Best Festivals in India in November and December 2026: Dates, Costs and How to Go

The Hornbill Festival returns to Kisama, Nagaland, from 1 to 10 December 2026, and day tickets still cost just ₹50 to ₹100. It caps a six-week run in which India stages a camel fair in the desert, a film festival in Goa, a million lamps on the Ganga and the 100th season of Chennai’s most famous music hall. Here are the 10 best festivals in India this November and December, with confirmed dates, real costs and the booking steps that matter.

Why November and December Are Peak Festival Season

Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, and the weeks that follow are packed. The monsoon has fully retreated, desert temperatures have dropped and the North-East is dry and clear.

The calendar also lines up neatly this year. Kartik Purnima, the full moon that anchors several big fairs, falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026. Drik Panchang puts the Purnima tithi from 11:42 pm on 23 November to 8:23 pm on 24 November (New Delhi time). That single date drives the Pushkar fair’s holy dip, Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and the peak of the Sonepur Mela. Guru Nanak Jayanti is also observed on Kartik Purnima.

December then shifts east and south. Hornbill and the Konark Festival open on the same day, 1 December. Chennai’s music season starts mid-month, and Mumbai’s biggest dance music party follows on 18 and 19 December.

If you want a broader list of winter getaways beyond festivals, our guide to the best places to visit this winter in India covers hill stations, beaches and wildlife parks.

Quick Comparison: The 10 Festivals at a Glance

Prices and schedules are as published by organisers and may change. Confirm on official channels before you book travel.

The Best November Festivals in India 2026

1. Rann Utsav, Kutch (1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027)

The Tent City at Dhordo reopens on 1 November and runs for a little over four months. Evoke Experiences operates it in partnership with Gujarat Tourism.

What you get: Sunrise and sunset walks on the White Rann, folk music and Siddi community dance, a crafts haat selling Ajrakh and Bandhani, and day trips to Kala Dungar and Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An optional extension uses the 30 km “Road to Heaven” highway across the salt desert to reach Dholavira.

Costs: An authorised booking partner lists tent packages starting at about ₹6,300 per person for a non-AC tent, ₹8,300 for a deluxe AC tent, ₹9,300 for premium AC and ₹10,300 for super premium AC. These are starting rates. Weekends, festival weeks and full moon nights cost more.

Timing tip: Outlook Traveller lists the full moon windows as 23 to 25 November and 22 to 24 December. A moonlit Rann is the classic photograph. For stargazing, the darker nights around 9 November and 8 December are better.

Getting there: Fly or take a train to Bhuj, then drive about two to three hours to Dhordo. Many packages include transfers. You also need a White Rann entry permit, so ask your operator whether it is bundled into your package.

Why it made the list: It is the only festival here that runs all season, so it suits travellers with fixed leave dates.

2. Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan (17 to 24 November)

Incredible India, the government’s tourism portal, lists the 2026 fair from 17 to 24 November. Entry is free.

What you get: Decorated camels, camel races and parades, the famous moustache competition, matka-tod contests, puppet shows, folk dance and hot-air balloon rides over the fairground. The final days build towards the holy dip in Pushkar Lake on Kartik Purnima, 24 November.

Plan around crowds: The first half of the week is the trading fair, with the most camels and herders. The second half turns religious, with pilgrim numbers peaking around the full moon. Photographers usually prefer the early days.

Getting there: Jaipur is the nearest major international airport. Ajmer, about 15 km away, is the nearest big railway station. Luxury tent camps set up around the fairground each year, and they fill up early.

Why it made the list: Few events in the world mix livestock trading, pilgrimage and folk performance on this scale. Foreign visitors arrive in large numbers, which makes it a strong pick for international readers too.

3. IFFI Goa, Panaji (20 to 28 November)

The 57th International Film Festival of India runs from 20 to 28 November 2026 in Goa. It is Asia’s oldest film festival.

What you get: Nine days of screenings, including an Indian Panorama of 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films, plus international competition sections and masterclasses. Awards this year include categories for debut directors and digital web series.

Costs: The official IFFI site lists delegate passes at ₹1,180 including GST for film professionals and cine enthusiasts. Film and mass communication students at recognised Indian institutions register free with an institution letter and ID. All delegates must be 18 or older, and registration is subject to document checks.

Pair it with: Late November is the start of Goa’s high season. Beaches are calm, shacks have reopened and Christmas pricing has not yet kicked in.

Why it made the list: It turns a Goa holiday into a cultural trip without adding much to the budget.

4. Sonepur Mela, Bihar (from 22 November)

Patna Press reports that the 2026 Sonepur Mela begins on 22 November, with the main Kartik Purnima celebrations on 23 and 24 November. The fair traditionally runs for several weeks.

What you get: One of Asia’s oldest cattle fairs, held at Harihar Kshetra where the Gandak meets the Ganga. Expect a sprawling market, pilgrims bathing at the confluence, folk theatre and food stalls.

