The last month of the year is a time of celebration and merriment. It is also a time to look back at the good times and forget about the bad ones as one moves on to a glorious new year. And then there are some really cool & fascinating festivals in December that are celebrated in different cities of India.
Top 2024 Events & Festivals In December In India
While some are culturally enriching, others are truly lively & enthralling. So, let us gear up to know in the details about these festivals in December 2024 in India.
- Rann Utsav
- Hornbill Festival
- Hot Air Balloon Festival
- Perumthitta Tharavad
- Magnetic Fields Festival
- Chennai Music Festival
- Karthigai Deepam
- Galdan Namchot
- Cochin Carnival
- Kumbhalgarh Festival
- Feast Of Francis Xavier
- Christmas
- Bishnupur Festival
- Winter Festival
- New Year’s Eve
1. Rann Utsav
Kutch, one of the largest salt deserts in the world, celebrates the Rann Mahotsav by showcasing & demonstrating the authentic Gujarati culture. The mesmerizing cultural extravaganza of India includes colorful & vibrant folk performances, enthralling adventure sports, and ethnic gigs. All of this, in addition to the traditional cuisine & the impeccable hospitality, makes Rann Mahotsav one of the most awe-inspiring festivals celebrated in India.
Where: Kutch, Gujarat
Key attractions: Musical performances, dance shows, camel riding, horse riding, photography, archery, and paramotoring
Dates: 1st November 2021 – 20th February 2022
Must Read: 24 Mesmerising Places To Visit In Kutch On Your Next 2024 Vacation
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2. Hornbill Festival
Hornbill Festival is one of the most mesmerizing festivals celebrated In India in December. The celebrations include folk dances, songs, and performances by the traditional warrior tribes of the state. Celebrated in the village of Kisama, 12 km from Kohima, this festival displays local heritage, food, culture, handicrafts, handlooms, and games.
Where: Kohima, Nagaland
Key attractions: War dance, headhunting rituals, Hornbill National Rock Concert, rice beer, Night market and car and bike adventure sports.
Dates: 1st – 10th December 2022
Suggested Read: 10 Must-Attend Music Festivals In Hill Stations Of India
3. Hot Air Balloon Festival
Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of unique December festivals of India, organized by Karnataka Tourism in parts of Mysore, Hampi, and Bidar. People enjoy the sheer joy of flying high above the ground in the stunningly bright balloons.
Where: Karnataka
Key attractions: Vibrant looking balloons and bird’s eye view of heritage structures of Mysore & Hampi
Dates: Entire month of December 2022
Suggested Read: Top 19 Winter Festivals In India You Must Attend In 2024!
4. Perumthitta Tharavad
Perumthitta Tharavad – one of the most popular December festivals of India – is celebrated with great glamor & grandeur. The dance depicts stories around mythological & historical characters are depicted on this occasion by way of Theyyam, a traditional dance form of Kerala.
Where: Kottamkuzhy, Kerala
Key attractions: Traditional music & dance, mime, and ancient tribal performances
Dates: December 2024
Suggested Read: 12 Festivals In Kerala To Experience The Rich Traditions Of God’s Own Country In 2024!
5. Magnetic Fields Festival
This is one of the most awe-inspiring events and festivals in December in India 2024, where budding talents from India & abroad are given a stage to perform their talents in front of a large audience. This 3-day long camping festival showcases the Rajasthani heritage & hospitality through workshops, musical gigs, a buffet of Rajasthani delicacies, and enthralling adventure sports.
Where: Alsisar
Key attractions: Kite flying competition, morning yoga, treasure hunt, secret parties, cooking & music workshops, stargazing in the desert, and desert camping
Dates: December, 2024
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6. Chennai Music Festival
The Chennai Music Festival is one of the most famous and talked about cultural festivals of India. The month-long cultural fiesta features classical & dance performances, lovely instrumental music, and awesome drama.
Where: Chennai
Key attractions: Instrumental recitals of violin, flute, veena, & mridanga, dance performances like Bharatnatyam & Mohini Natyam, and classical vocals
Dates: December 2024
7. Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam or the festival of lights is one of the most glamorous looking festivals of December. The cheerful & vibrant festival aims to welcome the positive things and eradicate the negativity & the evils. Temples and households are decorated with clay lamps and diyas. The ceremony starts by lighting a huge fire on the top of the hill. This is considered to be a sacred activity as many people gather to witness this. This is a South Indian Hindu festival in December.
Where: Tamil Nadu
Key attractions: Fairs, fireworks, and feasts
Dates: December 2024
8. Galdan Namchot
Galdan Namchot is one of the most glamorous entries in the list of Indian festivals. It marks the advent of New Year in Ladakh and the birthday & Buddhahood of the Tibetan saint-scholar, Tsongkhapa. All the monasteries & heritage buildings are decorated as the locals get ready to enjoy the festival with dance & music.
Where: Leh, Ladakh
Key attractions: Preparation of all kinds of local food and gifting of Khatak – a ceremonial scarf – to friends and relatives
Dates: December 2024
Suggested Read: 12 Festivals Of Ladakh In 2024 That Celebrate The Life In The Valley
9. Cochin Carnival
Cochin Carnival, one of the most famous Indian festivals, is a cultural feast that is celebrated with absolute cheerfulness and enthusiasm. Along with musical performances & cultural gigs, the celebrations include a grand parade that features elephants in ornamental trappings, folk music, and people in their best colorful attire.
