Top 10 Festivals in India 2026: Diwali, Holi, Elephant God Festival

India is a land of festivals, where every season brings a reason to celebrate. From streets filled with color and music to families gathering for prayers and feasts, festivals can take you to get much more authentic experiences in India. Here we listed the best 10 festivals in India to experience, check out to see if your trip lines up with their dates and what you can expect.

Diwali (Nov 8, 2026)

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is the biggest event among all of India's festivals across the whole country. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Typically, Diwali falls in October or November according to the Hindu calendar. And in 2026, the celebration will be from November 6th to 11th.

During Diwali, homes and streets are decorated with specially made oil lamps (diyas) and lighting lanterns. You may expect Indians to create a special, colorful painting called Rangoli on the grounds of streets and public spaces. The paintings are fantastically made of flowers, chalk, and flour in different geometric patterns.

Where are the best places to experience Diwali in India? You will find festivities everywhere, but Varanasi and Jaipur truly stand out. In Varanasi, you can see the breathtaking setting of Ganga Aarti. And the pink city of Jaipur makes the festive atmosphere much more magical.

Note: Diwali is family-centered, and many businesses close. Be sure to plan your travel and accommodations in advance.

Holi (Mar 4, 2026)

Holi, the Festival of Colors, is one of the most joyful festivals in India. It takes place on the full moon day in March (in 2026, that is March 4).

The most exciting tradition of Holi is the colorful feast of playing fair games. Thousands of people gather in open areas, throwing dry colorful powders and water-filled balloons or taking a shot with water guns at each other. The magical scene also comes with traditional Indian dances and music.

You can head to Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, or Vrindavan to be a real participant. This Indian spring festival is also a time for local traditional snacks. Gujiya (sweet dumplings), malpua (pancakes), thandai (a flavored milk drink), and more Holi delicacies are worth a try.

Holi can get messy with crowds, powders, and water. Here are a few important tips for you:

• Protect your eyes with sunglasses and stick to organic colors to avoid skin irritation.
• Leave your valuables safely at the hotel.
• If you are seeking a more private and comfortable Holi experience, Odynovo can help arrange it for you.

Dussehra (Oct 20, 2026)

Dussehra, celebrated on the 10th day of the Hindu lunar month, marks the victory of good over evil and Lord Rama's triumph over the demon king Ravana. In 2026, the festival falls on October 20.

The day begins with prayers and offerings at homes and temples in India, but the real excitement happens outdoors. The highlight is the grand parade where giant effigies of Ravana are set ablaze in the evening, symbolizing the destruction of evil. In many places, you can also watch lively Ramlila performances, where actors bring the epic Ramayana to life.

For something extra special, head to Kolkata, West Bengal, during Durga Puja, which often overlaps with Dussehra. Here, beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Durga are paraded through the streets, then immersed in the Hooghly River with music, dance, and chanting.

This festival in India also marks the countdown to Diwali, so arriving early helps you catch the best of the celebrations.

Navratri (Mar 19-27 & Oct 11-20, 2026)

Goddess Durga

Navratri is a major Hindu festival celebrated across Northern and Eastern India, honoring Goddess Durga. There are two Navratris each year: Chaitra Navratri in spring and Sharada Navratri in autumn.

• Chaitra Navratri (Spring) runs from March 19-27, 2026, with special pujas and prayers.
• Sharada Navratri (Autumn) is more widely celebrated, beginning October 11-20. It will last nine days, ending with Dussehra on the 10th day.

During Navratri, devotees often fast and visit temples to pray. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, you will see the energetic Garba and Dandiya Raas dances, with women in colorful chaniya cholis playfully striking men with sticks while dancing in circles to lively music.

In Kolkata, the festival shines with Durga Puja, where intricately decorated idols of Goddess Durga are paraded and eventually immersed in rivers, creating a stunning visual spectacle.

Ugadi (Mar 19, 2026)

Ugadi, the Hindu New Year in India, is celebrated in late March to early April (2026 is March 19th). It is mainly popular in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

Local people will apply body paint, conduct sacrificial ceremonies, or visit temples to listen to "panchanga sravanam" (the recitation of the astrological calendar). Hindu women will draw geometric patterns with flowers, powder, rice, or sand in front of their homes, called "rangoli". You can also try to draw complex designs or themes. Don't forget to savor the "Ugadi chutney"! The specialty food blends six flavors, such as the sourness of fresh mangoes and the sweetness of dates, symbolizing the various tastes of life.

In the western states of Maharashtra and Goa, it's known as the Gudi Padwa. You can experience various rituals to welcome the new year. The "Gudi flag" will be erected at the doorstep, a bright sari tied to the top, and an upside-down silver or copper pot on top.

Pongal (Jan 14-17, 2026)

Pongal, a harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, South India, takes place in mid-January each year and lasts for four days. The name is derived from the Tamil word meaning "boiling over." People cook the year's harvested rice, milk, and jaggery in new clay pots outdoors, allowing it to boil over to symbolize abundance and prosperity. You can witness this Pongal milk boiling ceremony and taste the sweet Pongal festival rice porridge in Tamil villages or temples. There is also a parade of cows adorned with flowers to express gratitude for their hard work throughout the year.

