Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
- From 10:00 AM
First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration at the Asian Art Museum
At 1 p.m., all-ages family storytelling begins just as drop-in Rangoli and henna activities open; half an hour later, chef Priyanka Kothari talks about traditional Diwali sweets, followed by a tasting. A dance performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. These overlapping options make First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration a program to navigate by interest, rather than a sequence visitors can follow in full.
A chef’s perspective on Diwali sweets
At 1:30 p.m., Priyanka Kothari will discuss her journey from Rajasthan to the Bay Area and her perspective on traditional Diwali sweets; a tasting follows. The listing does not name the sweets, so the session is a chance to hear Kothari’s own approach rather than choose from a published menu.
At 2 p.m., Labonee Mohanta presents solo performances spanning traditional and modern South Asian dance, with an ensemble featuring youth dancers. Those two timed events offer afternoon focal points alongside the activities visitors can join on a drop-in basis.
Further reading: First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗
Plan around the overlaps
Rangoli making and henna art are scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. and are listed as appropriate for all ages. Mahjong runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a lesson as well as time to play, so it provides an option that spans both the morning and afternoon.
Family storytelling has two separate sessions: 11 a.m. for ages 3–6 and 1 p.m. for all ages. That second session overlaps with the start of the crafts. Families interested in both may want to choose which to prioritize; the 1:30 chef talk and 2 p.m. dance are the next timed program choices.
Further reading: First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗
A day of overlapping choices
Mahjong and morning storytelling lead into an afternoon when crafts, the second storytelling session, Kothari’s talk and tasting, and Mohanta’s performance share the schedule. The main early-afternoon conflict is between the 1 p.m. storytelling and the start of drop-in art.
Sunday, November 1 · Art Activities
- Rangoli making and henna art; drop-in, appropriate for all ages
Sunday, November 1 · Chef Talk and Tasting
- Priyanka Kothari shares her journey from Rajasthan to the Bay Area and her perspective on traditional Diwali sweets, followed by a tasting
Sunday, November 1 · Dance Performance
- Labonee Mohanta presents solo performances spanning traditional and modern South Asian dance, with an ensemble featuring youth dancers
Sunday, November 1 · Mahjong at the Museum
- Visitors can take a Mahjong lesson and play
Sunday, November 1 · Tours
- Family Storytelling for ages 3–6
- Family Storytelling for all ages
Before you go
Sunday, November 1, 2026
The event listing gives a 10 a.m. start but no separate closing time. The museum’s regular Sunday hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; individual program times are listed separately.
First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit - Asian Art Museum ↗
General admission is free
The museum says general admission is free on First Sundays, and the event is marked “Free with Admission.” Special-exhibition access is discounted but separate. The museum’s Plan Your Visit page lists a $10 special-exhibition add-on for Free First Sundays, while its Free and Reduced Admission page lists $15. Check the current ticket listing if you plan to add exhibition access; the event page does not specify a special-exhibition price.
First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit - Asian Art Museum ↗ · Free and Reduced Museum Admission - Asian Art Museum ↗
Reserve in advance if you can
The museum recommends advance reservations because same-day walk-up availability is limited for both general admission and special-exhibition tickets. The event listing does not say that a reservation is required.
Free and Reduced Museum Admission - Asian Art Museum ↗ · First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗
Guidance is activity-specific
Rangoli and henna are listed as appropriate for all ages. Storytelling is scheduled for ages 3–6 at 11 a.m. and for all ages at 1 p.m. The event listing gives no general age policy.
Getting to the museum
BART
The museum entrance is one block from Civic Center/UN Plaza BART Station. The museum’s directions say to follow signs for the UN Plaza exit, proceed past the Simón Bolívar statue, cross Hyde Street onto Fulton Street, then turn right on Larkin Street after one block. The directions describe stairs, an elevator or an escalator at the station exit.
Parking
The museum lists Civic Center Garage at 355 McAllister Street and UC Law Parking Garage at 376 Larkin Street, both within one block. No parking rates are stated here.
Before you make a plan
Is the Diwali program free?
General admission is free on First Sundays, and the event is marked “Free with Admission.” Special-exhibition access costs extra at a discounted rate; the museum’s published pages list different add-on prices, $10 and $15, so check the current ticket listing.
First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit - Asian Art Museum ↗ · Free and Reduced Museum Admission - Asian Art Museum ↗
Do I need to reserve a ticket?
The museum recommends reserving ahead because same-day walk-up availability is limited for general admission and special-exhibition tickets. The event listing does not state that reservations are required.
Free and Reduced Museum Admission - Asian Art Museum ↗ · First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗
Can families do the 1 p.m. storytelling and the drop-in art?
They overlap: all-ages storytelling begins at 1 p.m., when Rangoli and henna activities also open and continue through 4 p.m. The earlier story session is at 11 a.m. for ages 3–6.
First Free Sunday: Diwali Celebration - Calendar - Asian Art Museum ↗
Location & Google Maps
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.