Top 10 Must-Visit Carnivals in India 2025 | Unmissable Festivities

India’s rich cultural heritage shines through its vibrant and colourful festivals. With each region celebrating unique traditions, India hosts a wide array of events, including state-wise festivals, national celebrations, religious festivals, and seasonal events like the autumn festivals. With so many different cultures, traditions, and religions, it’s like every day in India is a reason to celebrate. The joy, colors, and energy of these festivals reflect the true essence of India’s traditions. Experiencing these festivities is more than just fun—it’s creating memories that stay with you forever.

Here’s a list of the top 10 most exciting carnivals in India for 2025 that you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Check out these festivals before you plan your next trip:

1. Konark Festival

• Date: February 1st to 3rd, 2025
• Venue: Natya Mandir, Konark, Bhubaneswar

The Konark Festival, held every February in Odisha, is a grand celebration of traditional Indian dance and music. Set against the stunning backdrop of the World Heritage Site, Konark Temple, this festival brings together performances of classical dance forms like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Kuchipudi. It’s a must-visit for anyone who loves music and art.

Apart from the mesmerizing dance performances, you can explore exhibitions showcasing intricate Odissi temple sculptures, revealing the artistry of ancient craftsmen. The crafts fair is another highlight, where you can see local artisans displaying their skills and creativity.

2. Goa Carnival

• Date: February 22nd to 25th, 2025
• Venue: Goa

The Goa Carnival is one of the most anticipated events in the state, attracting both local and international visitors. During this time, the streets of Goa burst into life with lively decorations, music, and dance. You’ll see vibrant parades featuring dancers, acrobats, clowns, drummers, fire-eaters, and other performers, creating a joyous atmosphere.

One of the main highlights of this carnival is its delicious food! The Goa Carnival is a celebration of local flavors, with mouth-watering dishes that you won’t want to miss. It’s all about having a good time and making the most of every moment.

3. Taj Mahotsav

• Dates: February 18th to February 27th, 2025
• Venue: Shilpgram, Agra

Taj Mahotsav is a spectacular festival held every February in Agra, organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department. This 10-day event celebrates the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the rich heritage of Agra. It’s a vibrant gathering where dancers, artisans, craftsmen, and performers from across India showcase their incredible talents. With stunning folk dances, soulful ghazals, and captivating cultural performances, all set against the beautifully illuminated backdrop of the Taj Mahal, this festival truly comes alive.

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One of the main attractions of the Taj Mahotsav is its food festival, which offers a delightful culinary experience. Expect to savor traditional Mughlai dishes and other regional delicacies prepared by expert chefs from different parts of India. If you’re a food lover, this event is a must-visit.

• Entry Fees:
  • Per Adult: ₹50
  • Kids (up to 5 years): Free
  • Kids (5 to 10 years): ₹10
  • Foreign Tourists: Free

The entry ticket includes access to cultural performances and can be purchased at the venue.

4. Jaisalmer Desert Festival

• Dates: February 7th to February 9th, 2025
• Venue: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a mesmerizing three-day celebration that takes place every February in the golden city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. This festival is a beautiful showcase of Rajasthani culture, with participants dressed in traditional attire, performing live folk dances, Gair and fire dances, camel races, and other stunning acrobatic shows. It’s a colorful display that attracts both local and international visitors.

Some of the most entertaining events at this festival include the “Mr. Desert” competition, turban-tying contests, and the popular longest moustache challenge, making it a treat for everyone to witness.

As the night falls, the festival becomes even more magical with live folk music and bonfires that create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s an experience filled with soulful music under the starry skies, making the Jaisalmer Desert Festival a true cultural delight.

5. Puri Rath Yatra

• Start Date: 23rd June 2025
• End Date (Bahuda Jatra): 2nd July 2025
• Venue: Puri, Odisha

Puri Rath Yatra is one of the grandest festivals in India, celebrated with immense devotion and joy in the city of Puri, Odisha. The festival kicks off with a grand procession featuring beautifully decorated chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and his sister Goddess Subhadra. These chariots are pulled through the streets to the Shri Gundicha Temple, where the deities reside for nine days. On the ninth day, known as the ‘Bahuda Jatra,’ the deities make their way back to the Jagannath Temple with the same enthusiasm and devotion.

