India is often called the land of festivals, and your 2026 Holiday Calendar promises an extraordinary year of celebrations, cultural spectacles, spiritual gatherings, and regional fairs.
Whether you are planning travel with family, exploring diverse traditions, or searching for memorable festivals to attend, this guide highlights some of the most vibrant Indian events throughout 2026 — from ancient river rituals and desert fairs to colorful carnivals and contemporary music festivals.
Here’s a month-by-month look at the key festivals you can attend in India in 2026.
Holiday Calendar
Plan your 2026 Holiday Calendar in India and experience a year filled with vibrant festivals, cultural spectacles, spiritual gatherings, and unforgettable celebrations across the country.
January – Jaipur Literature Festival & Magh Mela: Culture and Pilgrimage
Jaipur Literature Festival (January 15–19, 2026)
The Jaipur Literature Festival is one of the world’s largest literary events, drawing thinkers, authors, and cultural icons from India and abroad. Renowned for its lively debates, book readings, panel discussions, poetry sessions, and Q&A forums, the festival turns Jaipur’s historic Diggi Palace into a meeting ground for literature lovers. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in global ideas and contemporary Indian thought.
The 19th edition is expected to showcase authors from multiple continents, with sessions in English as well as regional Indian languages, making it accessible to both domestic and international visitors. (source: Hindustan Times)
Magh Mela (January 3–February 15, 2026)
Magh Mela is one of India’s oldest and most significant spiritual gatherings, held at the sacred confluence (Triveni Sangam) in Prayagraj. Devotees come to take ritual dips in the holy Ganges and Yamuna, believing such ablutions cleanse sins and bring spiritual merit. Officials expect millions of people to attend in early 2026, and authorities have emphasized equality by removing VIP protocols on major bathing days.
Beyond its religious significance, Magh Mela is an economic lifeline for local communities, including artisans and service providers, especially rural women and boatmen who engage directly with pilgrims.
February – Goa Carnival & Surajkund International Crafts Mela
Goa Carnival (February 14–17, 2026)
One of India’s most joyous cultural festivals, the Goa Carnival celebrates with colorful parades, masquerades, floats, vibrant street music, and dance. Rooted in Portuguese tradition, the Carnival brings a festive, inclusive spirit to towns like Panaji, Margao, and Mapusa, turning the coastal state into a stage of celebration.
Surajkund International Crafts Mela (January 31–February 15, 2026)
The Surajkund Mela in Faridabad celebrates India’s rich handicraft traditions with over 1,000 stalls featuring craftsmanship from across the country — and in 2026, Egypt is the partner nation. Visitors can explore regional textiles, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, and traditional foods, alongside folk performances, fashion shows, and evening cultural programs.
March – Holi: Festival of Colors
Holi (March 3–4, 2026)
Often called the Festival of Colors, Holi marks the arrival of spring with exuberant celebration. People throw colored powders, dance to music, and share sweets, especially in places like Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana — towns with deep Hindu mythological roots. The festival is both a seasonal celebration and a metaphor for unity and joy.
Celebrations are not just visual but communal. Friends and strangers alike smear vibrant hues, creating unforgettable memories in India’s streets and ghats.
April – Hemis Festival & Eid al-Fitr
Hemis Festival (June 2026)
Held in the remote landscapes of Ladakh, the Hemis Festival is a vibrant Buddhist celebration at the Hemis Gompa monastery. It features masked dances, traditional music, and spectacular cultural performances under the Himalayas, honoring Guru Padmasambhava.
Eid al-Fitr (April 2026)
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, observed with communal prayers, festive meals, and charity. Indian cities with large Muslim populations — such as Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata — come alive with biryanis, kebabs, sweets like seviyan, and family gatherings.
May – International Flower Festival & Buddha Purnima
International Flower Festival (May 2026)
Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital, hosts the International Flower Festival every May, displaying rare and exotic orchids, rhododendrons, and bamboos. It’s a visual feast for plant lovers and a serene break for travelers looking for beauty and tranquillity amid the hills.
Buddha Purnima (May 1, 2026)
Buddha Purnima celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha and is observed with peace walks, prayers, and visits to Buddhist monasteries, especially in regions like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Ladakh.
June – Yamuna Pushkaram & Sikh Celebrations
Yamuna Pushkaram (June 2–13, 2026)
A rare festival that occurs once every 12 years, Yamuna Pushkaram invites pilgrims to take a sacred dip in the Yamuna River to accrue spiritual merit. The next observance begins in June 2026, drawing devotees from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and beyond.
Ram Temple 2nd Anniversary (Dec-Jan transition)
While falling partially outside traditional 2026 dates, the Ram Temple’s anniversary celebrations in Ayodhya — stretching from late December into early January — reflect India’s broader cultural and religious calendar, with rituals and cultural programs bridging year-end festivities into the new year.
