[category]
[title]
Our country sits in the tropics, so for most parts of the year, we’re weeping sweat and dodging the sun, but come September, that status quo shifts, and for good. Why? Because it's FESTIVAL SEASON!
The weather shifts to a balmier, breezier temperature, opening up the great outdoors for public consumption; outdoor spots like parks and monuments become home to events and picnics, while open-air venues get a stacked calendar all the way until March, hosting music, art, and nature festivals.
What's more – India’s festival calendar is getting increasingly eclectic, with sprawling music gatherings sitting alongside art fairs, cultural showcases, wellness weekends and wonderfully niche celebrations. Take the recently concluded Akasa Gatheringz, for instance, which was a boutique wellness and music festival in the Ladakh desert, or even the upcoming Ziro Festival, which has a stacked lineup of musicians playing against the mighty hills of Arunachal Pradesh.
Whether you’re after big-name acts, experimental art, local traditions or simply a good excuse to leave town, these are the festivals worth having on your radar over the months ahead.
Casa Bacardi | Dehradun, Uttarakhand
For two days, all you’ll experience are mountain skies, live music and tropical cocktails, because the Casa Bacardi festival is as much a musical festival as it is an excuse to start drinking in the day. Beyond the stages, wander through the venue’s immersive workshops, engagement zones and pop-ups spanning some of the best names in F&B and fashion. All this with a glass of signature Bacardi cocktails.
As for the music, there’s a very Afro-forward lineup with Lost Frequencies, Maribou State, Moojo, Maxi Meraki and Nils Hoffmann. Others headlining the event include Solto, Nitefreak, Tech Panda and Kenzani, Kampai, Sublime Sound, Blue Attic and House of Tune Man.
When: Saturday to Sunday, October 3–4, 2026
Where: The Punarnava Resort, Garhi Cantt Chowk, Kimadi Lambidhar Bypass Road, Bhitarli, Dehradun
Tickets: Between ₹10,000 and ₹1,00,000
Anini Winter Fest | Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
This festival mixes music and adventure at one of the most happening valleys of Arunachal Pradesh in Dibang. The festival is promoted by the Arunachal Tourism Board.
Headlining the music festival are Kunal Ganjawala and UNB. We’d say go for the regional indie artists: Alo The Band, Moko Kaza, Khali Frame, Rageshree Rai and Aiom. It’s mostly rock, tribal-folk fusion and electronic. Since the lineup is expanding every day, expect two stages to be set up. And if you’re actually planning to attend, try camping under the starlit sky. Beyond the festival, the natural setting offers waterfalls, passes, sacred trails and homestays. Please don’t forget to apply online for the official Arunachal Pradesh ILP.
When: Saturday to Sunday, September 19–20, 2026
Where: Anini, Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Tickets: Varies between ₹1,999 and ₹3,500
Cicada Festival | Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
This three-day immersive fest is a perfect getaway for someone who’s equally into music and nature, because you may find yourself camping amidst the mountains of Himachal. Maybe that's why Cicada, somehow, gets to the core of your creative side.
Some 50 artists feature across the two stages of Cicada, alongside slow, crafted and creative experiences. The artist lineup is inextinguishable: Shubhank Sharma, Western Express Highway, Khalnayak, Lojal Experience, Saby & RD, The Raaga Fusion Project, Veena & Mahindro, Rachanachar, Stanley, Trippiyanka, Dharamkot Listening Sessions, Shira, Chirag Sharma and many more.
When: Friday to Sunday, October 2–4, 2026, 12pm–10pm
Where: Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
Tickets: ₹1,999–₹10,999
Goa Sunsplash Festival | Ashvem, Goa
This international festival has been a hub for reggae music in India for many years now. With the rising popularity of the genre across India, Sunsplash has taken its premium spot in the music scene, getting revived every January since 2016.
There’s a whole reggae culture beyond just the lineup, spread across multiple stages. The festival shuffles between roots, dub, dancehall and sound-system sessions, with artists like Johnny Osbourne, Luciano, Macka B, Channel One Sound System, Anthony B, Queen Omega, Killa P and General Levy having been part of the journey. This, and guaranteed time on the beach with good food and cocktails. Basically, Jamaican reggae with that Goan touch we need.
This year’s lineup is expected to come out soon.