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During the Rath Yatra, the streets of Puri come alive with vibrant colors and festive energy as millions of devotees from around the world gather to be part of this sacred event. The sheer scale and beauty of this celebration make it a must-visit festival in India.

6. Pushkar Fair

• Dates: November 22nd to November 30th, 2025
• Venue: Pushkar, Rajasthan

The Pushkar Fair, held every November in the holy city of Pushkar, Rajasthan, is one of India’s most captivating festivals. Known as one of the largest cattle fairs in the world, the event attracts traders, farmers, and visitors from all corners of the globe. It’s a lively celebration filled with camel races, folk dances, acrobatic performances, magic shows, and colorful puppet shows that showcase the rich traditions of Rajasthan.

The Pushkar Fair is more than just a cattle fair—it’s an experience that immerses you in the essence of an authentic Indian Mela. Women dressed in bright traditional attire, children enjoying big wheel rides, street food stalls, and the overall festive vibe make it a place like no other. You can also enjoy sand dune camel rides and stay in traditional camps, making this fair an unforgettable experience for all travelers.

7. Kutch Rann Utsav

• Dates: October 28, 2025, to February 23, 2026
• Venue: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

The Kutch Rann Utsav is a vibrant and colorful festival held in the vast white desert of Kutch, Gujarat. This three-month-long celebration transforms the serene white landscape into a lively canvas showcasing Gujarati culture and traditions. From live music and folk dance performances to camel safaris and the delicious local cuisine, the Rann Utsav offers an endless list of cultural experiences.

Visitors can stay in luxurious tents under the moonlit sky, enjoy bonfires, spot migratory birds, and watch skilled artisans create beautiful designs using traditional ‘Bandhni’ and ‘Batik’ techniques. The beauty and grandeur of Rann Utsav make it an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression on every traveler.

8. Temple Festivals of Kerala

• Dates: Celebrated throughout the year
• Venue: Kerala

Kerala’s temple festivals are a grand celebration of the state’s rich cultural and religious heritage. With numerous ancient temples across the region, these festivals occur year-round, starting from February and continuing through April. Each festival is a tribute to the deities worshipped in these temples and is marked by grand processions featuring beautifully adorned elephants, drummers, vibrant fireworks, and traditional Kerala music.

These temple festivals also include a variety of exciting events like elephant parades, boat races, cultural performances, and traditional musical shows. The sight of people dressed in colorful traditional attire and the energy of the festivities create an unforgettable experience that truly reflects Kerala’s spirit.

9. Hemis Gompa Festival

• Dates: June 30th to July 1st, 2025
• Venue: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh

The Hemis Gompa Festival is one of the oldest and most celebrated festivals in Ladakh, held at the stunning Hemis Monastery. This festival is of great religious significance to Buddhists, as it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. During this grand celebration, locals dress in vibrant traditional attire and gather to enjoy the festivities with great enthusiasm.

The highlight of the Hemis Gompa Festival is the captivating masked dance performances by Lamas, accompanied by traditional music played on instruments like longhorns, trumpets, and drums. If you’re keen to witness a unique blend of spiritual dance and music, the Hemis Gompa Festival is a perfect choice.

10. Ellora Aurangabad Festival

• Date: January 1st, 2025
• Venue: Soneri Mahal, Aurangabad, Maharashtra

The Ellora Aurangabad Festival is a grand celebration of music and dance held annually near the historic Ellora Caves in Maharashtra. This event brings together renowned artists and dancers from all across India, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage. The festival is a vibrant mix of live instrumental and vocal music performances, as well as mesmerizing classical dance shows.

Beyond music and dance, the Ellora Festival also serves as a platform to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship of Maharashtra’s artisans. Experiencing this celebration near the ancient 1400-year-old Ellora Caves is truly a memorable event that leaves a lasting impression.

Conclusion

India’s festivals are more than just celebrations—they are a true symbol of unity that brings together diverse cultures and traditions. From Diwali, Gurpurab, Eid, to Christmas, every festival in India is celebrated with the same joy and enthusiasm.

Now that you know about the most popular festivals in India for 2025, you can plan your year to be filled with these exciting carnivals. Which festival are you most excited to attend and why? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.