ethnic diversity in the Jacksonville region. Come to our booth to enjoy Indian treats, Indian clothing and jewelry and don't leave without getting yourself a Henna tattoo (a completely organic, plant-extracted coloring dye used to paint on palms and feet).

Independence Day of India

In August, we celebrate India's Independence Day with a grand parade featuring hundreds of people waving Indian and US flags while dancing to Indian patriotic tunes. The parade is followed by a cultural program in a concert hall and finally free dinner is served. The focus of the event is India's Independence from British Empire in 1947, as well as the progress India has made since then.

The most important feature of this event is that it is not celebrated by ICS alone, but along with all India-related community organizations of greater Jacksonville area. The cultural program also features performances from all part of India sent in by various Indian organizations.

Diwali Gala (Fall Festival of India)

We celebrate our biggest event of the year in late October - the grand Diwali Gala. This is the most eagerly awaited event of the year where only members (and their guests) are allowed. It features a sit-down banquet accompanied with several dozen stage performances in a large hall or an indoor stadium. Our participants start practicing months in advance and although there are no winners or losers, the competition is palpable. Everybody comes dressed in their best and socializes and mingles with the whole community. The event usually ends with a sumptuous, authentic Indian gourmet dinner and freestyle dancing to live or DJ music.

Other Special Events

We also hold other special events such as - ICS private movie screenings, musical concerts, family fun nights and picnics. Please sign up for our event announcements email list, so that you are informed about upcoming events.