Where: Cochin, Kerala
Key attractions: Continuous playing of Panchavadyam (the blend of 5 instrumental music), beach volleyball, beach football, and beach bike race
Dates: 25th December 2022 – 1st January 2023
10. Kumbhalgarh Festival
Kumbhalgarh Festival is one of the top cultural festivals celebrated in December in India. The celebration includes cultural activities and people can partake in these activities. The festival goes on for three days with different activities each day. As the name suggests, the festival is held near the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort in Udaipur.
Where: Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur
Key attractions: Dance & music performances, art & craft workshops, puppet shows, and exhibitions.
Dates: 8th -9th January 2022
Suggested Read: 47 Glamorous Places To Visit In Udaipur In The Year 2024 For A Laidback Holiday!
11. Feast Of Francis Xavier
Feast of Francis Xavier is one of the many annual festivals celebrated in winter in India. The mummy of Francis Xavier is showcased in the Basilica in Goa. This day of the festival is marked as the anniversary of his burial and thus a feast is conducted wherein the residents of Goa enjoy. He was a Christian missionary who came to India in order to spread his religion.
Where: Bom Jesus Basilica of Old Goa
Key attractions: Rituals, celebrations, mass, fair, and feast.
Dates: 3rd December 2022
Suggested Read: 41 Best Places To Visit In North Goa In 2024 For A Kick-Ass Beach Holiday!
12. Christmas
Christmas, celebrated all over India with a galore of happiness and joy, is one of the most popular and prevalent festivals celebrated in India in December. People of all ages join in the celebrations. People dress up in their best festival dresses, decorate their houses with Christmas trees, exchange gifts, and relish yummy Christmas cake. The seniors of the family dress up as Santa Claus to present the young ones with gifts and goodies.
Where: Pan India
Key attractions: Midnight mass followed by wine & cake, Christmas carols, decorations, and people dressed up as Santa Claus
Dates: 25th December 2024
Suggested Read: 36 Most Famous Festivals Of India You Must Experience In 2024
13. Bishnupur Festival
Bishnupur festival, one of the regionally celebrated Indian festivals, is held every year in the last week of December. A grand fair (Mela) is organized on the temple ground where stalls are put up to display & sell local handicrafts, handloom, and food. Different cultural events like folk music and dances are also organized during the festival. This is one of the most interesting events in December 2024, India.
Where: Bishnupur, West Bengal
Key attractions: Stalls selling silk sarees, handlooms, printed silk scarfs, and stunning terracotta sculptures
Dates: December 2024
14. Winter Festival
Winter Festival is considered as one of the most mesmerizing festivals in December. A colorful festival of Rajasthan, it is celebrated with fun and frolic. Artisans from all over the country gather here to showcase their artwork and handicrafts. The festival celebrations also include music and dance performances like Daph, Ghoomar, and Gair.
Where: Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Key attractions: Boating and rowing competitions in Nakki Lake, kite flying, spectacular fireworks,
Dates: December 2024
Suggested Read: 25 Stunningly Colorful Festivals Of Rajasthan That You Should Not Miss In 2024
15. New Year’s Eve
The New Year is greeted with joy and happiness everywhere in India as people express the cheer and glee of the upcoming new days through fabulous parties, amazing food, and enthralling performances & shows. Most of the top-listed clubs, pubs, hotels, restaurants, and resorts host grand parties on New Year’s Eve. Many even organize house parties and greet the New Year with a warm heart.
Where: Pan India
Key attractions: Lavish buffet spread of World cuisine, live band & DJ, rock music, lively parties, and splendid gigs
Dates: 31st December 2024
Further Read: 28 Best New Year Parties In Delhi (2024)
Aren’t the above-mentioned festivals in December in India truly amazing? So, what are you waiting for? Plan a holiday in India to celebrate these Indian festivals in December in India 2024. Make sure you witness these festivals this year and ring in the New Year while celebrating.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In December
Which are the religious festivals celebrated in India in December?
There are several religious festivals celebrated in India at different months of the year. But there are just a few falling in the month of December, including:
Christmas – All over India
Hornbill Festival – Nagaland
Losoong Festival – Sikkim
Which landmark in India celebrated 4th December every year?
4th of December is observed and celebrated as Navy Day in India, every year. This day is celebrated to honour and express gratitude towards the brave contribution of Indian Naval Forces.
What is Christmas in India called?
Christmas in India is called ‘Bada Din’ which means the ‘Big Day’, referring to the day of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Which are the national festivals in India?
India, being a country of diversities, celebrated numerous festivals throughout the year. The National Festivals of India include:
1. Maha Shivratri
2. Makar Sankranti
3. Holi
4. Easter
5. Independence Day
6. Eid al-Fitr
7. Ganesh Chaturthi
8. Raksha Bandhan
9. Onam
10. Navratri
11. Diwali
12. Christmas
Which are the most popular India tour packages for December?
Some of the most popular India tour packages for December are:
Sikkim-Darjeeling-Gangtok Tour Packages
Andaman Tour Packages
North East Tour Packages
Goa Tour Packages
Kerala Tour Packages
Kashmir Tour Packages
Which festival is celebrated in winter in India?
This is the list of festivals in India in winter:
1. Gujarat Kite Festival
2. Lohri
3. Magh Bihu
4. Winter Carnival Manali
Which festivals come in spring season?
The Indian festivals that come in Spring season are:
1. Easter
2. Thrissur Pooram
3. Baisakhi
4. Holi
Which festival is celebrated in winter?
The festivals that are celebrated in India during Winter are:
1. Songkran Water Festival
2. Passover
3. Navroz
4. Holla Mohalla
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
