India is a rich tapestry of hues, cultures, and age-old festivals. With almost every day on the calendar, there is a festival that converts roads into processions of joy, houses into palaces of light, and hearts into cups of collective bliss. From the snow-clad peaks of Himachal to Kerala’s beaches where the sun rises high, the beat of celebration never stops — every corner of the country has its own method of bringing people together in the guise of stories, rituals, and celebration.
What is so captivating about these festivals is the sheer diversity they represent. They transcend state boundaries, religions, and languages to create a living mosaic of unity in diversity. Wild or small, large or sorrowful, each fest is throbbing with meaning — and always with a feeling of belonging.
So if you’re prepared to dive into the colors, tastes, rhythms, and sacred traditions of Indian existence, here’s a warmly selected guide to 36 of India’s most celebrated festivals of India, along with dates and highlight moments. Because in India, each festival is not only for a day — it’s a tale, a memory, a shared pulse.
List of 36 Major Festivals in India 2025 (With Dates)
Here’s a quick overview of the biggest religious and national festivals in India for 2025:
| Month | Festival | Date | Day |
| January | Makar Sankranti / Pongal | 14 Jan | Wednesday |
| February | Vasant Panchami | 2 Feb | Sunday |
| February | Thaipusam | 11 Feb | Tuesday |
| February | Maha Shivaratri | 26 Feb | Wednesday |
| March | Holika Dahan | 13 Mar | Thursday |
| March | Holi | 14 Mar | Friday |
| March | Hindi New Year | 29 Mar | Saturday |
| March | Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Telugu New Year | 30 Mar | Sunday |
| April | Ram Navami | 6 Apr | Sunday |
| April | Hanuman Jayanti | 12 Apr | Saturday |
| April | Baisakhi / Vishu | 14 Apr | Monday |
| April | Bengali New Year / Bihu / Tamil New Year | 14 Apr | Monday |
| May | Akshaya Tritiya | 30 May | Friday |
| May | Buddha Purnima | 11 May | Sunday |
| June | Jagannath Rath Yatra | 27 June | Friday |
| July | Guru Purnima | 10 July | Thursday |
| August | Raksha Bandhan | 9 Aug | Saturday |
| August | Janmashtami | 16 Aug | Saturday |
| August | Ganesh Chaturthi | 26 Aug | Tuesday |
| September | Onam | 5 Sept | Friday |
| September | Durga Ashtami | 30 Sept | Tuesday |
| October | Dussehra | 2 Oct | Thursday |
| October | Diwali | 20 Oct | Monday |
| October | Govardhan Puja | 22 Oct | Wednesday |
| October | Chhath Puja | 27 Oct | Monday |
| November | Gurpurab | 5 Nov | Wednesday |
| December | Christmas | 25 Dec | Thursday |
Most Celebrated Festivals of India (You Shouldn’t Miss)
Diwali – The Festival of Lights
Date: 20th October 2025 (Monday)
Where: Celebrated across India
Highlights: Diyas, fireworks, sweets, family gatherings
No other festival captures the spirit of India like Diwali. Streets glow with oil lamps, homes are cleaned and decorated, and families come together for puja and sweets. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama after 14 years in exile. If you’re in India during Diwali, you’re in for a sparkling treat!
Holi – The Festival of Colours
Date: 14th March 2025 (Friday)
Where: Northern India is a hotspot – especially Vrindavan & Mathura
Highlights: Playing with colors, bhang, dancing, Holika bonfire
This iconic celebration marks the triumph of good over evil and welcomes spring with open arms and powdered hues. It’s one of the most internationally recognized festivals in India and is truly an experience for all your senses.
Dussehra – The Victory of Good Over Evil
Date: 2nd October 2025 (Thursday)
Where: All across India, especially Mysore & Kullu
Highlights: Ram Lila, Ravan Dahan, cultural processions
Dussehra is all about the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Watch epic stage plays, fireworks, and vibrant parades celebrating righteousness and courage.
Navratri – Nine Nights of Devotion and Dance
Date: 30 March to 7 April 2025
Where: Best enjoyed in Gujarat, Mumbai, and Delhi
Highlights: Garba nights, dandiya, fasting, traditional wear
Navratri brings nine nights of nonstop dance and devotion. Fasting, spiritual reflection, and electric Garba beats fill the air. It’s one of those festivals of India where tradition and party spirit go hand-in-hand!