Getting there: Sonepur is about 25 km from Patna across the Ganga. Patna has the nearest airport and a major railway junction.

Rail note: Indian Railways is running festival special trains towards Bihar through October and November. One September timetable listed 28 train numbers on routes from Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh to Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and beyond. Book these on IRCTC as early as possible.

Why it made the list: It is raw and unpackaged, which makes it a strong pick for travellers who find Pushkar too commercial.

5. Dev Deepawali, Varanasi (24 November)

Dev Deepawali falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, Kartik Purnima. The 84 ghats of Varanasi are lit with clay lamps, and an evening Ganga aarti draws huge crowds.

What you get: The best view is from the river. Boats are hired at a premium on this evening, so fix your boat a day or two ahead and agree the price clearly. The previous day, 23 November, is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi.

Costs: Watching from the ghats is free. Rooms with a ghat view sell out weeks in advance and can cost several times the usual rate.

Getting there: Varanasi has its own airport (Lal Bahadur Shastri International) and major railway stations. Expect road closures near the ghats on the day, so plan to walk the last stretch.

Why it made the list: Diwali is 16 days earlier, but many travellers rate Dev Deepawali the more striking spectacle.

The Best December Festivals in India 2026

6. Hornbill Festival, Nagaland (1 to 10 December)

The Government of Nagaland stages the Hornbill Festival every December at Kisama Heritage Village, about 12 km from Kohima. The 2026 edition runs from 1 to 10 December.

What you get: Traditional morungs (community houses) for each Naga tribe, with performances, food and crafts. There are indigenous sports such as Naga wrestling and archery, herbal medicine stalls and fashion shows. In the evenings, the Hornbill Music Festival and concerts run in Kohima.

Costs: Day tickets at Kisama cost ₹50 to ₹100 and are sold on site, according to Time Out. Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). It is issued online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in. Fees have been reported at ₹50 for 15 days and ₹500 for a year, so check the portal for current rates.

Getting there: Fly to Dimapur, about 74 km from Kohima, then take a taxi for two to three hours. Dimapur railway station connects to Guwahati. Kohima hotels and homestays book out for the full ten days, so reserve now.

Why it made the list: It is the single best window into North-East culture, and the entry fee is almost symbolic.

7. Konark Festival, Odisha (1 to 5 December)

Odisha Tourism lists the 2026 Konark Festival from 1 to 5 December at the open-air auditorium facing the Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What you get: Five evenings of classical dance, held here since 1986. Expect Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathakali and Sattriya. Odisha has also traditionally held a sand art festival on nearby Chandrabhaga beach in early December.

Getting there: Fly to Bhubaneswar (Biju Patnaik International Airport), about 65 km away. Puri is about 35 km from Konark and makes a good base.

Why it made the list: Classical dance against a 13th-century temple at sunset is hard to beat. You can combine it with Puri’s beach and the Jagannath Temple.

8. India Art Festival, Bengaluru (11 to 13 December)

The Bengaluru edition of the India Art Festival takes over Palace Grounds (Gate No. 5, Bellary Road) from 11 to 13 December. A Delhi edition runs earlier, from 20 to 22 November at the Constitution Club of India.

What you get: Artists and galleries from across India under one roof, with works across price points. It is a practical place to buy original art without gallery mark-ups.

Why it made the list: It is an easy weekend plan for Bengaluru residents. Ticket prices had not been published at the time of writing.

9. Music Academy 100th Annual Concerts, Chennai (15 December 2026 to 1 January 2027)

Chennai’s Margazhi music season is the biggest annual gathering of Carnatic musicians anywhere. This year it carries a milestone: the Music Academy’s 100th annual concerts run from 15 December 2026 to 1 January 2027.

What you get: Concerts all day, every day. Academic conference sessions run from 8 am to 10 am at the Kasturi Srinivasan Hall from 16 December. Dozens of other sabhas across the city run their own concert series in parallel.

Costs and booking: The first three concerts each day (9 am, 11:45 am and 1:30 pm) are free. The 4 pm and 6:45 pm concerts are ticketed, and one ticket covers both. Season ticket sales run online until 10 December. Daily tickets open two days before each date.

Why it made the list: A centenary season comes once. You can attend world-class concerts for free in the mornings.

10. Sunburn Festival, Mumbai (18 to 19 December)

Sunburn moves to Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai on 18 and 19 December 2026. Time Out Mumbai reports The Chainsmokers and Jason Derulo headlining day one, with DJ Snake and Sebastian Ingrosso on day two.

Costs: General access starts at ₹3,500, sold exclusively on BookMyShow. Higher tiers cost more and prices step up as phases sell out.

Why it made the list: It is India’s biggest electronic music festival with an international line-up. Mahalaxmi is central and close to local train stations.

