Music, Sun, sea, colorful clothes, folk dance, and happy faces—summer doesn’t only bring scorching heat in India, but a lot of lively festivals that make the whole country rejoice. Summer festivals in India paint the country with a million vibrant colors that attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The following list of summer festivals in India tells you about some popular ones celebrated during the summer season in India. While some festivals celebrate the culture of different regions, others let you get immersed in religious colors.
12 Best Summer Festivals In India In 2024
Before you read ahead, here is a list of summer festivals in India with dates in the year 2024 for each festival featured in this blog! So, get ready for a smooth and thrilling vacay like never before!
- Gangaur – March 25th – April 11th
- Baisakhi – April 13th
- Chithirai Festival – April 11th – 28th
- Moatsu Festival – May
- Mount Abu Summer Festival – June, During Buddh Poornima
- Ooty Flower Festival – May 17- 22
- Yercaud Summer Festival – May 21- 28
- Shimla Summer Festival – May/June
- Sikkim Summer Festival – February 21- 27
- Hemis Festival – June 10th- 23rd
- Kollam Pooram – 15th April
- Pahela Baishakh – 15th April
1. Gangaur – March 25th – April 11th
Gangaur is one of the most iconic summer festivals in India, celebrated in various parts of Rajasthan, particularly in Jaipur. Amongst all the festivals of Rajasthan, Gangaur is considered the most important one. It commences on the day following Holi and witnesses devotees worshipping Goddess Gauri with magnificent passion and spectacular grandeur for 16-18 days. If you happen to be in Rajasthan during Gangaur, experience the splendid processions and Rajasthani folk music, Moreover, you can experience the dance, puppet shows, sumptuous food stalls, and astounding fireworks. Thus, you can have a wholesome experience by being a part of this festival.
Where: Rajasthan
Key Attractions Of Gangaur: Puppet show and folk dances like Kalbelia Dance
Dates For Gangaur 2024: March 25th – April 11th
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2. Baisakhi –April 13th
Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is one the most colorful festivals in summer in India. The Punjabi community celebrates this festival to mark the new year by harvesting rabi crops. The farmers wear new colorful dresses, cook delicious food, and honor this new beginning with traditional dance and music, enacting farming stages, wrestling, and fairs. Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi as a collective birthday of the “Khalsa Brotherhood” created by the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in the year 1699. The people of Sikh community celebrate this auspicious occasion with holy prayer, cooking Kara prasad or sweetened semolina and langar (community lunch).
Where: Punjab and Haryana
Key Attractions Of Baisakhi: Bhangra and Gidda dance
Dates For Baisakhi In 2024: April 13th
3. Chithirai Festival – April 11th – 28th
Chithirai is festival in summer season of South India. It is held in Meenakshi Temple of Madurai. Pulling of golden chariot with idols, drum beats, offering of sweets, and flowers incense sticks are the major highlights of this festival. A grand fair is also organized for 10 days to celebrate Chithirai. This surely makes it one of the most interesting festivals in India during summer.
Where: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Key Attractions Of Chithirai: Re-enacting of the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar
Dates For Chithirai 2024: April 11th – 28th
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4. Moatsu Festival – May
The Moatsu festival is celebrated for 3 days in the first week of May. The main purpose of this festival is to bring joy, fun, and excitement in the tribe community after stressful activities like clearing fields, burning the jungles, sowing seeds, clearing the wells, and repairing houses. The Ao Naga tribal communities celebrate Moatsu festival with renewed enthusiasm and happiness. In fact, it is one of the most fun festivals in summer season in India, celebrated with folk music, tribal dance, eating and drinking. So, if you are looking for upcoming festivals in India, the Moatsu festival is one of them.
Where: Nagaland
Key Attractions Of Moatsu festival: Sangpangtu, which is a significant part of Moatsu where a huge fire is lit and women serve meat and wine to the men and kids sitting around the fire.
Dates For Moatsu Festival In 2024: May
5. Mount Abu Summer Festival – June, During Buddh Poornima
Against the backdrop of rugged mountains and sparkling Nakki lake, the summer festival of Mount Abu is a heaven for music lovers and is among the festivals of summer season . Organized by Rajasthan Tourism Department, it is one of the most talked-about cultural festivals in summer season in India. It is a 2 day fiesta that features a traditional rally around Nakki Lake, performances of folk dances, music, puppet show, magic shows, tug of war, boat race, Matka race, and exquisite fireworks.
Where: Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Key Attractions Of Mount Abu Summer Festival: Gair and Ghoomar dance performances and Sham-e-Qawwali
Dates For Mount Abu Summer Festival 2024: June, During Buddh Poornima
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6. Ooty Flower Festival – May 17- 22
Also known as Ooty Flower Festival, this is one of the popular seasonal festivals of India, particularly in the Nilgiris. Summer is the peak season in Ooty and the fiesta enhances the charm of the place. Along with the stunning flower show, the celebration features variety of spectacular events like fairs, fruit, art exhibitions, and adventure activities like trekking.
Where: Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Key Attractions Of Ooty Summer Festival: Flower show at Ooty Botanical Garden with more than 150 varieties of flowers from different countries, flower rangolis, floral arrangements and vegetable carvings.
Dates For Ooty Flower Festival 2024: May 17- 22
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7. Yercaud Summer Festival – May 21- 28
Summer Festival is the most talked about event in Yercaud which runs for 3 days. Flower shows, dog shows, horse riding, folk dance performances, cooking, and rangoli competitions are the prime highlights of the festival. So, while you’re looking for a fun festival to experience the best of summer vibes around, make sure you visit this one for a tour of the best carnival vibes!