Durga Puja – The Spirit of Bengal
Date: 28 September – 2 October 2025
Where: Kolkata is the soul of this festival
Highlights: Pandal hopping, Durga idol immersion, feasts
For Bengalis, Durga Puja is bigger than life. Art meets spirituality with larger-than-life idols, majestic decorations, and traditional dances that make it one of the grandest festivals in India.
Janmashtami – Celebrating Krishna’s Birth
Date: 16 August 2025 (Saturday)
Where: Mathura and Vrindavan
Highlights: Krishna jhankis, Dahi Handi, temple decorations
Temples come alive with midnight prayers, devotional songs, and energetic “Dahi Handi” competitions. Children dress as little Krishnas and Radhas—it’s both adorable and deeply spiritual.
Ganesh Chaturthi – Lord Ganesha’s Birthday
Date: 26 August 2025
Where: Mumbai and Maharashtra lead the celebration
Highlights: Huge Ganesha idols, Visarjan processions, music, and dance
Eleven days of pure joy, music, and devotion! Lord Ganesha is welcomed into homes and streets, worshipped daily, and then farewelled with massive processions to the sea.
Gurpurab – The Sikh Festival of Light and Wisdom
Date: 5 November 2025 (Wednesday)
Where: Punjab, Delhi, and Sikh communities globally
Highlights: Langar, Nagar Kirtan, decorated Gurudwaras
Marking the birthdays of Sikh Gurus, Gurpurab is a spiritual experience. From soulful hymns to community kitchens serving free meals to all, it’s a day filled with peace and compassion.
Also Read: Top 5 must visit Pilgrimage places in India
Raksha Bandhan – A Thread That Binds Love
Date in 2025: 9th August (Saturday
Where: Widely celebrated in North, Central & West India
Why It Matters: Celebrates the bond of love and trust between brothers and sisters.
Don’t Miss: The colorful rakhis, bustling markets, and of course, delicious sweets!
What To Do: Celebrate with your siblings and keep the spirit of care and support alive.
Raksha Bandhan is one of the most cherished festivals in India, especially among siblings. It’s a beautiful ritual where sisters tie a sacred thread (rakhi) on their brothers’ wrists, praying for their well-being. In return, brothers vow to protect their sisters and shower them with gifts.
Eid-Ul-Fitr – A Sweet Ending to the Holy Month
Date in 2025: 30th–31st March (Sunday–Monday)
Where: Across India
Why It Matters: Celebrates the spirit of gratitude, unity, and giving after a month of fasting.
Don’t Miss: Seviyan (vermicelli dessert), festive shopping, and joyful gatherings.
What To Do: Dress up, join a community prayer, and share sweets and love with friends and family.
Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the most important festivals of India for the Muslim community. It begins with the morning Namaz, followed by visiting loved ones, feasting on mouthwatering dishes, and exchanging gifts and smiles.
Bihu – Dancing Through the Fields of Assam
Date in 2025: 14th–20th April (Monday–Sunday)
Where: Assam & Assamese communities around the world
Why It Matters: Marks the Assamese New Year and thanks nature for a good harvest.
Don’t Miss: Coconut ladoos, til pitha, and rhythmic Bihu performances.
What To Do: Join a Bihu dance celebration and try out traditional Assamese delicacies.
Among the most joyful harvest festivals in India, Bihu is a celebration of new beginnings and agricultural abundance. Traditional music, energetic Bihu dance, and delicious Assamese food set the tone for this week-long festivity.
Hemis – Ladakh’s Masked Celebration
Date in 2025: 5th–6th July (Saturday–Sunday)
Where: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Why It Matters: A sacred tribute to the spiritual roots of Tibetan culture.
Don’t Miss: The dramatic performances and the rich cultural aura of Ladakh.
What To Do: Watch the unique masked dances and soak in the tranquil vibes of the monastery.
Looking for something offbeat? Hemis is one of the lesser-known yet spellbinding festivals of India, celebrated in the stunning Himalayan backdrop. It honors Guru Padmasambhava—the founder of Tibetan Buddhism—with masked Cham dances, vibrant costumes, and rhythmic chants.
Onam – Kerala’s Grand Carnival with Boat Races & Pookalam
Date in 2025: 5th September (Friday)
Where: Entire state of Kerala
Why It Matters: Honours prosperity, community, and cultural pride.
Don’t Miss: Onasadya (a 13-dish feast), Pulikali (tiger dance), and elephant processions.