When: Saturday to Sunday, January 16–17, 2026 | 12pm–10pm
Where: Thalassa Beach Boutique Resort, Ashvem, 251/4 Village Mandrem, Taluka, Pernem, Ashvem, Goa 403512, India
Tickets: ₹4,999 onwards
Hornbill Festival | Kohima, Nagaland
Every December, this year included, Nagaland turns up the volume for its legendary Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village, around 12 km south of capital Kohima. Launched by the Government of Nagaland in 2000, the festival was created to bring the state’s communities together and showcase its rich cultural heritage. Drawing cultural troupes from across Nagaland, the festival is named after a bird found in plenty in the state, the hornbill!
The 17 recognised tribes of the state, from Angami and Ao to Konyak, Sumi and Zeliang, represent their cultures using morungs, food, crafts and textiles. For its 10 days, the festival brings each community’s traditions to the forefront, with warrior dances, folk songs, indigenous games and local cuisine taking centre stage. The exact lineup changes each year; the basics, though, remain the same. Previous editions have featured Naga wrestling, chilli-eating contests, a night carnival in Kohima and live music spilling into the evenings.
Bonus: The central government is bringing the Hornbill Festival to Delhi on October 16 and 17 at Talkatora Stadium, in case a flight to Nagaland becomes tricky for folks to pull off.
When: December 1-10, 2026
Where: Kisama Heritage Village, roughly 12 km from Kohima, Nagaland
Tickets: ₹50-₹100; prices can vary. Tickets can be procured on-site.
NykaaLand Fashion Festival | Delhi
The festival feels like nothing less than a fancy walking closet, featuring all types of brands. From household labels like Vaseline and Swiss Beauty to limited-edition luxury ones like Moroccanoil and Kayali. Nykaaland has gained much traction, thanks to an army of influencers descending on the festival. The event will also feature more than a thousand beauty brands.
Not just that – expect a couple of masterclasses and lit-up dance floors, with expected performances by Bombay Rockers and Gurnazar. It is, indeed, bound to be India's 'biggest beauty playground'.
When: Monday to Tuesday, October 23–24, 2026
Where: Okhla NSIC Exhibition Ground, Delhi
Tickets: ₹1,299
India Art Festival | India
The contemporary art fair was founded in 2011 and has now swelled into a sturdy and sizeable art network. It has hosted editions in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Featuring emerging, independent artists along with mid-level and major art galleries, this year and next year, the festival is pit-stopping at more than one location. Here is the whole lineup:
Mumbai (Monsoon Edition): October 9-11, 2026, at Nehru Centre, Ground Floor, Worli, Mumbai 18
Mumbai (Winter Edition): January 29-31, 2027, at Nehru Centre, 2nd and Ground Floor, Worli, Mumbai 18
New Delhi (Spring, Debut Edition): February 26-28, 2027, at Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001
New Delhi (Winter Edition): November 20- 22, 2026, at Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001
Bengaluru Edition: December 11-13, 2026, at Palace Grounds, Gate No. 5, Bellary Road, Bengaluru 560080
Hyderabad (4th Edition): April 2-4, 2027, at Jubilee Hills Convention Centre, Road No. 51, Hyderabad 500
Sunburn India | Mumbai
The Chainsmokers, Sebastian Ingrosso and DJ Snake are setting up their stage in Mumbai this December for Sunburn 2026. Such big names and nothing else is always expected from Sunburn.
A popular and successful event that it is, Sunburn is known for its expensive production and a huge-ass crowd. The two-day festival is returning after its successful debut last year, featuring electronic, deep bass and EDM music. With its launch in Goa in 2007, the festival went on to feature artists such as Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Avicii, Hardwell and Tiësto. For some of them, it was their first time in India.
Clock in! Tickets vanish almost as soon as they are put on sale.
When: Friday to Saturday, December 18–19, 2026
Where: Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai
Tickets: ₹3,500 onwards
Ziro Festival | Arunachal Pradesh
Listening to live music surrounded by mist-covered mountains, a sky full of stars and endless paddy fields. That’s what your four days at Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh would look like. India’s first eco-friendly music festival is powering on since 2012, and has become easily one of the coolest Indian music festivals.
It supports local tribes and artists while also providing a platform for Indian and global indie talent. Unlike large LED screens and pyrotechnics, Ziro Fest uses locally sourced bamboo and wood to build stages, employing Apatani artisans from the locality for its infrastructure. It also follows a zero-plastic policy. Definitely ensure that you have an Inner Line Permit (ILP) if you’re an Indian citizen and a Protected Area Permit if you’re from overseas.
When: Thursday to Sunday, September 24–27, 2026
Where: Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Tickets: ₹11,200 onwards