Where: Yercaud, Tamil Nadu
Key Attractions Of Yercaud Summer Festival: Floral arrangements using one lakh flowers by Horticulture Department
Dates For Yercaud Summer Festival 2024: May 21- 28
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8. Shimla Summer Festival – May/June
Shimla organizes this festival to mark the advent of soothing summer in this spectacular hill station and to allure tourists. If you have chosen Shimla for summer holidays, be a part of this festival and enjoy the various exhibitions of local handicrafts, family games, ice skating shows, food exhibitions, flower shows, photography contests, poster making competitions and live theater. Live performances by amateur and renowned artists from different countries are definitely the showstopper of this summer season festival in India. While you’re out and about in Shimla, make sure you don’t miss out on one of the most beautiful festivals during summer season in India!
Where: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Key Attractions Of Shimla Summer Festival: Himachali Film festival
Dates For Shimla Summer Festival 2024: May/June
9. Sikkim Summer Festival – February 21- 27
Unlike other festivals celebrated in summer season in India, Sikkim Summer Festival is a month-long celebration. It features entertaining cultural shows, local food festivals, white water rafting in Teesta, Sikkimese folk dances, showcase of films on Sikkim tourism, local handicrafts exhibitions and stunning flower shows displaying orchids, rhododendrons and primulas. So, are you ready to enjoy one of the most glorious Indian summer festivals yet?
Where: Gangtok, Sikkim
Key Attractions Of Sikkim Summer Festival: Thrilling yak safari in the outskirts of Gangtok
Dates For Sikkim Summer Festival 2024: February 21- 27
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10. Hemis Festival – June 10th- 23rd
In the list of summer festivals of India, Hemis is a popular festival celebrated in Hemis monastery in Ladakh. This cultural merriment is celebrated with huge grandeur and the lamas wear fine silk apparels and masks and perform dances to represent the marvelous achievements of Padmasambhava–Indian Buddhist master of 8th-century. The festival is celebrated for 2 days and ends with a sacrificial offering on the second day. Hence, plan your trip to Ladakh in a way you can experience this festival.
Where: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
Key Attractions Of Hemis Festival: Mask dances by lamas of Hemis Monastery
Dates For Hemis Festival 2024: June 10th- 23rd
11. Kollam Pooram – 15th April
Image Credit: Pranav Mohan for Wikimedia Commons
If you are visiting Kerala in April, then you must attend the Kollam Pooram Festival that is held every year. Organized at Asramam Maidan, Kollam Pooram attracts a lot of travelers. Dedicated to Lord Krishnaswamy, this festival is celebrated grandly at Sri Krishnaswamy Temple in Kollam. The priests perform rituals and the temple is decorated with fresh flowers. For witnessing the traditions and culture of Kerala you should attend this festival on your vacay.
Where: Kerala
Key Attractions Of Kollam Pooram: folk dances
Dates For Kollam Pooram 2024: 15th April
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12. Pahela Baishakh – 15th April
Image Credit: Abidhasan for Wikimedia Commons
Celebrated on 15th April every year in West Bengal, Pahela Baishakh is the first day in the Bengali Calendar. Pahela Baishakh is known as Bengali New Year and is an eminent festival for the locals. Fairs and rallies are organized and the streets are crowded with people dancing and enjoying the festivities. Become a part of the New Year celebrations in West Bengal by heading to Kolkata and get a closer look at the traditions of the locals.
Where: West Bengal
Key Attractions Of Pahela Baishakh: Fairs, rallies, and dance performances
Dates For Pahela Baishakh 2024: 15th April 2024
Further Read: 12 Festivals Of Ladakh
We hope this complete list of summer festivals celebrated in different states of India helps you decide where do you want to travel this summer. Plan a soothing trip to India to have a lifetime experience. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and plan that trip you’ve been wanting to go from a very long time!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Festivals In India
What are the different types of festivals?
Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Holi and Durga Puja are some of the different types of festivals.
Which is the national festival of India?
Republic Day, Indpendence Day and Gandhi Jayanti are considered to be the national festivals of India.
What are traditional festivals?
A festival is an occasion celebrated by a community of group of people which focuses on some characteristic of those related people in the group, religion or culture. Traditional festivals symbolises a tradition followed by such community or group of people.
How many festivals are celebrated in India?
Every state in India celebrates about 20 to 30 grand festivals at different times of the year. Ganesh Chaturthi, Independence Day, Holi, Deepavali, Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Eid, and Pongal are some of the most important festivals of India. From some really popular festivals to unusual festivals in India celebrations go on throughout the year.
Which festival is celebrated during summer in Rajasthan?
The Summer Festival is organized and celebrated in the only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu. It is held annually during May or June on Budh Poornima.
Which festivals in India are celebrated during springtime?
Holi, Navroze, Baisakhi, Easter and Magh Bihu are some of the festivals that are celebrated during springtime in India.
Which festival marks the beginning of the spring season?
Pongal a popular festival in South India is celebrated during the inception of the winter season. The festival lasts for 4 days and each day prayer is offered to different deities like fire, sun, cattle, and birds.
Which state in India is known as the land of festivals?
Nagaland, one of the states in the north-eastern province of India is known as the “Land of Festivals”.
Why are Indian festivals important?
Festival is an auspicious day or period of religious celebration prevalent in all societies and religious communities. Festivals are an important part of our life as they are associated with religion and deities.
Which city is known as ‘City of Festivals’?
Madurai in Tamil Nadu is known as the ‘City of Festivals’ in India. Many festivals are celebrated here with a lot of pomp and show.
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