July – Hemis Cultural Extravaganza
The Hemis Festival continues its cultural reign into early July, making it a must-visit for those interested in Himalayan culture, masked dances, and spirituality against the dramatic backdrop of Ladakh’s valleys.
August – Onam & Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Onam (August 21–31, 2026)
In Kerala, Onam celebrates the mythical return of King Mahabali with traditional feasts (Onasadya), floral carpets (Pookalam), and snake boat races on Alappuzha’s Punnamada Lake. It’s a week-long harvest festival full of community spirit and cultural expression.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race (August, annually)
Held on Punnamada Lake, this spectacular boat race features synchronized teams rowing majestic snake boats (chundan vallams) to traditional songs and cheers. It’s one of Kerala’s most thrilling sporting and cultural spectacles.
September – Ziro Music Festival & Ganesh Chaturthi
Ziro Music Festival (late September, date TBA)
The Ziro Music Festival in Arunachal Pradesh’s lush valley is India’s premier indie music event. Featuring rock, folk, electronic, and world music, this festival blends indigenous culture with contemporary sounds — a treat for music lovers and cultural explorers.
Ganesh Chaturthi (September 14, 2026)
Across India, particularly in Mumbai, Pune, and Gujarat, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha with grand processions, music, dance, and immersion rituals. Immense clay idols march through streets amid vibrant crowds, culminating in joyful visarjan (immersion) ceremonies.
October – Dussehra & Durga Puja
Dussehra (October 20, 2026)
Dussehra commemorates the victory of good over evil with dramatic Ramlila performances, effigies of Ravana set aflame, and processions across India. It’s a time of reflection, dance, and community celebration.
Durga Puja (late October 2026)
In Kolkata and throughout eastern India, Durga Puja is a pinnacle of cultural expression, with elaborately crafted idols and pandals (temporary tableau stages), traditional music, and night-long festivities. The celebration — recently recognized as intangible cultural heritage — brings art, devotion, and community together.
November – Diwali & Pushkar Camel Fair
Diwali (November 8, 2026)
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, illuminates India in golden hues. Homes, streets, and temples glow with diyas (oil lamps), fireworks light up skies, and sweets and gifts circulate among friends and families. From Varanasi to Jaipur, cities come alive in celebration.
Pushkar Camel Fair (November 18–26, 2026)
In Pushkar, Rajasthan, thousands of camels and livestock are traded in a cultural festival of desert heritage. Folk music, desert safaris, and competitions add a unique flavor to the region’s calendar, attracting global visitors and cultural enthusiasts alike.
December – Hornbill Festival & Year-End Celebrations
Hornbill Festival (December 1–10, 2026)
Often called the “Festival of Festivals,” the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland showcases tribal cultures through music, dance, crafts, and indigenous sports. It’s one of India’s most unique cultural celebrations, blending age-old traditions with vibrant community spirit.
Christmas & New Year’s Celebrations (December 25–31, 2026)
India’s Christmas and New Year holidays — especially in major cities including Goa, Mumbai, and Delhi — feature festive markets, midnight mass services, beach parties, and cultural programs that bridge the year into a fresh, vibrant new one.
Beyond the Big Names: Regional Gems and University Fests
2026 also brings a host of regional festivals and cultural events beyond the national spotlight:
- Mithibai Kshitij – A major college cultural festival in Mumbai (January 8–11, 2026) that draws thousands of students and performers.
- Goa State Festivals – Including Sao Joao, Shigmo, Ganesh Chaturthi, and local celebrations across the year.
These smaller events enrich the travel calendar with local music, cuisine, and traditions.
Planning Tips for Travelers and Families
When planning your 2026 festival calendar:
- Book early: Major festivals like Goa Carnival, Durga Puja, and Pushkar Fair draw tourists early.
- Consider public transport and local closures: Immersion processions (e.g., Ganesh Chaturthi) often lead to road closures and traffic diversions.
- Cultural etiquette matters: Understanding local customs, dress codes, and rituals enriches the experience.
Combining festival visits with culinary exploration and historical sightseeing can make India’s 2026 calendar a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Summary
India’s vibrant festivals in 2026 reflect its rich cultural tapestry — from literary fests and desert carnivals to spiritual river events and tribal heritage showcases. Whether you’re a domestic traveler, international tourist, or local family planning vacations and holidays, these festivals offer moments of joy, tradition, and discovery.
From Magh Mela’s spiritual calling and Goa’s carnival parades to Diwali’s luminous celebrations and Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, 2026 promises a festival-filled year that celebrates India’s diversity and cultural heritage.
