Suhoor, the midnight pre-dawn meal eaten in preparation for a day of fasting, is observed by billions of Muslims worldwide throughout Ramadan. It can be eaten in peace at home, such as when a couple of Medjool dates are still sleepy from sleep. For thousands of Muslims in the Bay Area, it also marks the occasion for the largest halal food festival of the year, Suhoor Fest, which is a massive gathering of food sellers, apparel and art merchants, and upbeat Arabic music in a parking lot the size of a football field in San Jose.
Suhoor Fest, which is in its fourth year, is one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the United States. According to Hisham Abdelfattah, owner of El Halal Amigos, it is so massive that “it feels like every Muslim in California is there.” The SABA Center in North San Jose will host this year’s event on Saturday, March 15, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
One of the numerous community events that emerged in response to pandemic isolation is Suhoor Fest, which is organized by Halal Fest, which has been hosting halal cuisine events in the Bay Area since 2013. In the Arab world and other Muslim-majority nations like Malaysia or Pakistan, where his father is from, Bay Area Muslims may have felt a sense of “home,” according to founder Irfan Rydhan.
According to Rydhan, “During the day, everything is usually shut down, and then after sunset, everyone breaks their fast, and then they start to go out to participate in the street food.”
The Halal Fest crew is attempting to recreate that vibrant environment in the Bay with Suhoor Fest, where people are socializing outside till late at night.
With a list of 21 halal food and beverage exhibitors, including a few well-known first-timers, the 2025 Suhoor Fest appears to be the biggest one to date. For the first time, Zareen’s, arguably the most popular Pakistani-Indian eatery on the Peninsula, will have a booth. San Jose’s newest Palestinian restaurant, Manakish Oven, will serve its selection of well-liked flatbreads. Additionally, the Cabalen Sweet & Savory truck will be available to sell its distinctive fusion of Middle Eastern and Filipino foods to guests who prefer their shawarma with lumpia.
Naturally, some of the longest lines during Suhoor Fest will be drawn by returning anchors like El Halal Amigos. Abdelfattah says he’ll be experimenting this year with his street tacos, which will involve melting cheese on the tortilla in the quesataco way while it crisps on the griddle.
This year’s additions include a mocktail pop-up and an exotic automobile exhibition. Although admission is free otherwise, there is also the option to purchase $50 VIP tickets, which include a grab bag of coupons and other goodies like a T-shirt, a can of Drink Palestina soda, which is owned by Palestinian Americans and donates 10% of its profits to Palestinian relief, a raffle ticket for the opportunity to see the Warriors’ Muslim Heritage Night game at Chase Center, and more.
For the Muslim community in the Bay Area, Suhoor Fest is, in many respects, the largest and happiest celebration of the year. With almost 48,000 Palestinians reportedly killed since Israel began its war on Gaza and its raids on the occupied West Bank, and a precarious ceasefire that many believe is about to end, this year’s event is also tinged with pain and anxiety.
“Yes, Ramadan is here. “This time of year is the most beautiful,” Abdelfattah declares. “But because of what’s happening in Gaza, in particular, it’s also very, very difficult to enjoy all of the beautiful things that come with Ramadan.”
Both Rydhan and Abdelfattah mention their sense of duty to the larger Muslim community in the Bay Area to engage in Sadaqah, or charitable giving, throughout the month of Ramadan. Rydhan states that they should constantly be thinking of “our brothers and sisters around the world, especially in Palestine and Gaza.” In order to achieve this, Suhoor Fest will collaborate with Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit organization that will have a booth set up to gather money for Gaza.
Abdelfattah will also host a separate Suhoor Night event at El Halal Amigos (with a special guest appearance by Zareen’s) on Fri., March 21, where he’ll serve beef bacon breakfast burritos and donate 20% of the proceeds to Islamic Relief.
Of course, one of the most unique aspects of Suhoor Fest is that it runs until 5 a.m. — and every year, there’s always a healthy crowd that stays to the end to share a quieter, more contemplative moment with their community. After all, Abdelfattah says, “The reason why it runs until 5 a.m. is because we’re all still together to pray right at sunrise after we’ve filled our bellies.”
On Saturday, March 15, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Suhoor Fest will be held in the parking lot of the SABA Islamic Center (4415 Fortran Ct., San Jose). On Friday, March 21, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., El Halal Amigos will host a separate Suhoor Night event at 1100 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose. On Saturday, March 22, Zareen’s will also have a Suhoor Night at its Palo Alto location.
