The Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas has released the full schedule for its Janmashtami Mahotsav 2026, a free, nine-day celebration at 1450 N. Watters Road in Allen that begins with children's events on Friday, Aug. 28, and culminates in a four-day festival Sept. 3 to 6.

Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna in the Hindu tradition. The temple, founded in 2017 by Swami Mukundananda, said the celebration is open to all regardless of background.

Registration is required.

Kids and family events lead the way

The schedule opens with a Kids Fancy Dress Contest on Friday, Aug. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the temple's Seva Kunj space. Children can dress as Krishna, Radha Rani and other devotional figures.

Saturday, Aug. 29, brings an Open Stage for devotional and cultural performances from 4 to 7 p.m. at CICE, one of the temple's three event spaces. Kids Workshops follow Sunday, Aug. 30, in two sessions: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Seva Kunj.

Main festival: Sept. 3–6

The four-day Mahotsav opens Thursday, Sept. 3, with a Krishna Movie Night and Bal Gopal Birthday Party from 6 to 7 p.m. at Seva Kunj.

Friday, Sept. 4, is the core Janmashtami night. Krishna Abhishek runs 5 to 6 p.m., a Braj Mela cultural fair opens at 5 p.m., and the Grand Midnight Janmotsav fills the Prayer Hall from 10 p.m. to midnight with a Jhoolan swing ceremony, cake cutting, cultural program, midnight aarti and archana. The temple will livestream the midnight celebration for those who cannot attend in person.

Saturday, Sept. 5, starts with Suprabhatam morning prayers at 8 a.m., followed by Mandala Abhishek with 108 Kalash and the Alankar of Shri Venkateshwar Swamy from 9 to 10 a.m. That evening: Braj Mela (5 to 6 p.m.), a Krishna Leela cultural performance (6 to 7 p.m.) and Bhajan Jamming (7 to 8 p.m.) at CICE.

The festival closes Sunday, Sept. 6, with a Sunday Satsang led by Swami Mukundananda from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dahi Handi and a cultural program by Maharashtra Mandal from 4 to 5 p.m., and a final Braj Mela from 5 to 6 p.m.

How to take part

Admission is free for every event. The temple said registration is mandatory and can be completed at radhakrishnatemple.net/janmashtami.

Volunteers are needed for decorations, prasadam (blessed food) service, event coordination, parking and greeting guests. Seva sponsorship tiers range from grand sponsor packages down to individual offerings such as a garland, flute or birthday cake for Baby Krishna.

The temple draws families from Allen, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Richardson, Dallas, Irving and across the DFW Metroplex, according to its blog post announcing the schedule.

As we reported in July, the North Watters Road temple hosted a five-day Vedic consecration ceremony earlier this summer.

For questions, contact the temple at 469-795-9130 or [email protected].

Upcoming community calendar

  • Friday, Aug. 28: Kids Fancy Dress Contest, 6–8 p.m., Radha Krishna Temple Seva Kunj
  • Saturday, Aug. 29: Open Stage performances, 4–7 p.m., Radha Krishna Temple CICE
  • Sunday, Aug. 30: Kids Workshops, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Radha Krishna Temple Seva Kunj
  • Thursday, Sept. 3 – Sunday, Sept. 6: Janmashtami Mahotsav 2026, Radha Krishna Temple, 1450 N. Watters Road, Allen