Festival calendar
India's festival calendar can shape a trip as much as the weather does — some are worth timing a visit around, others are worth avoiding if you'd rather skip the crowds. Every entry here links back to the destination that celebrates it.
53 festivals
Hampi Utsav (Vijaya Utsav)Hampi, KarnatakaJanuaryWinter CarnivalManali, Himachal PradeshJanuaryUttarayani Mela influenceMussoorie, UttarakhandJanuaryPongalOoty, Tamil NaduJanuaryMaha ShivaratriGokarna, KarnatakaFeb–MarJaisalmer Desert FestivalJaisalmer, RajasthanFebruaryGoa CarnivalGoa, GoaFeb–MarLosar (Tibetan New Year)Darjeeling, West BengalFeb–MarGulmarg Winter GamesGulmarg, Jammu & KashmirFeb–MarLosar (Tibetan/Sikkimese New Year)Gangtok, SikkimFeb–MarVirupaksha Car FestivalHampi, KarnatakaMar–AprMewar FestivalUdaipur, RajasthanMar–AprInternational Yoga FestivalRishikesh, UttarakhandMarchTulip FestivalSrinagar, Jammu & KashmirMarch–AprilTulip Festival (nearby Srinagar)Gulmarg, Jammu & KashmirMarch–AprilBaisakhiAmritsar, PunjabAprilGanga DussehraRishikesh, UttarakhandMay–JunShimla Summer FestivalShimla, Himachal PradeshMay–JunOoty Summer FestivalOoty, Tamil NaduMayHemis FestivalLeh, LadakhJune–JulyGanesh ChaturthiGokarna, KarnatakaAug–SepNehru Trophy Boat RaceAlleppey, KeralaAugustOnamAlleppey, KeralaAug–SepOnamMunnar, KeralaAug–SepGanesh Chaturthi at the fort templeRanthambore, RajasthanAug–SepNehru Trophy Boat RaceKumarakom, KeralaAugustOnamKumarakom, KeralaAug–SepNanda Devi MelaNainital, UttarakhandAug–SepPang LhabsolGangtok, SikkimAug–SepLadakh FestivalLeh, LadakhSeptemberKaveri SankramanaCoorg, KarnatakaOctoberWinter safari season openingRanthambore, RajasthanOctoberKullu DussehraManali, Himachal PradeshOctPushkar Camel FairPushkar, RajasthanOct–NovKartik PurnimaPushkar, RajasthanOct–NovPuttari (Huthri)Coorg, KarnatakaNov–DecCoffee harvest seasonChikmagalur, KarnatakaNov–JanDev DeepawaliVaranasi, Uttar PradeshNovemberGanga MahotsavVaranasi, Uttar PradeshNovemberGuru Nanak GurpurabAmritsar, PunjabNovDarjeeling Tea & Tourism FestivalDarjeeling, West BengalNov–DecShillong Cherry Blossom FestivalShillong, MeghalayaNovemberWangala FestivalShillong, MeghalayaNovemberDatta JayantiChikmagalur, KarnatakaDecemberMaru MahotsavJaisalmer, RajasthanWinterShilpgram UtsavUdaipur, RajasthanDecemberSunburn FestivalGoa, GoaDecemberWinter CarnivalShimla, Himachal PradeshDecemberMussoorie Winter Line CarnivalMussoorie, UttarakhandDecemberChristmas & New YearNainital, UttarakhandDecemberIsland Tourism FestivalHavelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar IslandsDecember–JanuaryNeelakurinji bloomMunnar, KeralaEvery 12 years (next ~2030)Eid celebrationsSrinagar, Jammu & KashmirVaries (lunar calendar)