Don’t Miss These 41 Festivals Of India from January to June 2026!

With its diverse cultures, India is not limited to a handful of festivals. Every state, every district, every corner celebrates something special every day. And a list of festivals of India from January to June 2026 is collated observed during the first half of the year (the whole year would have been way too long!!) so that it provides travellers with ample time to prepare an itinerary to attend most of them, if not all!

The princely state founded by Rao Bika in 1488 CE was one of my favourites during my Rajasthan travel. This peaceful and well-managed city might not be on every tourist’s list who visits Rajasthan but is equally endearing. And now the city of Bikaner is all set to host the annual Bikaner Camel Festival!!! The festival will be held to celebrate Thar desert’s lifeline – “the ship of the desert”, an initiative that has been taken by the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.

Where: Bikaner, Rajasthan

When: 9th January – 11th January 2026

Lohri is celebrated by lighting bonfires, eating festive food, dancing, and collecting gifts, marking the start of the harvest season.

Where: Punjab and some other parts of North India

When: 13th January 2026

The International Kite Festival in Gujarat marks the commencement of the harvest festival of Makar Sankranti when winter slowly starts to turn into summer. Celebrated by flying colourful kites the festival attracts a lot of visitors across the states.

Where: Ahmedabad, Gujrat

When: 10th January – 14th January 2026

Celebrated amidst the stunning dunes of Thar Desert, the festival witnessed the transition from winters into the blossoming flavour.

Where: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

When: 30^th January – 1st February 2026

Highlights: Turban tying, Ghoomar dance competitions, mustache competitions

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The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival that was founded in 1999 has become one of the biggest street art festivals in the country, drawing huge number of visitors not just from Mumbai but all over the country and the world. The funds raised from the festival every year go towards restoration efforts undertaken by the Association.

Where: Kala Ghoda Fort, Mumbai

When: 31^st January – 8th February

Organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs the Mela calls at least 20 countries & all the states of India for participation.

Where: Faridabad, Delhi

When: 31^st January – 15th February 2026

A week-long gala festival that is hosted in Khajuraho, encourages dancers and artists who perform different cultural dance forms like Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniattam.

Where: Chitragupta and Vishwanatha Temples in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

When: 20th February – 26th February

Introduced by Portuguese settlers 500 years back, but originally celebrated as by Catholics to mark the start of Lent – 40 days of abstinence before Easter, this four-day Goa carnival is a pre-Mardi Gras revelry that starts from Panjim, travelling through Margao, villages of Vasco and then Mapusa.

Where: Goa

When: 14th – 17th February 2026

Although celebrated across India, the grand event is held in one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain that marks the union Lord Shiva and Shakti.

Where: Across India but unique celebrations occur in Ujjain, Guwahati, Haridwar, Srisailam, Junagadh and Khajuraho

When: 15th February 2026

Highlights: An all-night prayer, chants, the ambience of positive energy.

Incredible performances by over 150 artists, performers, composers and musicians who speak the language of music.

Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan

When: 6th February – 8th February 2026

Timing: 8 am – 10 pm

Also known as Gyalpo Losar in Tibetan meaning “King’s New Year”, this festival is celebrated in to mark the ceremonies that represent the struggle between good and evil.

Where: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh

When: 17th February – 4^th March 2026

New Year’s Eve (Guthuk): February 17, 2026 (Tibetan Dec 29).

Losar (New Year’s Day): February 18, 2026 (Tibetan Jan 1).

First Day of Losar: February 19, 2026 (Tibetan Jan 2).

Butter Lamp Festival: March 4, 2026 (Tibetan 15th of the first month)

Highlights: Colored flags on top of the houses, monasteries, and hills, everyone dressed in their traditional best, offerings at monasteries, fragrant smoke from juniper, artemisia, and other herbs, chanting slogans, incense, and the traditional noodle soup Guthuk.

The land of Tigers, Alwar is also the gateway of Rajasthan and celebrates Alwar Festival to promote the culture of the region.

Where: Alwar, Rajasthan

When: To be Announced

Organised within the premises of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, the World Sufi festival get to witness the likes of some of the greatest musical minds in the world and not just India!

Where: Nagaur & Jodhpur, Rajasthan

When: 13th February – 15th February

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Organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), this two-day festival transforms Elephanta Caves into an open-air auditorium where renowned dancers perform under the starry sky.

Where: Elephants Caves, Mumbai

When: To be Announced

Lathmar Holi which is celebrated in a unique style in the Barsana and Nandgaon towns of Mathura involves women playfully shoving bamboo sticks to chase away men!!

Where: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

When: 25^th – 27^th February

The annual festival at the Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple is celebrated for two days with extensive display of folk art and parade.

Where: Palakkad, Kerala

When: To be announced (usually celebrated between late February to mid-March (Kumbham month))

Hightlights: Kalamezhuthu Pattu – images of the Goddesses are drawn on the floor using different colourful natural powders, Kathakali and Chakiyarkoothu performances, the folk-art form of Tholpavakoothu (Shadow Puppetry), Kaalavela (bull effigy) and Kuthiravela (horse effigy) showcasing traditions. And a procession of around 21 elephants at the end of the event.

Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of India, Taj Mahotsav that started in 1992 is dedicated to the promotion of our country’s rich art and craft, culture, cuisine, dance and music and acknowledges the brilliance of their craft.

Where: Near Taj Mahal, Agra

When: 18th February – 27th February

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The city of Hyderabad turns vibrant during the Deccan festival spanning over five-days with a riot of colours, music, spices and fairs. Organized by the tourism Department of Andhra Pradesh, the festival is celebrated to keep the culture and tradition of Deccan alive.  Deccan Festival where you’ll find a rich collection of beautiful pearls, jewellery, accessories, and multi-coloured bangles.

