Many Indian festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates shift each year. Those below are confirmed where possible and indicative otherwise — always reconfirm on the official site before booking flights.
India is seeing a steady rise in visitors from the UK — according to India’s Ministry of Tourism, over 1.2 million arrived from Britain in 2024, making the UK one of India’s top inbound markets. More of these travellers now want the living culture beyond monuments and beaches, and there is no better window into it than India’s festivals. Here is a region-by-region guide — now with the dates, costs, transport, and booking links you need to actually plan a trip.
Before you plan
Visa: UK passport holders need an India e-Tourist Visa — apply online in advance at India e-Visa portal and check the current fee and validity.
Book early: Rann Utsav tent city, Pushkar desert camps, and Hornbill-period stays sell out months ahead — reserve accommodation as soon as dates are confirmed.
Travel smart: India is vast. Build your trip around one region rather than criss-crossing the country between festivals.
Which to choose for a two-week UK trip
Easiest first trip (and best for photography): the Pushkar Camel Fair (November), paired with Jaipur and the Rajasthan ‘Golden Triangle’ — one compact region, English widely spoken, and unforgettable desert imagery.
Easiest logistics: Rann Utsav (November–February) — an all-inclusive tent city run from a single base near Bhuj, with transfers, meals and activities packaged together.
Most distinctive: the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland (1–10 December) — the ‘festival of festivals’, deeply unique, though it needs more travel and entry permits.
Add-on for January: if you’re literary-minded, the Jaipur Literature Festival slots neatly into a Rajasthan itinerary.
At a Glance: Dates, Airports, Costs and Booking
Festival dates for 2026 or the next 2027 edition. ‘Free’ means no entry ticket, though travel, guides, and camps still cost. Reconfirm dates and fees on the official site before booking.
| Festival (region) | When (2026/27) | Nearest airport | Cost & booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahotsav — Agra (N) | 18–27 Feb (annual) | Agra; or Delhi (~3–4h) | Entry ~₹50; UP Tourism |
| Jaipur Literature Festival (N) | 14–18 Jan 2027 | Jaipur (10 km) | Free; register (JLF); paid premium passes |
| Khajuraho Dance Festival (N/C) | ~20–26 Feb | Khajuraho (via Delhi) | Small ticket; MP Tourism |
| Ganga Aarti — Varanasi (N) | Nightly, at sunset | Varanasi | Free; boat ~₹300–800 |
| Pushkar Camel Fair (W) | ~17–24 Nov 2026 | Jaipur (~140 km/3h) | Free; camps cost (Rajasthan Tourism) |
| Rann Utsav — Kutch (W) | 23 Oct 2026–4 Mar 2027 | Bhuj (~85 km/2h) | Packages from ~₹3–5k pp/night (Rann Utsav) |
| Goa Carnival / Shigmo (W) | Feb 2027 / Mar | Goa (GOI / GOX) | Free; Goa Tourism |
| Onam — Kerala (S) | 17–26 Aug 2026 | Kochi | Free; Kerala Tourism |
| Chennai Music Season (S) | Mid-Dec–mid-Jan | Chennai | Many free; some ticketed |
| Konark Dance Festival (S/E) | ~1–5 Dec | Bhubaneswar (~65 km) | Small ticket; Odisha Tourism |
| Durga Puja — Kolkata (E) | ~15–20 Oct 2026 | Kolkata | Free; West Bengal Tourism |
| Rath Yatra — Puri (E) | 26 Jun 2026 | Bhubaneswar (~60 km) | Free; Odisha Tourism |
| Tansen Music Festival — Gwalior (C) | December | Gwalior | Free; MP Tourism |
| Hornbill Festival — Nagaland (NE) | 1–10 Dec 2026 | Dimapur (~74 km/3h) | ~₹50–100/day + permit (Nagaland Tourism) |
Permit note: Nagaland requires an Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors (apply at ilp.nagaland.gov.in); foreign nationals register with the local Foreigners Registration Office on arrival — arrange this before you travel.
North India: Where History Meets Performance
Taj Mahotsav, Agra (18–27 February)
A 10-day fair beside the Taj Mahal celebrating crafts, cuisine, music and folk art — the perfect pairing with a Taj visit. Small entry fee; fly to Agra or drive ~3–4 hours from Delhi.