Bonus for Christmas week: If you would rather celebrate in the desert, the Structure techno festival is listed for 25 to 27 December at The Desert Resort in Mandawa, Rajasthan, with tickets from ₹5,999. Goa’s Christmas Eve midnight masses and beach parties remain the classic alternative.

How to Plan a Festival Trip Without Overspending

Festival dates push up prices fast, but a few habits keep costs sane.

1. Lock stays first, transport second. Rooms near Kisama, the Varanasi ghats and Pushkar run out before flights do. Book cancellable rooms now and look for fares later.
2. Use trains for the Kartik Purnima cluster. Varanasi, Patna and Ajmer are all well connected by rail. IRCTC opens bookings 60 days ahead, so late-November dates are already open.
3. Avoid the exact peak night if you can. Visit Pushkar on 17 to 20 November rather than 24 November. Stay at the Rann on non-full-moon weeknights. You will pay less and see more.
4. Carry cash. Haats, boatmen and small food stalls at rural fairs often prefer cash or UPI, and mobile networks get congested.
5. Pack for cold nights. Kutch, Pushkar and Kohima can drop close to single digits after dark in December.
6. Keep your phone charged. A power bank matters at all-day events. If you are upgrading your camera phone for these trips, see our list of the best phones to buy this Diwali 2026 in India.

Sample Itineraries

The Kartik Purnima circuit (7 days, North India)

• Day 1 to 3: Pushkar, arriving 18 November for the camel fair.
• Day 4: Train or fly to Varanasi.
• Day 5 to 6: Varanasi, including Dev Deepawali on 24 November.
• Day 7: Day trip to Sarnath, then home.

North-East December (6 days)

• Day 1: Fly to Dimapur, drive to Kohima.
• Day 2 to 4: Hornbill Festival at Kisama, with evening concerts in Kohima.
• Day 5: Day trip to Khonoma, a nearby village known for its conservation work.
• Day 6: Return via Dimapur.

Coastal and classical (5 days, East and South)

• Day 1 to 3: Puri and the Konark Festival (1 to 5 December).
• Day 4 to 5: Fly to Chennai later in the month for the music season.

For NRI and International Travellers

November and December are also when many NRIs from the US, UK and Gulf fly home. Pushkar, Hornbill and Dev Deepawali draw large numbers of foreign tourists, and English signage is common at all three.

Foreign nationals visiting Nagaland do not need the domestic ILP. However, they must register with the district Foreigners’ Registration Officer or the nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival. Rules can change, so check with the Nagaland government before travel.

Planning to head abroad instead after the festivals? Our list of the best visa-free countries for Indians this winter covers easy short-haul options.

FAQs

What are the best festivals in India in December 2026?

The Hornbill Festival (1 to 10 December), the Konark Festival (1 to 5 December), the Music Academy’s 100th concerts in Chennai (from 15 December) and Sunburn Mumbai (18 to 19 December) are the standouts. Rann Utsav also runs through the whole month.

When is the Pushkar Camel Fair in 2026?

Incredible India lists the 2026 Pushkar fair from 17 to 24 November. The holy dip in Pushkar Lake falls on Kartik Purnima, 24 November. Entry to the fair is free.

Do I need a permit for the Hornbill Festival?

Yes, Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, which you can apply for online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in. Fees have been reported at ₹50 for 15 days. Foreign nationals must register locally within 24 hours of arrival instead.

What is the Dev Deepawali 2026 date?

Dev Deepawali in Varanasi falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026. The Purnima tithi starts late on 23 November and ends at 8:23 pm on 24 November, per Drik Panchang. The main lamp-lighting happens on the evening of the 24th.

How much does a Rann Utsav tent cost in 2026-27?

Starting rates listed by an authorised booking partner run from about ₹6,300 per person for a non-AC tent to ₹10,300 for a super premium AC tent. Prices rise on weekends, festival weeks and full moon nights. Always confirm the final rate and permit inclusion with the operator.

Can the public attend IFFI Goa 2026?

Yes. Cine enthusiasts aged 18 and above can register as delegates for ₹1,180 including GST, according to the official IFFI site. Eligible film and mass communication students register free. Registration is subject to document verification.

Which festival is best for a budget trip?

Sonepur Mela and the Chennai music season are the cheapest. Both are free to enter, and Chennai’s morning concerts cost nothing. Hornbill is also inexpensive once you reach Nagaland, with day tickets of ₹50 to ₹100.

The Bottom Line

This is one of the best years in a while to travel for festivals in India. Kartik Purnima on 24 November gives you Pushkar, Sonepur and Dev Deepawali in a single week. December then opens with Hornbill and Konark on the same day and closes with the Music Academy’s centenary season. If you can pick only one, choose Hornbill for culture and value, or Pushkar for sheer spectacle. Whichever you choose, book your room this week, because the best-located stays are already filling up.