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Celebrate India
India's calendar bursts with religious, regional, musical, cultural and culinary celebrations. Filter by month, type or state to plan around the right moment.
Happening soon
Indian festivals mostly follow lunar calendars, so the exact days shift each year. We name the month they fall in and leave the day to the panchang closer to the time.
Festival calendarFestival directory
Use the calendar when timing is the main decision, or browse the directory for context, location and meaning.
Cuttack (Gadavada ghat on the Mahanadi River), Odisha
One of Asia's biggest open-air trade fairs, commemorating ancient Kalinga merchants who sailed to Bali, Sumatra, and Java.
Bundi town, chiefly around Taragarh Fort and Nawal Sagar Lake, Rajasthan.
A cultural carnival spotlighting Hadoti heritage through classical arts, mustache pageants, and river lamp floating.
Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and by migrant communities.
An ancient festival of thanksgiving to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, observed with rigorous fasting and offerings (arghya) to the rising and setting sun at riverbanks.
Uttar Pradesh
Dev Diwali — the "Diwali of the Gods" — is celebrated 15 days after Diwali. Varanasi's ghats are lit with over a million earthen lamps as locals welcome the gods believed to descend to earth.
Nationwide across India, particularly iconic in Ayodhya, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
The festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya and the worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
Varanasi (Kashi), chiefly Dashashwamedh Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat, Uttar Pradesh.
Celebrates India's rich classical music, dance, and Vedic traditions against the beautifully lit historic steps of Varanasi.
Celebrated with immense devotion in Punjab (especially at the Golden Temple in Amritsar), Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and globally by the Sikh diaspora.
Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism. Marked by Akhand Path readings, Nagar Kirtan processions, and langar (community meals) at gurudwaras.
Hampi (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ballari District, Karnataka
A mega state festival celebrating the golden era heritage of the Vijayanagara Empire with illuminated monuments, music, and dance.
Tiruvannamalai (Arunachaleswarar Temple), Tamil Nadu
An ancient fire festival celebrating Shiva as infinite cosmic light. Climax features lighting a massive three-ton ghee cauldron on Arunachala Hill.
Rampur Bushahr, Satluj nadi na kinare, Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh.
A historic international trade fair famous for bartering pashmina, dry fruits, and rare Himalayan mountain horses.
Alwar district, with key events staged at the City Palace (Vinay Vilas Mahal) and Siliserh Lake, Rajasthan.
Showcases the deep historical heritage and folk traditions of Alwar through hot-air ballooning and musical recitals.
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The sacred town of Pushkar, situated on the edge of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.
One of the world's largest camel and livestock fairs, blending trading with folk music, camel races, cultural competitions and a sacred bathing pilgrimage at Pushkar Lake.
Set in Dhordo and across the expansive Great Rann of Kutch salt desert in Gujarat.
A celebration of Kutchi culture set on the surreal white salt desert — folk music and dance, handicrafts, camel rides, and tent-city stays under the full moon.
On the banks of the sacred Renuka Lake, Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
An ancient lakeside fair celebrating the mythical, emotional reunion of Lord Parashurama and his mother Renuka.
The Mithila region of Bihar and adjoining border areas of Nepal.
A sweet festival honoring the bond between brothers and sisters through clay bird figurines and traditional theatrical folk songs.
Imphal, Loktak Lake (Moirang) and various venues across Manipur.
A grand state showcase named after the endemic brow-antlered deer, celebrating Manipur's arts, food, and martial arts.
The historic Shamlaji Temple, situated on the banks of the Meshwo River, Aravalli district, Gujarat.
A massive tribal commercial trade and bathing pilgrimage attracting communities to worship Lord Shamlaji.
Tribal regions of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal (Santhal, Munda and Oraon communities).
A livestock harvest festival where cattle are bathed and tribal women paint spectacular geometric murals on mud walls.
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Sonepur, at the confluence of the Ganges and Gandak rivers, Saran district, Bihar.
A ancient, massive livestock fair located at the sacred confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers, historically famous for elephant trading.
Vautha, at the Saptasangam (confluence of seven rivers), Dholka taluka, Ahmedabad district, Gujarat.
A historic animal trading fair where thousands of decorated donkeys and camels are bartered at a seven-river confluence.
Prominently celebrated in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, as well as in parts of Assam and neighboring Garo settlements.
A post-harvest thanksgiving of the Garo people to the sun god Misi Saljong, famous for synchronised drumming and traditional dance in colourful costume.
Iconic in Goa, Kerala, Northeast India, and major metropolitan cities.
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, marked by midnight mass, carols, nativity scenes, decorated trees and feasting — especially vibrant in Goa and Kerala.
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Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa (Velha Goa), Goa.
A globally renowned solemn Christian pilgrimage celebrating the patron saint of Goa with special open-air masses.
Throughout Ladakh, across all households and major Gelugpa monasteries such as Thiksey, Likir, and Spituk.
Commemorates the passing of Je Tsongkhapa, turning the city into a field of light lamps to mark the Ladakhi New Year.
Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, located near Kohima, Nagaland.
The 'Festival of Festivals' showcasing all of Nagaland's major tribes — traditional dances, music, indigenous games, crafts, and food in one grand cultural gathering.
Held at the open-air auditorium with the Konark Sun Temple as the backdrop, in Puri district, Odisha.
A festival of Indian classical dance — Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak and more — performed in an open-air setting before the UNESCO Sun Temple.
Losoong (also called Namsoong) is the Sikkimese New Year, marking the end of the harvest season for the Bhutia and Lepcha communities. Gompas hold cham (masked) dances that drive out the old year's evil spirits before the new one begins.
Goa, usually hosted across prominent beachside venues like Vagator or Candolim.
A massive multi-day EDM festival drawing top global DJs and huge crowds, a cornerstone of Goa's December party season.
Commemorates the death anniversary of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, drawing multi-faith pilgrims for Qawwalis.
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Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and major Vaishnavite shrines across India.
Celebrates the opening of Lord Vishnu's inner cosmic gate. Devotees pass through special temple portals for salvation.
RK Beach (Ramakrishna Mission Beach), Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh.
A high-energy beach carnival showcasing coastal Andhra tourism, regional seafood stalls, and indigenous folk crafts.
Pan-India, with extraordinary cultural density in West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab.
Welcomes the arrival of spring and honors Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, arts, and learning. Marked by yellow dresses and sweets.
Bikaner, Rajasthan.
A dazzling celebration of the desert camel, featuring fur-cutting competitions, camel dancing, races, and folk fire dances.
Ahmedabad (Sabarmati Riverfront), Surat, Vadodara, Jaipur, and across Gujarat
Marks the northward sky journey of the sun. The entire state moves to the rooftops for massive kite-flying duels.
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, with major events unfolding amidst the Sam Sand Dunes.
A vibrant celebration of Rajasthani desert culture in the Thar — camel races, turban-tying and moustache contests, folk music, and dunes under the full moon.
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu region
Marks the passing of winter peak and harvest of Rabi crops. Features massive night bonfires, dhol beats, Bhangra, and sweets.