What To Do: Wear traditional attire, make a Pookalam, and enjoy a traditional feast.
Onam is Kerala’s grandest celebration and one of the most inclusive festivals of India. It welcomes the legendary King Mahabali back to his homeland. From intricately designed Pookalams (floral rangolis) to the thrilling snake boat races, Onam is a sight to behold.
Pongal – A Southern Harvest Spectacle
Date in 2025: 14th–17th January (Tuesday–Friday)
Where: Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities
Why It Matters: A thanksgiving to nature and a celebration of abundance.
Don’t Miss: Pongal (sweet rice dish), Kolam art, and Jallikattu (bull-taming event).
What To Do: Prepare the traditional dish, decorate with kolam, and join the festivities.
Pongal is Tamil Nadu’s joyful harvest celebration and one of the most prominent festivals in India from the South. It’s a four-day affair with bonfires, sweet dishes, cattle processions, and colorful kolams (rangoli).
Christmas – The Magic of Love & Lights
Date in 2025: 25th December (Thursday)
Where: Across India – especially Goa, Kerala & Pondicherry
Why It Matters: Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, spreading love and hope.
Don’t Miss: Carol singing, Christmas markets, and the magical midnight Mass.
What To Do: Visit a church, attend a festive carnival, and surprise loved ones with gifts.
Christmas isn’t just a Christian festival—it’s one of those festivals in India that everyone looks forward to. Twinkling lights, decorated Christmas trees, midnight Mass, and gifts from Santa Claus bring warmth and joy to every heart.
Easter – Rebirth and Renewal
Date in 2025: 20th April (Sunday)
Where: Widely celebrated in Goa, Kerala & Pondicherry
Why It Matters: Symbolizes rebirth, hope, and new beginnings.
Don’t Miss: Simmel cakes, Easter eggs, and vibrant processions.
What To Do: Attend prayers, share Easter goodies, and embrace the message of hope.
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is filled with vibrant processions, joyful hymns, and delicious treats. Streets come alive with decorations, plays, and lanterns, making it one of the most uplifting spring festivals of India.
Baisakhi – Punjab’s Joyous Harvest Celebration
Date: 13 April 2025 (Sunday)
Where: Punjab and across North India
Highlights: Bhangra and Giddha dance performances, grand Nagar Kirtans, fairs, and delicious Punjabi food.
Baisakhi is one of the most energetic festivals in India, especially in Punjab. It marks the harvest of the rabi crops and also commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh. The fields are lush, the dhols are loud, and the spirit of the people is unstoppable!
Makar Sankranti – Flying Kites, Soaking in the Sun
Date: 14 January 2025 (Tuesday)
Where: Celebrated across India (especially Gujarat, Maharashtra, and UP)
Highlights: Kite festivals in Gujarat, tilgul exchanges, and sacred river dips.
Makar Sankranti is all about letting go of the dark days and welcoming longer, sunnier ones. People celebrate by flying colourful kites and sharing sweets made of sesame and jaggery.
Maha Shivratri – The Great Night of Lord Shiva
Date: 26 February 2025 (Wednesday)
Where: Pan-India
Highlights: Temple visits, Shiva abhishekam with milk and bael leaves, night-long bhajans.
Maha Shivratri, one of the most spiritual festivals of India, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, chant prayers, and stay up all night in meditation.
Basant Panchami – Welcoming Spring with Yellow Vibes
Date: 2 February 2025 (Sunday)
Where: North and East India
Highlights: Saraswati Puja, yellow attire and food, and vibrant kite flying.
This festival marks the arrival of spring and honours Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and learning. People wear yellow, fly kites, and encourage young children to start their education.
Mahavir Jayanti – Remembering the Jain Guru of Peace
Date: 10 April 2025 (Thursday)
Where: Gujarat, Rajasthan, and major Jain communities
Highlights: Processions (Rath Yatras), temple prayers, and teachings of non-violence.
This peaceful festival celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. It’s a day filled with spiritual reflection and acts of kindness.
Ugadi – A Fresh Start for Southern States
Date: 30 March 2025 (Sunday)
Where: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
Highlights: Eating Ugadi Pachadi (with 6 tastes of life), oil baths, and festive meals.
Ugadi marks the New Year in the Deccan region and kicks off with mango leaf decorations, traditional dishes, and rituals for prosperity.
Chhath Puja – Devotion to the Sun God
Date: 1–4 November 2025
Where: Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern UP
Highlights: Fasting, standing in water for long hours, and beautiful riverbank rituals.
