Rajasthan is a vibrant land known for its rich culture, royal heritage, and deep-rooted traditions. Its charm lies in its colorful festivals and lively celebrations. The best way to experience this cultural richness is by joining the local fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. Visitors are warmly welcomed and can take part in the festivities just like the locals.
Summers in Rajasthan bring intense heat, but they also offer a unique chance to witness the region’s rich heritage and culture. Many cultural programs take place during this time, where artists showcase traditional folk music and dance in bright, colorful attire, creating a lively and unforgettable experience.
Summer is also a great time to savor Rajasthan’s delicious cuisine and traditional sweets. The season is filled with vibrant festivals and lively fairs, offering visitors a chance to enjoy local flavors while experiencing the state’s rich cultural celebrations.
Here are the top festivals of Rajasthan
International Kite Festival
The Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival, held from January 8 to 14, 2025, at the Polo Ground in Jodhpur, is Rajasthan’s grand celebration of Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival. While this festival is observed across India in different ways, Rajasthan marks the occasion with vibrant kite-flying traditions, making it a highlight of the International Kite Festival circuit.
Jodhpur takes the celebrations a step further by releasing kites with helicopters, filling the sky with a spectacular display of colors. Hundreds of kites soar together, creating a mesmerizing sight, while children add to the charm by releasing clusters of balloons into the air.
This festival is not just about flying kites but also about community spirit, friendly competitions, and enjoying the festive atmosphere. With its colorful skies and lively celebrations, the Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival is a must-visit event for locals and tourists alike, showcasing the vibrant festivals of Rajasthan.
Bikaner Camel Festival
The Bikaner Camel Festival, held from January 13 to 15, 2025, at Karni Singh Stadium in Bikaner, is a grand two-day celebration dedicated to Rajasthan’s beloved camels. This festival, much like other camel fairs in the region, showcases the beauty and strength of these magnificent animals through camel races, games, and beauty contests.
Beyond the camel events, visitors can enjoy folk music, dance performances, and traditional art displays, immersing themselves in Rajasthan’s rich culture. The fairground is bustling with souvenir stalls and food vendors, offering a variety of local delicacies. The festival ends each evening with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the desert sky.
Jaipur Literature Festival
The Jaipur Literature Festival, held from January 30 to February 3, 2025, at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur, is the world’s largest free literary festival. While it may not be as colorful as Rajasthan’s cultural festivals, it is a prestigious gathering of literary minds, attracting Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, debut novelists, and renowned authors.
Over five days, visitors can attend book readings, panel discussions, debates, and seminars, covering a wide range of topics. The festival also features numerous book stalls, allowing attendees to explore and purchase literary works. As one of the most celebrated festivals of Rajasthan, the Jaipur Literature Festival captivates book lovers and thinkers from around the world with its intellectual depth and engaging discussions.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a vibrant three-day celebration held from February 22 to 24, 2025, at the Sam Dunes in Jaisalmer. This festival showcases the charm of Rajasthan’s desert culture with a mix of competitions, performances, and traditional activities.
Visitors can enjoy unique events like the mustache competition, Mr. Desert contest, folk dance and music performances, gymnastic stunts, and puppet shows. The fairground is lined with stalls offering local delicacies and handcrafted souvenirs, making it a lively experience for travelers. Set against the golden dunes, this festival is a perfect blend of culture, entertainment, and the mesmerizing beauty of the Thar Desert.
Sacred Festival
The Sacred Festival is a music and spirituality festival held at Jaipur Ghat in Pushkar from February 14 to February 26, 2025. Pushkar, known for its religious significance, hosts this festival to bring musicians together in a celebration of spiritual harmony.
The event features soulful music performances, holistic therapies, heritage walks, and interactive workshops. A bustling market near Jaipur Ghat offers a variety of souvenirs, traditional delicacies, and artisanal crafts. As one of the vibrant festivals of Rajasthan, this celebration is designed to refresh the mind and soul, making it a unique cultural experience in the region.
Nagaur Camel Fair
The Nagaur Cattle Fair, held from February 3 to 4, 2025, in Nagaur, near Jodhpur, is one of the largest livestock fairs in Rajasthan, second only to the Pushkar Camel Fair. Each year, over two lakh visitors, including traders, buyers, and tourists, gather for this vibrant event.
