IACEC Presents: Mehregan Festival and Business Networking

On Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Elks Lodge in Carmichael will host the Mehregan Festival, an afternoon that brings the Iranian American community of the Sacramento region together with its neighbors. The festival is organized by the Iranian American Cultural and Educational Center, IACEC. Presented as IACEC's Northern California Impact Summit, it runs from 3 to 7 PM. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Mehregan is one of the oldest celebrations in the Iranian calendar. It is associated with Mehr, the ancient figure linked with covenant, light and friendship. For centuries Iranians have celebrated this day, which comes with the arrival of autumn and the harvest. This year, for the first time, the Iranian center of Sacramento holds it together with the seasonal business gatherings, and the organizers have planned a range of programs for children and adults to bring the spirit of the festival back to life in people's hearts, and at the same time to open a cultural bridge to the other communities of the region.

Live music, a DJ and Persian dance fill the afternoon. For children there are a bounce house, face painting and games. A friendly soccer competition ends with prizes for the winners. Community booths feature nonprofit resources, Persian food, local vendors and the work of local makers.

The festival is also a place where businesses of many kinds meet and get to know one another, and the Owrang Institute of Arts and Culture takes part as a nonprofit organization. At its booth, Owrang will meet visitors, introduce its work in theater, publishing, classes and cultural programs, and share news of its upcoming events. Readers of this magazine are warmly invited to visit the Owrang booth.

IACEC serves the Farsi and Dari speaking community of the Sacramento region through cultural and educational programs, wellness and social integration, and it also runs Radio Bamdad. The festival is supported by SMUD, Viva Supermarket, Sacramento County, Hariri Financial Partners and the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health.

Mehregan Festival
Sunday, October 4, 2026, 3 PM to 7 PM
Elks Lodge Carmichael, 5631 Cypress Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608
Free admission, open to the public
iacec.org