Close to the time of Pongal, other regions of India also celebrate harvest festivals. In the north, such as Punjab, people celebrate Lohri on the previous day (January 13), dancing and singing around a roaring bonfire to welcome the arrival of longer days. On January 14, Makar Sankranti, along with the Gujarat kite festival, is the most famous to join in.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Sep 14, 2026)

Ganesh Chaturthi (Elephant God Festival)

Ganesh Chaturthi in India is the Elephant God Festival, which honors the birth of the beloved elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha, over 10 days, usually in August or September. It is celebrated on 14 September 2026. On the festival days, there are many clay-made statues of the Elephant God installed on the streets, homes, temples, and open places in the country. Many regions host grand processions with devotional dances and songs, especially Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja.

It is the most unforgettable moment experiencing idol immersion (Visarjan), where beautifully decorated idols of Ganesh are paraded through streets and carried to the nearby rivers, finally immersed in the holy waters.

You can taste traditional Indian food during Ganesh Chaturthi, like locally made modak, a kind of sweet dumpling that is Ganapati's favorite sweet. An eco-friendly idol is available for buying in shops and pandals, but you should choose and install the idol properly, with a trunk bent towards the left and facing the north direction.

Onam (Aug 16-25, 2026)

Onam is the harvest festival in Kerala in South India. There will be a 10-day celebration with a riot of Kerala's culture and heritage attracts visitors at home and abroad each year. In 2026, it happens from August 16-25.

Kerala's people design intricate floral carpets with various petals on the ground in front of their houses to welcome King Mahabali. The large festival, along with traditional Kathakali dance performances, embraces phenomenal processions known as Athachamayam, which feature extravagant floats and elephants embellished with jewels.

Another popular focus is to watch snake boat races on rivers or lakes that are unique to the festival. You can't leave without trying the Onam Sadya, a classical 26-dish feast served on banana leaves.

Pushkar Camel Fair (Nov 17-24, 2026)

The Pushkar Camel Fair brings a unique fusion of busy trading and competitions in India's rural culture. The great fair is held in the town of Pushkar in Rajasthan in November 17-24, 2026. At this time of year, thousands of camels, cattle, and horses are traded in the market.

The fair is busy with street food vendors, folk music performances, and arts and crafts stalls. The thrilling sections are the camel racing (every participating camel is elaborately adorned) and mustache competitions (the winner is who boasts the longest mustache). There are also many Indian sports races during the fair, such as turban tying, wrestling (for men), the Matka Race (for women), and the Bride and Groom Competition (for foreigners).

You won't miss the night part when pilgrims congregate to take a dip in the town's cherished lake as the culmination of the Pushkar Fair. The fair is in the desert, quite a way from the town center, so the ideal accommodation and mobility choices may be camel carts and Pushkar camps.

Pushkar Camel Fair

Eid al-Fitr (Mar 19-20, 2026)

Eid al-Fitr, also known as "Meethi Eid," is an Indian festival that Muslims across the country celebrate to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. There is no fixed day, as it depends on the moon sighting. The two-day event takes place on March 19 to 20, 2026.

The day begins with special prayers and a hearty meal at home or in mosques, where devotees are dressed in the finest clothes and exchange sweets with each other. In many places in India, traditional Eid dishes could be the staple diet of the celebrations. You get a chance to savor local, authentic recipes at some food stalls, like kebabs (grilled lamb), biryani (rice stew), and khurma (noodles with milk and dried fruit).

Since Eid is a time for family gatherings, a great number of Indian Muslims return to their hometown. The tickets for public transport may fill up and rise in price around Eid, so be sure to make any reservations as early as possible.

Indian Festivals & Celebrations Calendar 2026

Festival	Date	Highlight
Karwa Chauth	Oct 29, 2026	Decorate the hands and legs with Henna or Mehendi, watch the seven feris ritual, eat soot feni made with milk and sugar, and listen to sacred stories called Vrat katha
Durga Puja	Oct 17-21, 2026	Participate in 5-day celebrations, watch idol immersions, and eat Khichuri & Labra (a lentil dish served with vegetable curry)
Maha Shivaratri	Feb 15-16, 2026	Witness Abhishekam (a mesmerizing way that the Lord Shiva idol is bathed), shop in a week-long fair, and watch Varanasi's ghats
Krishna Janmashtami	Sep 4, 2026	Celebrates Lord Krishna's birth, see devotees performing the "Dahi Handi" ritual, and listen to the chants of "Hare Krishna"
Kumbh Mela	July-September, 2027	Enjoy yoga and meditation, take a holy bath in Ramkund, join in grand processions, and watch cultural programmes

Plan your trip to India with Odynovo! We work to tailor individual itineraries and projects according to your preferences. Contact us and just time your visit around the festivals, we ensure you have unforgettable memories by interacting with friendly locals, witnessing incredible rituals, and savoring authentic festive foods.