Beyond cattle trading, the fair is known for animal races, cockfights, tug-of-war, animal beauty contests, traditional dance, and music performances. As one of the famous festivals of Rajasthan, it brings together traders and visitors in a vibrant cultural setting. As the sun sets, traders celebrate with folk music and dance, creating a lively atmosphere. Many tourists choose to stay overnight to witness traders preparing their animals for the next day’s activities.
The fairground is also a shopper’s delight, with stalls selling souvenirs, spices, traditional delicacies, and handicrafts, offering a glimpse into Rajasthan’s rural charm.
Baneshwar Festival
The Baneshwar Festival is a tribal celebration held in Baneshwar from February 8 to February 12, 2025. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, this festival blends spiritual devotion with cultural festivities.
The event features tribal fairs, processions, acrobatic shows, animal performances, magic shows, dance, and music celebrations. A night procession adds to the grandeur of the festival. Historically, two separate fairs were conducted—one for each deity—but today, they have merged into a single grand celebration.
This festival is an important cultural event in Rajasthan, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike.
World Sufi Spirit Festival
The World Sufi Spirit Festival, held from February 14 to 16, 2025, at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is a global celebration of Sufi music and spirituality. This international festival brings together artists from Mongolia, Italy, Africa, Afghanistan, and various parts of India, creating a mesmerizing cultural experience.
The festival features soulful Sufi music, dance performances, thought-provoking debates, and insightful seminars, all aimed at spreading the teachings of Sufism. As one of the captivating festivals of Rajasthan, it showcases a unique blend of history, spirituality, and artistic expression. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, the event creates an enchanting atmosphere, with some performances also taking place at the Nagaur Fort, adding to its grandeur.
Summer and Winter festivals of Mount Abu
Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station, comes alive with festivities during its Summer Festival, held from May 10 to 12, 2025. This three-day carnival is a vibrant celebration featuring folk dance performances, music, colorful processions, and exciting competitions. The festival takes place at Nakki Lake and Polo Ground, drawing both locals and tourists to experience Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage.
Throughout the event, numerous stalls offer handicrafts, souvenirs, and local delicacies. As night falls, the fairground sparkles with grand fireworks, creating a mesmerizing sight that keeps visitors entertained till the very end. Whether enjoying traditional performances or shopping at bustling markets, the festival offers a lively experience against the scenic backdrop of Mount Abu.
Mewar Festival
Mewar Festival is one of the most vibrant and traditional celebrations in Udaipur, marking the arrival of spring. Held from March 31 to April 1, 2025, this grand festival fills the city with energy as locals decorate their homes and dress in traditional attire.
A highlight of the festival is the large procession that moves through Udaipur’s main streets, where beautifully adorned idols are carried on people’s heads. The celebration is accompanied by folk music, dance, and joyful festivities, creating a lively atmosphere. Known for its color and cultural significance, the Mewar Festival offers visitors a glimpse into Rajasthan’s rich traditions and community spirit.
Gangaur Festival
The Gangaur Festival, celebrated from March 31 to April 1, 2025, is a significant cultural event in Jaipur and surrounding regions. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, this festival coincides with the Mewar Festival in Udaipur and is marked by grand celebrations.
A key highlight is the majestic procession, featuring elephants, chariots, and palanquins, with devotees carrying beautifully adorned idols through the streets. As one of the cherished festivals of Rajasthan, it brings communities together through traditional dance and music, creating a vibrant and joyous atmosphere. The festivities conclude with a dazzling fireworks display, symbolizing the divine welcome of Goddess Parvati to Earth.
Brij Holi Festival
The Brij Holi Festival, celebrated on March 14, 2025, in Bharatpur, takes place just before the vibrant festival of Holi. This festival is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, with locals dressing up as the divine couple and engaging in music, dance, and cultural performances that depict their legendary love story.
As the festival concludes, the celebrations take a lively turn, with people playing with colors, much like Holi. The streets of Brij, Bharatpur, come alive with joyful gatherings, devotional songs, and traditional festivities, making it a unique and colorful event in Rajasthan’s cultural calendar.
Rajasthan International Folk Festival
The Rajasthan International Folk Festival was introduced by the government to preserve and promote Rajasthan’s fading folk music and dance traditions. It takes place during Sharad Purnima, the brightest full moon night of the year. This festival is celebrated from 2 Oct to 6 Oct 2025. While all art forms are celebrated, music takes center stage. The festival attracts over 200 musicians from around the world, creating a mesmerizing musical experience. Location: Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur City. Alongside performances, visitors can enjoy poetry, cultural activities, and bustling stalls offering local crafts and delicacies.
