Your Guide to the US Festival 2026

• Please do not use laptops during sessions. Electronic notepads and phone can be used during the session for notetaking only. Please make sure your device is in airplane mode to help our live streaming! 

• You will need to show your Celebration pass each time you enter the temple. 

• Please arrive 10 minutes before each session begins.

• Please do not bring food or drink into the Temple other than bottled water. 

• Please do not sit on the floor or lean against the glass walls in the Temple. 

• If you have pre-registered for hard of hearing seating, please ask the Temple Stewards to show you where this section is located.

• Children under 3 years are not permitted in the temple during meditation, empowerment, and teaching sessions. There is a video link for families with children of all ages in the World Peace Cafe. 

• Please note: Photography is not permitted inside the Temple during sessions without prior authorization from the Festival Managers.

These sadhanas will be used during the sessions. They are available for purchase in the Bookstore in the temple.

• Prayers for Meditation

• Wishfulfilling Jewel

• Offering to the Spiritual Guide

• The Great Mother

• The Yoga of Great Mother Prajnaparamita

• Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche from his Faithful Disciples

Download ebooklets of these sadhanas here. The Tharpa bookstore onsite will have sadhanas available.

The Gift Shop and Tharpa Bookstore are located in the veranda of the Temple. There you will find Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s books and many items produced by Tharpa Publications along with statues, ritual items and a wide range of gifts.

The World Peace Café, located in the Lodge building, has a selection of teas, locally roasted espresso and coffee, healthy snacks, cold drinks and delicious baked goods. The café will be open throughout the day. 

Coffee to Go is located outside the Barn building on Saturday and Sunday. Here you can find drip coffee, tea and handheld snacks.

Volunteers are part of creating these incredible events and it is a great way to meet people. The whole Celebration – cooking, cleaning, serving meals, working in the cafe, and on and on – is run entirely by volunteers from Celebration participants like you, and extra help is always needed. Please visit the Volunteer Desk at the Temple to sign up!

During Sessions: Families with children are welcome to sit in the World Peace Cafe during sessions. Children over 3 years of age may attend the empowerment and teachings in the Temple, if they can remain still and quiet so as not to distract others. Please do not bring babies or young children into the meditations. Children who disrupt others will not be allowed to remain in the Temple. 

Parents are reminded that children of all ages must be under adult supervision at all times. 

Fire Safety: Strictly no open flames allowed in the rooms or on the grounds. This includes: campfires, camping stoves, candles, and incense.

In the case of an emergency, the evacuation point is the Temple. If there is an emergency in the Temple, please go to the Barn parking lot.

Info Desk: The Information desk is located in the Reception Office. This is the first point of contact for general site and local information, first aid assistance, or you can report any household or maintenance issues. 

Lost & Found: Please look after your valuables at all times. Unattended bags and general lost property will be placed at the Information Desk. Valuable lost property will be held securely at the Information Desk. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to visitors’ property. DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR TENT OR SHARED ACCOMMODATION.

Registration: is open in the times listed in the schedule, but will also be available in the temple veranda 20 minutes before each session.

Camping: Please only camp in the designated areas.KMC NY is home to various animals, including bears and raccoons, who are very interested in any food you might have in your tent. For your own safety, and also to prevent damage to your belongings, DO NOT KEEP FOOD IN YOUR TENT.

Fire Safety: Strictly no open flames allowed in the rooms or on the grounds. This includes: campfires, camping stoves, candles, and incense. In the case of an emergency, the evacuation point is the Temple. If there is an emergency in the Temple, please go to the Barn parking lot.

Site Grounds: The local environment of KMC New York, especially the trails, is rough. Please watch your step and be mindful, especially if walking off any paths. 

Stay on Our Property: Please be aware that KMC NY is bordered by private property. Please do not go off our walking trails. 

Moral Discipline on the Property: Please remember KMC NY is a spiritual setting. It is not permitted to play music or musical instruments anywhere on the site. 

Smoking (including marijuana and vaping) and taking intoxicants are not allowed anywhere on the property. 

Profits raised by the NKT-IKBU Northeast Dharma Celebration are dedicated for public benefit to the International Temples Project and used for the development of the KMCs and Temple Projects throughout the world.

Below are the meals for the Festival. If you have severe or particular allegies, please check with a server for a full list of ingredients.

Friday Lunch (4/24): Creamy Tomato White Bean & Kale Stew
Allergens: Milk, coconut, miso

Friday Dinner (4/24): Gumbo Stew with Cornbread
Allergens: Vegan Cornbread: Soy, wheat; Cornbread: Milk, eggs, wheat

Saturday Lunch (4/25): Pad Thai Salad with Cucumber Salad
Allergens: Soy, sesame

Saturday Dinner (4/25): Burrito Bowl with Pinto Beans & Tortilla
Allergens: Optional Cheese: milk; Tortilla: wheat

Sunday Lunch (4/26): BBQ Pulled “Pork” Sandwich
Allergens: Soy; Bun: wheat

Sunday Dinner (4/26): Butternut Curry Soup with a Ciabatta Roll
Allergens: Soup: coconut; Ciabatta: wheat

Monday Lunch (4/27): Mediterranean Chickpea Salad w/ Pita
Allergens: Optional feta on salad: dairy; Hummus: sesame, Tzatziki: milk; Pita: wheat

Monday Dinner (4/27): Punjab Saag Paneer w/ Rice & Indian Carrot Salad
Allergens: Saag Paneer: Vegan version: soy, Saag Paneer: milk; Both Vegan and regular: coconut, sesame; Indian Carrot Salad: almonds, sesame

Optional Naan: wheat

Tuesday Lunch (4/28): Stir Fry with Broccoli and Carrots w/Jasmine Rice & Cheesecake
Allergens: Stir fry: soy; Vegan Cheesecake: wheat and soy; Cheesecake: dairy and wheat

Tuesday Dinner (4/28): Moroccan Vegetable Stew with Rice

Wednesday Lunch (4/29): Festival Favs Potluck Meal
Check with servers for allergens.