Chhath Puja is one of the most disciplined and heartfelt festivals in India, where devotees worship the Sun God for wellbeing and family happiness by offering prayers at sunrise and sunset.
Vishu – Kerala’s New Year of Lights and Blessings
Date: 14 April 2025 (Monday)
Where: Kerala
Highlights: Fireworks, wearing new clothes (Kaineettam), and the grand Vishu feast (Sadhya).
Vishu is a beautiful New Year festival in Kerala where people wake up to the Vishukkani – a divine sight of prosperity arranged with rice, fruits, gold, and lamps.
Gudi Padwa – Maharashtrian New Year Begins with Gudi Flags
Date: 30 March 2025 (Sunday)
Where: Maharashtra
Highlights: Raising the gudi, preparing puran poli, and decorating entrances with rangolis.
Gudi Padwa is the Marathi New Year and it’s celebrated with colourful street decorations and gudi flags that symbolize victory and happiness.
Bohag Bihu – Assam’s Joyous Springtime Fest
Date: 14 April 2025 (Monday)
Where: Assam
Highlights: Bihu dance, feasting, and cultural nights.
Bohag Bihu is Assam’s way of welcoming the Assamese New Year and celebrating the new harvest. It’s filled with traditional music, dancing, and a strong sense of community.
Puthandu – Tamil New Year with a Taste of Tradition
Date: 14 April 2025 (Monday)
Where: Tamil Nadu
Highlights: Temple visits, family gatherings, and the dish Mangai Pachadi.
Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, begins with looking at auspicious items (Kanni) and enjoying sweet and savoury dishes that reflect life’s mixed emotions.
Hemis Festival – Monastic Dances in the Land of the Lamas
Date: 7–8 July 2025 (Monday–Tuesday)
Where: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
Highlights: Cham dances, Tibetan music, and traditional handicrafts.
This colourful Buddhist celebration marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. It’s known for mystical mask dances and thangka displays in the stunning mountains of Ladakh.
Hornbill Festival – A Cultural Explosion in Nagaland
Date: 1–10 December 2025
Where: Kisama Heritage Village, Nagaland
Highlights: Tribal performances, rock music festival, and indigenous crafts.
Called the “Festival of Festivals”, Hornbill is one of the most vibrant festivals in India showcasing Naga tribal culture through music, dance, food, and tradition.
Teej – A Festival for Love, Devotion & Green Sarees
Date: 19 August 2025 (Tuesday)
Where: Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh
Highlights: Henna art, wearing green, and Shiva-Parvati worship.
Teej is celebrated by married women praying for their husbands’ wellbeing. It involves fasting, traditional songs, and dancing in swings during the monsoon.
31. Ganga Dussehra – Honouring the Holy Ganges
Date: 5 June 2025 (Thursday)
Where: Varanasi, Haridwar, Rishikesh
Highlights: Evening aarti, riverfront bhajans, and floating diyas on the Ganga.
This festival marks the descent of the Ganges to Earth. Devotees take holy dips to cleanse sins and light lamps along the riverbanks.
Govardhan Puja – Offering Gratitude with Mountains of Food
Date: 22 October 2025 (Wednesday)
Where: North India, especially Mathura and Vrindavan
Highlights: Food offerings arranged in hill shapes, temple prayers, and singing bhajans.
This festival takes place the day after Diwali and celebrates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from storms.
Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) – The Day of Light Before Diwali
Date: 21 October 2025 (Tuesday)
Where: Celebrated across India
Highlights: Early morning oil baths, lighting lamps, and fireworks.
Naraka Chaturdashi is observed a day before Diwali. It celebrates the victory of good over evil as Lord Krishna destroyed demon Narakasura.
Bhai Dooj – A Sibling Celebration of Love
Date: 23 October 2025 (Thursday)
Where: Across India
Highlights: Tika ceremonies, gift exchanges, and special meals.
Similar to Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj is a sweet festival where sisters pray for their brothers’ wellbeing and celebrate their bond with gifts and rituals.
Mewar Festival – Royal Traditions in the Land of Lakes
Date: 30 March – 1 April 2025
Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Highlights: Traditional parades, cultural shows, and fireworks over the lake.
One of the most culturally rich festivals of India, the Mewar Festival celebrates the arrival of spring with royal processions, folk dances, and the immersion of decorated idols in Lake Pichola.