India doesn’t just celebrate festivals, it lives them. Every month brings a new reason to dance, decorate, and dig into mouthwatering food. Each festival may look different, from colors flying on Holi to lamps glowing on Diwali, but the joy they bring is the same across every state in India. So this time, let these celebrations be your reason to explore the country with exciting India trip packages that take you straight into the festive spirit.
What makes India truly special is how every corner celebrates something unique. While Kerala gets festive with Onam’s flower carpets and boat races, Punjab turns up the beats for Baisakhi, and West Bengal dazzles with Durga Puja.
And the best part? You don’t have to wait for a special season, India celebrates all year round! So pack your bags, bring your festive spirit, and get ready to explore the famous festivals of India!
1. Diwali (Festival of Lights)
Diwali is that time when the entire country lights up — literally! Streets shimmer with diyas, homes glow with fairy lights, and sweets become everyone’s love language. It’s a celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and family over everything.
From decorating homes to bursting crackers and sharing gifts, festive joy is everywhere you go. No wonder Diwali is the most famous festival in India, celebrated for its warmth, colors, and the magic that brings people together in one bright celebration.
- Best States to Experience It: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi
Suggested Read: 15 Best Cities for Christmas Celebrations in India 2025
2. Holi (Festival of Colors)
If there’s one festival that turns the whole country into a rainbow, it’s Holi! Buckets of water, clouds of gulal, dhol beats, and laughter fill the streets as people celebrate love, friendship, and pure happiness.
It’s one of those famous festivals of India that truly captures the playful side of Indian culture. From traditional songs to bhang-fueled dancing, it’s a day when everyone forgets their worries and embraces the colors of joy.
Best States to Experience It: Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan
After a month of fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr arrives with mouthwatering food, family gatherings, and heartfelt wishes of “Eid Mubarak!” The aroma of biryani, kebabs, and seviyan fills the air while everyone dresses in their best.
It’s one of the popular festivals in India that celebrates compassion, gratitude, and community. Mosques light up, homes open their doors, and the whole country joins in the festive warmth.
- Best States to Experience It: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Delhi
Jingle bells, fairy lights, and the scent of plum cakes, Christmas brings a cozy charm across India. Churches glow with candles, streets sparkle with decorations, and everyone’s humming carols.
Whether it’s midnight mass or beachside Christmas parties, the vibe is pure joy. It’s easily one of the most famous festivals in India, blending tradition, togetherness, and celebration into one magical season.
- Best States to Experience It: Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya
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Navratri is nine nights of pure joy, color, and devotion! People dance the night away with garba and dandiya, dress in vibrant outfits, and worship the fierce Goddess Durga. Each region adds its own unique twist, Gujarat rocks with non-stop dancing, while West Bengal celebrates with grandeur and devotion.
The energy, music, and lights make it one of the famous festivals of India, bringing people together in faith and fun. Whether you’re dancing or just soaking in the vibe, Navratri is all about good energy and festive spirit.
- Best States to Experience It: Gujarat, West Bengal, Maharashtra
Dussehra celebrates the ultimate victory of good over evil as Lord Rama defeats Ravana. Towns light up with fireworks, giant effigies burn, and Ramlila performances fill the air with excitement.
It’s one of the popular festivals in India that reminds everyone that truth and goodness always win. Each region has its own grand style, from Mysore’s royal processions to Delhi’s lively fairs, making it a celebration of courage and joy across the country.
Best States to Experience It: Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka
Durga Puja is one giant celebration of art, devotion, and happiness! Gorgeous idols, creative pandals, rhythmic dhak beats, and delicious food make this festival a complete cultural experience.
It’s not just about worship but also about community, music, and joy. As one of the most famous festivals in India, it brings people together to honor Goddess Durga and celebrate strength, love, and victory.
Best States to Experience It: West Bengal, Assam, Odisha
Ganesh Chaturthi is when the beloved Lord Ganesha arrives, bringing music, devotion, and pure happiness! The streets come alive with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” colorful decorations, and the aroma of modaks.
Families and communities welcome Bappa into their homes with love and celebration. It’s one of the famous festivals in India that perfectly captures the spirit of togetherness, creativity, and joy.
- Best States to Experience It: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka
9. Pongal / Makar Sankranti
Pongal and Makar Sankranti mark the harvest season, when farmers thank the Sun God and celebrate nature’s abundance. The skies fill with colorful kites, bonfires light up the night, and homes smell of freshly made sweets like til laddoos and pongal rice.
It’s that cheerful time of year when the whole country feels festive and grateful. As one of the famous festivals of India, it’s all about joy, tradition, and community bonding under bright winter skies.
Best States to Experience It: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka
Onam is Kerala’s grandest festival, a ten-day celebration of unity, tradition, and culture! The state bursts with flower carpets, snake boat races, folk dances, and feasts that will make any foodie smile.
