Every May, Mount Abu comes alive in a way that's hard to describe until you've seen it yourself. The Mount Abu Summer Festival is three days of colour, noise, and energy, running from 17 to 19 May 2026.
From the folk dance performances and Nakki Lake events like the iconic boat race to late-night qawwali sessions that go on well past midnight, there's something happening every single hour at the Mount Abu Summer Festival.
It's Rajasthan's only hill station, and during these three days, it genuinely feels like the whole state shows up for it. Before you pack your bags, here's everything you need: dates, events, food, weather, and how to get there.
If you’re planning to attend the festival, you can also explore curated Mount Abu Tour Package options that cover key attractions along with the festival experience.
Mount Abu Summer Festival 2026 - Visitor Info
- Mount Abu Summer Festival Dates: 17–19 May 2026
- Main Venues: Nakki Lake, Polo Ground
- Morning–Afternoon: Competitions & activities
- Evening–Night: Main cultural shows + fireworks
- Tickets: Entry is free; Some competitions may require on-the-spot registration
pick your dates and build a package around it!
Mount Abu Summer Festival Events and Activities 2026
- Mount Abu Summer Festival boat race: A total crowd-puller that draws loud cheers from spectators lined up along the Nakki Lake, Mount Abu
- Rajasthani Folk Dance and Music Performances: The Mount Abu Summer Festival folk dance performances: Ghoomar, Gair, and Daph keep the culture alive and the crowd completely hooked
- Evening Music Programs (including Qawwali): Night sessions that genuinely hit different once the qawwali gets going
- Traditional Competitions: Tug of war and matka race pull everyone in and get the whole crowd hyped
- Band Performances: Live acts that hold the energy up and set the right mood through the night
- Fireworks Display: A big, loud send-off that wraps the entire festival up on a serious high
Mount Abu Summer Festival Weather: What to Expect in May
Mount Abu weather in May is warm but noticeably more comfortable than most parts of Rajasthan. Being a hill station, Mount Abu stays cooler, especially once the sun goes down.
- Daytime: 30°C to 36°C, sunny and dry. Carry water and wear light clothes.
- Evenings: Drops to 18°C to 22°C, genuinely pleasant, perfect for sitting through the cultural shows and night programs.
- Rain: Barely any. The weather stays dry and stable through the festival.
Food at Mount Abu Summer Festival
The festival grounds near Nakki Lake usually fill up with food stalls, and if past years are anything to go by, here's what you may expect to find:
- Classic Rajasthani Food: Expect Dal Bati Churma, Gatte ki Sabji, Ghoogri, and Pakori, the kind of home-style Rajasthani cooking that's hard to find this good anywhere else.
- Meat Dishes Worth Trying: Laal Maas and Mohan Maas tend to show up at most stalls. If you eat mutton, don't skip these.
- Street Food & Sweets: Pyaz ki Kachori, Makhaniya Lassi, Ghevar, Lapsi, and Malpua are some of the famous foods of Rajasthan; grab these as you walk around.
- Local Eateries Nearby: Places like Ambika Nasta House are a short distance from the festival and known for parathas and Rajasthani thalis, worth a stop if the stalls get crowded.
Nearby Places to Visit in Mount Abu During the Summer Festival
If you're planning your itinerary, the nearby places to visit along with the Mount Abu Summer Festival include a mix of temples, viewpoints, and short hikes that are all within easy reach of the main venues.
- Dilwara Temples: Centuries-old marble temples with carvings so detailed they're hard to believe are hand-done.
- Guru Shikhar: The highest point in the Aravalli Range; clean air, big views, worth the drive up.
- Toad Rock: For a bit more adventure, hike up to Toad Rock, a natural rock formation that looks exactly like a toad perched above the lake. It's a short, easy climb, and the view from the top is worth every step.
- Achalgarh Fort: Exploring Achalgarh Fort is one of the best things to do in Mount Abu. It is a solid piece of Mewar history sitting quietly on a hill, less crowded than most tourist spots.
- Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary: Good for a few hours if you're into nature. Decent birdwatching and some forest trails.
- Sunset Point: Most visited spot in Mount Abu, especially popular in the evenings. Fits naturally with the festival crowd.
Many travelers also combine Mount Abu with Udaipur for a more complete Rajasthan experience, which is a practical option if you’re short on time.
How to Reach Mount Abu, Rajasthan
1.How to Reach Mount Abu by Air
Mount Abu doesn't have its own airport. The two closest options are:
- Udaipur (UDR): About 185 km out. Flights come in from Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur.
- Avg flight time: 1–1.5 hrs from Delhi, ~1.5 hrs from Mumbai
- Route: Udaipur → NH27 → Mount Abu
- Road time: 3–4 hours
- Ahmedabad (AMD): About 221 km out. Often better connected to more cities.
- Avg flight time: 1–1.5 hrs from Delhi, ~1 hr from Mumbai
- Route: Ahmedabad → NH27 → Abu Road → Mount Abu
- Road time: 4–5 hours
2.By Train
- Honestly, this is how most people get here. Abu Road Station (ABR) is the nearest railhead, about 28 km from Mount Abu.
- Trains run from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad.
- Avg train time:
- Delhi → Abu Road: 12–14 hrs
- Mumbai → Abu Road: 10–12 hrs
- Ahmedabad → Abu Road: 5–6 hrs
- From Abu Road to Mount Abu:
- Route: Abu Road → NH27 → Hill road ascent → Mount Abu
- Time: 45 mins – 1 hour (taxi or RSRTC bus)
- From the station, taxis and RSRTC buses take you up the hill in about an hour.
3.By Road
- From Udaipur: ~185 km, via NH27: 4 hours
- From Ahmedabad: ~225 km, via NH62: 5 hours
- From Jodhpur: ~260 km, via NH62: 5 hours
RSRTC and private buses run regularly from nearby cities. Private taxis from Udaipur or Ahmedabad are the most convenient if you're traveling in a group.
If you’re already traveling this far, extending your itinerary to include Jawai and Udaipur with Mount Abu can make the trip more worthwhile.
Tips for Visiting Mount Abu Summer Festival 2026
- Start your mornings early: Competitions and activities kick off in the morning. If you sleep in, you'll miss half the action.
- Carry a light jacket: Days are warm but evenings cool down quickly. You'll thank yourself during the qawwali night.
- Register on the spot, to join a Race: Tug of war, matka race, boat race, just show up at the venue early and get your name in.
- Explore local eateries: They get crowded. Have a backup plan and check out local eateries nearby for a proper sit-down meal.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You'll be walking between Nakki Lake and Polo Ground more than you expect. Flip flops won't be enough.
- Stay for the fireworks: The closing night show is worth it. Don't head back to your hotel right after the cultural performances end.
- Book your stay early: Hotels near Nakki Lake and Polo Ground fill up fast during the festival.
Is the Mount Abu Summer Festival Worth the Trip?
Short answer: yes. Three days, two main venues, to keep you busy from morning till the fireworks wrap things up at night. Events around the Nakki Lake like the boat race, evening cultural shows, and qawwali nights by the water, are worth the trip alone.
The food stalls, the competitions, the crowd energy, it all adds up fast.
If you plan it right, the Mount Abu Summer Festival and nearby places to visit like Dilwara Temples, Guru Shikhar, and Sunset Point can easily fill the days. Come for the festival, stay for the rest of it.
