From Rann Utsav To Surajkund Craft Mela: 10 Unmissable Winter Festivals In India

Winter in India does not mean retreating indoors. Rather, it signals the start of a season filled with music, dance, and celebrations. Across the country, communities come alive to host various vibrant winter festivals. From the bright salt flats of Kutch to snow-touched hill stations in the Himalayas, India's winter festivals celebrate heritage, harvest, and nature itself. The local fairs offer glimpses of folk performances, culinary delights, tribal arts, spiritual pilgrimages, and more. 

Here are 10 popular winter festivals in India you must attend:

1. Rann Utsav (October to March)

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Held in the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, the festival will run from October 23, 2025, to March 4, 2026. It showcases the region's art, culture, and natural beauty through activities like camel safaris, folk dances, music performances, and displays of Gujarat's rich handicrafts. The best time to visit is typically from November to February for cool, comfortable weather, with specific events like full moon nights offering particularly breathtaking desert views.

2. Hornbill Festival (December)

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The Hornbill Festival 2025 will be held from December 1 to December 10, 2025, at the Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, Nagaland. The annual event, known as the "Festival of Festivals," will feature traditional Naga dances, cultural performances, music, and handicraft exhibitions. The fair focuses on the Naga community's lesser-known tribal culture and skills. It's an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the community's unique traditions and customs.

3. Shimla Winter Carnival (January)

Typically held in January, the Shimla Winter Festival transforms the city into a vibrant wonderland. In addition to cultural performances and snow activities, the event features colourful parades, street plays, and fashion shows. A major highlight is the Ice Skating Carnival at Asia's oldest natural ice skating rink, where visitors can enjoy ice hockey and figure skating. Traditional Himachali folk dance and music performances are also organised, which deepen your understanding of the community.

4. Jaisalmer Desert Festival (January to February)

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The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an annual cultural event that takes place in the heart of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan. Scheduled from January 30 to February 1, 2026, the three-day fair showcases the heritage of the Thar Desert with traditional music, dance, and competitions. The festival also features unique competitions such as the turban-tying contest, moustache competition, and camel races. The event concludes with a breathtaking display of fireworks lighting up the desert sky.

5. Pushkar Camel Fair (October to November)

The Pushkar Camel Fair is an annual event held in Pushkar, Rajasthan, featuring livestock trading, cultural events, and competitions. For 2025, the fair is scheduled from October 30 to November 5. Visitors can expect camel races, a carnival-like atmosphere, music, dance, and various contests, including the famous "longest moustache" and "matka phod."

6. Surajkund International Craft Mela (January to February)

The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is an annual celebration of Indian and international folk traditions and cultural heritage held in Surajkund, Haryana. It is known as one of the world's largest crafts fairs, featuring handicrafts, handlooms, folk art, music, and a multi-cuisine food court. For 2026, the fair is scheduled from January 31 to February 15.

7. Shilpgram Festival (December)

The Shilpgram Festival is an annual 10-day event held in Udaipur, typically from December 21 to 30. The fair showcases traditional Indian arts, crafts, and culture. It features folk dances, musical performances, handicraft stalls, and workshops, offering a blend of entertainment and educational benefits in a rural arts complex just outside the city.

8. The Nagaur Festival (February)

The Nagaur Festival, also known as the Nagaur Cattle Fair, will be held between February 17 and 21, 2026, in Rajasthan. It is the second-largest fair in India and primarily serves as a major trading hub for livestock, especially camels, horses, and bulls. The festival also features a wide range of cultural programs, traditional sports like tug-of-war and camel races, and a vibrant Mirchi Bazaar.

9. The Goa Carnival (February)

Typically held in February, the Goa Carnival is a four-day festival celebrated with parades, music, dance, and parties. It begins with King Momo declaring "eat, drink, and make merry" and takes place annually before Lent. The main parades occur in major Goan cities like Panaji, Margao, and Vasco. The celebration includes local elements like one-act plays known as Kyat.

10. The Kochi Carnival (December)

The Kochi Carnival is a month-long cultural celebration in Fort Kochi, Kerala, held annually in the last two weeks of December. The event culminates on New Year's Day with a massive, colourful parade. The multi-ethnic cultural celebration features events like sports competitions, food festivals, and cultural performances. There is also a symbolic burning of Pappanji, an effigy representing the year past, to welcome the new year.