It celebrates the homecoming of King Mahabali and the spirit of prosperity. With its colorful energy and heartwarming rituals, Onam easily earns its place among the most famous festivals in India, where every moment feels like a vibrant painting of joy.
Best States to Experience It: Kerala
Raksha Bandhan is that adorable day when teasing turns into love and promises! Sisters tie colorful rakhis on their brothers’ wrists, and in return, get gifts, hugs, and maybe a bit of emotional blackmail for more presents.
It’s one of the famous festivals of India that celebrates the pure bond of sibling love, a mix of laughter, nostalgia, and endless selfies. Whether you’re together or miles apart, Rakhi is all about cherishing that childhood chaos forever
Best States to Experience It: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi
Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab, marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The celebration is filled with soulful kirtans, glowing gurdwaras, and heartwarming langars (community meals).
It’s one of the most famous festivals in India that beautifully promotes equality, humility, and service to humanity. The peaceful devotion and sense of unity during Gurpurab make it a truly inspiring experience for all.
Best States to Experience It: Punjab, Delhi, Haryana
Baisakhi is all about joy, dance, and harvest celebrations! It marks the Punjabi New Year and the season of abundance, celebrated with bhangra, dhol beats, and delicious feasts. Farmers rejoice in their hard work, while the spiritual side honors the formation of the Khalsa.
It’s one of the popular festivals in India that perfectly blends culture, faith, and festivity in a burst of color and cheer.
- Best States to Experience It: Punjab, Haryana
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Eid-ul-Adha, or Bakrid, brings families together with feasts, prayers, and heartfelt gratitude. The aroma of biryani fills the air, laughter flows freely, and homes welcome everyone with warmth.
It’s one of those famous festivals in India that’s all about sharing, compassion, and spreading joy. You can feel the spirit of togetherness in every handshake, smile, and meal served.
Best States to Experience It: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Delhi
Chhath Puja is one of those rare festivals that’s as peaceful as it is powerful. Devotees gather by rivers and ponds to thank the Sun God, offering prayers during stunning sunrise and sunset rituals.
The sight of women standing knee-deep in water with diyas glowing around them is absolutely mesmerizing. It’s one of the famous festivals in India that celebrates faith, purity, and nature in the most beautiful way. The whole atmosphere feels calm yet deeply spiritual.
Best States to Experience It: Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
Lohri is winter’s warmest goodbye, celebrated with bonfires, dhol beats, and endless munching on popcorn, gajak, and peanuts! Families gather around the fire, sing folk songs, and dance away the chill of January nights.
It’s one of the famous festivals in India that celebrates harvest, togetherness, and pure Punjabi zest. The laughter, food, and firelight make Lohri the perfect blend of warmth and happiness.
Best States to Experience It: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi
Mahashivratri is when the night belongs to Lord Shiva, and devotees stay up chanting, meditating, and celebrating the cosmic energy. Temples overflow with prayers, bells, and flowers, while the aroma of incense fills the air.
It’s one of the famous festivals in India that reflects deep devotion and spiritual awakening. Whether you’re in a temple or on a mountain top, Mahashivratri feels like a soulful journey within.
Best States to Experience It: Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Janmashtami is the ultimate birthday bash for Lord Krishna! The day is full of fasting, singing bhajans, and reenacting scenes from Krishna’s life. And let’s not forget the fun “Dahi Handi” competitions where teams form human pyramids to break pots of curd.
The streets come alive with energy, devotion, and colors, making it one of the famous festivals in India that beautifully blends spirituality and joy.
Best States to Experience It: Uttar Pradesh (Mathura & Vrindavan), Gujarat, Maharashtra
Karva Chauth is all about love and patience, married women fast all day for the long life of their husbands and break it only after seeing the moon. It’s one of the famous festivals in India that celebrates marriage in the most heartfelt way.
The excitement of dressing up, applying mehendi, and waiting for moonrise gives the day a magical, romantic vibe that feels straight out of a Bollywood movie!
Best States to Experience It: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan
Buddha Purnima is a peaceful celebration of Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and nirvana, all in one day! Temples glow with lamps, monks chant prayers, and people spread kindness and calm everywhere.
It’s one of the famous festivals in India that radiates serenity instead of noise, reminding everyone to slow down and find their inner peace. The vibe is calm, pure, and deeply uplifting.
- Best States to Experience It: Bihar (Bodh Gaya), Sikkim, Ladakh
Suggested Read: 11 Interesting Festivals In India In June 2025
And there you have it, a colorful ride through the famous festivals in India! From the lights of Diwali to the colors of Holi, from the beats of Baisakhi to the devotion of Durga Puja, every celebration here has its own charm and chaos. But here’s the thing, it’s not just about the festival itself. It’s about the unity in diversity, the way people from all walks of life, no matter their religion, join in the celebration, sharing joy, food, and laughter together.
So, whether you’re planning your next trip or just love soaking in vibrant cultures, make sure you time it around one of these festivals. It’s the best way to truly feel India!