Teej Festival
Teej Festival is one of the most vibrant Hindu festivals in Rajasthan, celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in Jaipur and other parts of the state. Observed on July 27, 2025, this festival is dedicated to the well-being of husbands and also marks the arrival of the monsoon. Women dress in traditional colorful attire, sing, dance, and enjoy swings set up under trees, creating a lively atmosphere.
According to mythology, this day signifies the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As one of the vibrant festivals of Rajasthan, the highlight of the celebration is the grand procession of Goddess Parvati, where women carry beautifully adorned idols on their heads or in palanquins, accompanied by music and dance. The festival also features bustling markets with stalls selling souvenirs and seasonal delicacies. Among the must-try treats are Malpua and Ghewar, two traditional Rajasthani sweets enjoyed during this time.
Pushkar Camel Fair
The Pushkar Camel Fair, held from October 30 to November 5, 2025, is the largest camel trading event in India, taking place at the Pushkar Fairground in Rajasthan. This five-day festival is a vibrant mix of culture, tradition, and entertainment. Traders from across the region gather to buy and sell camels, while visitors can enjoy folk music, dance performances, puppet shows, and various competitions. The fairground is lined with stalls selling handicrafts, souvenirs, and local delicacies—one of the highlights being treats made with camel milk. Many travelers choose to camp at the fairground, soaking in the lively atmosphere with bonfires, music, and dance alongside traders.
Kota Adventure Festival
The Kota Adventure Festival, also known as the Kota Festival, is a thrilling event for adventure enthusiasts, offering a variety of exciting outdoor activities. Held in Kota, Rajasthan, this week-long festival features rock climbing, kayaking, windsurfing, angling, rafting, parasailing, trekking, and rural exploration.
For water-based activities, visitors head to the Chambal River, while those seeking high-altitude adventures can explore Kishore Sagar Talab. As one of the dynamic festivals of Rajasthan, it draws thrill-seekers with customized adventure packages offered by service providers. While the official dates for the 2025 edition are yet to be confirmed, this festival remains a major attraction for those looking to experience Rajasthan beyond its cultural and heritage sites.
Chandrabhaga Fair
The Chandrabhaga Fair is a religious and cattle festival held in Jhalrapatan, Jhalawar, during October or November (exact dates yet to be confirmed). The festival takes place along the banks of the Chandrabhaga River, which is considered sacred. Thousands of pilgrims gather to take a holy dip, believing it to bring spiritual blessings.
Following the religious rituals, the festival transforms into a vibrant cattle fair, featuring camel trading, cultural performances, folk music, and traditional dances. The lively atmosphere, combined with the religious significance, makes this an important event in Rajasthan’s festival calendar.
Bundi Utsav
Bundi Utsav is a cultural festival held in Bundi, Rajasthan, from November 18 to November 20, 2025. This festival celebrates the heritage and traditions of Bundi with folk dance, music, and unique competitions like the mustache contest and turban weaving.
Visitors can enjoy water sports, races, and traditional games. One of the main highlights is the Shobha Yatra, a grand procession showcasing the local culture. A vibrant fairground is set up, offering souvenirs, Rajasthani delicacies, and artisan crafts, making it an exciting event for locals and tourists alike.
Kumbhalgarh Festival
The Kumbhalgarh Festival is a three-day cultural celebration held at Kumbhalgarh Fort from December 1 to December 3, 2025. Originally initiated by Maharana Kumbha, the festival honors the art, heritage, and culture of Rajasthan.
The fort is illuminated, showcasing chandeliers, artwork, and historical decor. As one of the grand festivals of Rajasthan, each day follows a different theme, featuring art exhibitions, cultural performances, and competitions. Traditional folk dances like Langas, Kalbeliyas, Kachi, and Odissi take center stage, along with musical performances by renowned artists.
The festival draws artisans, performers, and tourists from around the world, making it a key cultural event in Rajasthan.
Kolayat Festival
This traditional fair is celebrated near Kolayat Lake to showcase the craft and artistic heritage of the region. The festival begins with a holy dip in the lake, believed to cleanse one of worldly sins.
During the festival, the ghats of Kolayat Lake are adorned with decorations, and various rituals take place at each ghat. Visitors can explore stalls offering souvenirs, handcrafted artworks, and local delicacies, making it a vibrant cultural and religious event.