Where: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

When: To Be Announced

Celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy after the completion of their arduous task of jhum cultivation where they clear the forests, Chapchar Kut is among the most popular festivals of Mizoram.

Where: Mizoram

When: To be announced

An annual three-day affair which is a celebrated at a grand scale in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab brings the brotherhood of bravery to the forefront. The martial arts procession is led by the Gurudwara’s Nishan Sahibs.

Where: Punjab

When: 4th March – 6th March 2026

A prevalent “festival of oracles” or Matho Nagrang festival is celebrated in Ladakh where deities take over laymen to make predictions. The oracles or ronstang take over the bodies of two monks who meditate for months before being chosen as the ones who would make predictions for the village and people of Ladakh.

Where: Leh Ladakh

When: 2nd March – 3rd March 2026

This 10-day annual festival upholds the spirit of togetherness and friendship, where the Apatani tribes of Ziro prays for better cultivation and protection of crops that is their livelihood.

Where: Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

When: To be announced

Highlights: Local rites, rituals and prayers, singing and dancing competitions.

The Mewar Festival is an annual celebration that marks the foundation of the grand city of Udaipur and also to welcome the advent of spring. The Mewar festival is considered as the second World living Heritage festival of India.

Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan

When: 21st March – 23rd March 2026

Highlights: The festive look of the city, beauty, traditions and culture of the region

Holi is otherwise celebrated as a five-day cultural event called Shigmo in the Konkan region of Goa. This festival celebrates the vibrancy of colours.

Where: Panjim, Goa

When: To be announced

A water carnival, Attuvela Mahotsavam is celebrated with the the worship the Goddess of Kodungalloor with her sister where the replica of their shrines are garlanded and illuminated as they float across the river accompanied by an entourage of small canoes that are exquisitely decorated, with the temple percussion music resounding in the background.

Where: Kerala

When: To be announced

The festival is associated with local Goddess temples where the magic healers of Kerala who would heal the chronic ailment of people through their dances. The fest comprises a rhythmic synchronization between heavy drumming and harmonious folklore music. The use of several masks etches the God of death, Yakshi, Pakshi, and Bhairavi recalls the fundamentals of Hindu mythology.

Where: Kerala

When: 20th March – 30th March 2026

Spread over a vast stretch of 30 hectares in Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar celebrates the bloom of over a million tulips that is expected to witness the blooming of more than 62 varieties of tulips this year. This is the famous Tulip Festival of Srinagar.

Where: Srinagar, Kashmir

When: 29^th March – 5th April 2026

The onset of spring is marked by one of Khasi communities’ biggest festivals – Shad Suk Mynsiem, an agrarian festival, that celebrates the cycle of new beginning and rebirth and new seedlings are planted.

Where: Meghalaya

When: To be announced

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Bohag Bihu, an Assamese festival is celebrated for a period of seven-days to welcome the onset of spring and the Assamese New Year.

Where: Assam

When: 14th April – 20th April 2026

Highlights: Folk dance of Bihu, traditional attire.

An agricultural festival celebrated by the Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh asking for wealth, good health and prosperity to everyone in the community.

Where: Arunachal Pradesh

When: 5th April 2026

Celebrated by the valiant headhunter Konyak tribes in Nagaland, Aoling festival marks the beginning of spring ever year.

Where: Nagaland

When: 1st April – 6th April 2026

A festival which lasts 15-days where Lord Vishnu rides on a golden horse to Madurai for the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareshwar.

Where: Madurai, Tamil Nadu

When: To be announced

Spanning over two centuries, the celebration of festival of festivals – Thrissur Pooram is the most famous of all the Pooram festivals that was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Cochin State, in the late eighteenth century.

Where: Thrissur, Kerala

When: 26^th April 2026

Highlights: Extant percussion performances over 36 hours starting at 6 am and extending till noon the next day.

According to the Hindu calendar, the birth anniversary of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore is celebrated on 25th day of Baisakh every year that falls on or around 07th of May on the Gregorian calendar. His contribution to the field of literature is celebrated with numerous cultural events like dance, drama, elocution and poetry, where his life’s work is brought to the forefront.

Where: Santiniketan, West Bengal

When: 9th May 2026

The two-day festival celebrating Lord Mahasu who is the deity of the region.

Where: Himachal Pradesh

When: To be announced

Marking the birth, enlightenment and Death of Gautam Buddha, Buddha Purnima is grandly celebrated in Bodh Gaya with great enthusiasm.

Where: Bodhgaya, Bihar

When: 1st May 2026

Highlights: Chants, rituals.

Celebrated on the 10th day when Goddess Ganga had descended from heaven and stepped foot on Earth.

Where: Uttarakhand

When: 25th May 2026

The five-day annual carnival hosted either in May or June in Shimla welcomes the advent of summer and to thank gods for the harvest of the season.

Where: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

When: To be announced

Ambubachi, the annual day which celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. The temple doors remain closed for three days and when on the fourth day it opens, devotees are allowed to enter and pray after the Goddess is bathed.

Where: Guwahati, Assam

When: 22nd – 25^th June 2026

Age-old tradition steeped in faith, Rath Yatra is held in the sleepy sea-side town of Puri (also called Purushottam Dham), situated in the eastern state of Orissa which transforms into one of the largest religious gatherings in the world – Rath Yatra!

Where: Puri, Odisha

When: To be announced

Organised at the beginning of monsoon, the festival of Sao Joao is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, who according to Christian texts had jumped with joy inside his mother’s womb when she was informed of Jesus’ birth.

Where: Goa

When: To be announced

Festivals are a great way to bond over cultural contrasts that makes India so unique, so vibrant and beautiful so why not “Save The Dates” and attend them all! I am trying to wrap my head around which ones would be feasible for me to attend.

Are you?