Jaipur Literature Festival (14–18 January 2027)
The “greatest literary show on Earth” gathers writers and thinkers at Hotel Clarks Amer. General entry is free but you must register online; premium “Friend of the Festival” passes cost extra. Jaipur airport is 10 km away.
Khajuraho Dance Festival (late February)
Classical dancers perform Kathak and Bharatanatyam against the 1,000-year-old temples. Small ticket; reach Khajuraho via Delhi or Varanasi.
Ganga Aarti, Varanasi (nightly, at sunset)
Priests perform synchronized lamp rituals on the Ganges; watching from a boat (around ₹300–800) is unforgettable. Varanasi has its own airport.
West India: Colours of Desert and Sea
Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan (~17–24 November 2026)
Thousands of decorated camels, contests, music and desert bazaars around Kartik Purnima — one of India’s most photogenic events. Free to attend; tented camps are bookable through Rajasthan Tourism and operators. Fly to Jaipur (~140 km, ~3 hours).
Rann Utsav, Gujarat (23 October 2026 – 4 March 2027)
The white salt desert of Kutch becomes a carnival of tents, crafts and folk music, magical under a full moon. All-inclusive tent-city packages start around ₹3,000–5,000 per person per night via Rann Utsav; fly to Bhuj (~85 km, ~2 hours), with transfers arranged.
Goa Carnival & Shigmo (February / March)
Goa’s pre-Lent Carnival bursts with Portuguese-influenced floats and parades; spring’s Shigmo adds Hindu-Goan colour. Free street events; fly into Goa.
South India: Rhythm, Faith and Classical Grace
Onam, Kerala (17–26 August 2026)
Kerala’s grand harvest festival — flower carpets, the Sadya feast, and snake-boat races. Free and joyfully inclusive; fly to Kochi.
Chennai December Music Season (mid-December–mid-January)
The global capital of Carnatic music, with hundreds of concerts across the city. Many are free; some sabha performances are ticketed. Fly to Chennai.
Konark Dance Festival, Odisha (early December)
India’s finest classical dancers on an open-air stage by the Sun Temple. Small ticket; fly to Bhubaneswar (~65 km).
East India: Festivals of Faith and Art
Durga Puja, Kolkata (~15–20 October 2026)
A UNESCO-listed, city-wide art exhibition of themed pandals, music, food and ritual. Free pandal-hopping; fly to Kolkata. Book stays early — the city fills up.
Rath Yatra, Puri (26 June 2026)
Three towering chariots carrying the deities are pulled through the streets by thousands — a spectacular display of devotion. Free; fly to Bhubaneswar (~60 km) and book Puri accommodation months ahead.
Central India: Music and Ancient Temples
Tansen Music Festival, Gwalior (December)
A free classical-music festival honouring the maestro Tansen, set against Gwalior Fort. Fly to Gwalior. (The Khajuraho Dance Festival, above, also sits at India’s cultural heart.)
Northeast India: Living Traditions and Tribal Spirit
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland (1–10 December 2026)
Nagaland’s tribes gather at Kisama Heritage Village for ten days of dance, craft, music and food — the “festival of festivals.” Entry is about ₹50–100 a day; the nearest airport is Dimapur (~74 km / 2.5–3 hours to Kohima, then 12 km to Kisama). Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit and foreign nationals must register locally, so plan permits and stays well ahead. Details via Nagaland Tourism.
Tips for UK Travellers Attending Indian Festivals
- Plan around the lunar calendar. Confirm exact dates on official sites early, and book hotels months ahead for Rann Utsav, Pushkar, and Hornbill.
- Stay in one region. Combine nearby festivals rather than rushing across the country.
- Dress respectfully. Modest clothing is appreciated at religious and cultural sites.
- Stay hydrated. Rajasthan and Gujarat are warm and dry — carry water and sunscreen.
- Use local guides. They add context and help you read the traditions behind the performances.
- Sort your visa and permits early. Apply for your India e-Visa in advance, and arrange the Nagaland permit before any Hornbill trip.
Why It’s Worth It
For travellers from the UK, India’s cultural festivals are not just events but living stories that connect people, art, and history — whether you’re watching dancers move before a thousand-year-old temple or walking lantern-lit streets during Durga Puja. Plan your trip around one of them, book the practical pieces early, and you’ll take home far more than photos.