Plan your year around India's most vibrant celebrations. This festival travel india calendar covers Holi in Mathura, Pushkar Camel Fair, Hornbill Festival, Onam in Kerala, and more — with dates, locations, and tips for joining a group travel trip around each one.
Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan
Holi (typically March) is celebrated nowhere more intensely than Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, the legendary birthplace of Krishna, where celebrations stretch across multiple days including the famous "Lathmar Holi" in Barsana. Accommodation books up weeks ahead, and prices roughly double during the festival window.
Pushkar Camel Fair
The Pushkar Camel Fair, typically held in November in Rajasthan, combines livestock trading with folk performances and a temporary tent city, drawing both domestic and international visitors. It is one of the most distinctive cultural events to plan a trip around, with camel and cattle trading happening alongside cultural competitions.
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland
The Hornbill Festival, held the first week of December in Kisama near Kohima, showcases all of Nagaland's major tribes in one location — traditional dances, indigenous food, crafts, and music performances. It is the single best window to experience Naga culture in concentrated form.
Onam in Kerala
Onam (typically August-September) is Kerala's biggest festival, marked by elaborate flower arrangements (pookalam), the Vallam Kali snake boat races, and the Onasadya feast — a vegetarian meal served on banana leaves with over 20 dishes. Alleppey's boat races draw especially large crowds.
Planning Festival Travel
Festival dates often shift year to year based on lunar calendars, so confirming exact dates 2-3 months ahead is essential for booking transport and accommodation. Many travelers specifically seek a companion for festival trips through Luventra, since navigating large crowds and securing scarce accommodation is considerably easier with company.