Delhi Festivals & Events
Entry fees, opening times and fares in India change often. Please check before you travel.
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Major Festivals
Diwali (October/November)
When: Five days in October or November (dates follow lunar calendar)
What: The Festival of Lights. India's biggest celebration, homes and monuments lit with diyas (oil lamps), fireworks, family gatherings, and gift-giving.
What to expect:
- Markets: Packed with shoppers buying sweets, clothes, and gifts. Chandni Chowk and Sarojini Nagar are overwhelming.
- Lights: Monuments and buildings illuminated. The India Gate area and Connaught Place get the biggest displays.
- Fireworks: Non-stop from sunset, and the cause of severe air pollution.
- Business closures: Many shops close on main Diwali day. Restaurants may have limited service.
For tourists:
- Book hotels months ahead, prices spike 50-100%
- Flights in/out of Delhi are expensive and busy
- Air quality plummets (AQI often exceeds 400). Bring N95 masks.
- Best experienced at a local home if you can get an invitation
- Hotels host Diwali dinners with traditional food and music
Tips:
- Visit markets before Diwali day for the buzz
- Watch fireworks from a rooftop (hotels often open theirs)
- Expect noise, firecrackers continue for days
Holi (March)
When: Full moon day in March (Phalgun month)
What: The Festival of Colors. People throw colored powder (gulal) and water at each other. Ancient tradition celebrating spring and the triumph of good over evil.
Where to celebrate:
Public celebrations:
- India Gate lawns, spontaneous crowds, chaotic, local experience
- Old Delhi, intense, not recommended for tourists
- Mathura/Vrindavan, most famous Holi celebrations, 3 hours from Delhi
Hotel Holi parties (recommended for tourists):
- The Lalit New Delhi
- Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla
- The Grand New Delhi (Vasant Kunj)
- Various through tour operators
Cost: ₹2,000-5,000 including food, drinks, and colors
What to do:
- Wear white clothes you don't mind discarding
- Remove all jewellery
- Oil your skin and hair beforehand (helps color wash off)
- Stay in groups
- Start early morning (6-11 AM)
- Drink bhang lassi cautiously, it's cannabis-infused
Safety notes:
- Crowds can get aggressive, especially with women
- Hotel parties are safer and more controlled
- Avoid Old Delhi streets unless with locals
- Some colors contain chemicals, stick to organic gulal
Republic Day (January 26)
When: January 26, every year
What: India's biggest national celebration, commemorating the constitution coming into effect in 1950. Features a massive military and cultural parade.
The parade:
- Route: Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate
- Duration: 2-3 hours, starting mid-morning (around 10:30 AM in recent years)
- Contents: Military march, tanks, missiles, air force fly-past, cultural floats from every state, folk dances, schoolchildren performances
Getting tickets:
- Book through official government portal 2-3 months ahead
- Grandstand tickets: ₹20-500 depending on section
- Tickets sell out fast, especially covered sections
- Foreign tourists get some reserved allocation
Without tickets:
- Watch on TV (extensive coverage)
- Head to India Gate in the evening, crowds gather, festive atmosphere
- Beating Retreat ceremony (January 29) is easier to attend
Tips:
- Security is intense, expect extensive checks
- Arrive by 7:00 AM for good viewing
- Dress warmly, January mornings are cold
- No bags, cameras with large lenses, or food allowed
Dussehra (October)
When: October (about three weeks before Diwali)
What: Celebrates Ram's victory over Ravana. Massive effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakaran are burned across the city.
Where to see:
Ramlila performances:
- Ramlila Maidan, Main venue, full theatrical performance of the Ramayana
- Old Delhi, Traditional performances in neighbourhoods
Effigy burning (Ravan Dahan):
- Red Fort grounds, Largest effigies, Prime Minister often attends
- Ramlila Maidan, Major event
- Various neighbourhood grounds across Delhi
Tips:
- Arrive early for good spots
- The burning happens at sunset (around 6 PM)
- Crowds are massive, keep belongings secure
- Local Ramlila performances run for weeks leading up to Dussehra
Eid (Dates vary)
When: Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan) and Eid ul-Adha (later in the year)
Where: Jama Masjid and Old Delhi
What happens:
- Morning prayers at Jama Masjid, tens of thousands attend
- Special Eid food at Old Delhi restaurants
- Markets selling traditional items
- Festive atmosphere in Muslim neighbourhoods
For tourists:
- Non-Muslims can observe from respectful distance
- Great time to experience Old Delhi
- Try sheer khurma (festive vermicelli pudding) at any Old Delhi sweet shop
Cultural Events
Surajkund Mela (February)
When: Usually opens in late January or the first week of February and runs for about two and a half weeks, often into the third week of February. The 2026 edition opened on 31 January. Check the dates for the year you travel.
Where: Surajkund, Faridabad (30 km from Delhi)
What: International crafts fair featuring artisans from every Indian state plus a partner country. Folk performances, food stalls, cultural programs.
What to expect:
- Handicrafts from across India at one location
- Live demonstrations of traditional crafts
- Regional food stalls (better variety than Dilli Haat)
- Folk music and dance performances throughout the day
Practical:
- Entry: ₹180 (weekdays), ₹280 (weekends)
- Hours: 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM
- Getting there: Uber/taxi from Delhi (45-60 minutes)
- Plan: Half-day to full day
Tips:
- Weekdays are less crowded
- Bring cash (many artisan stalls cash-only)
- Good alternative to Dilli Haat for handicraft shopping
Qutub Festival (not currently held)
When: Delhi Tourism ran this five-day music and dance festival inside the Qutub complex most years up to 2019. It has not been staged since, and Delhi Tourism no longer lists it.
Where: Qutub Minar complex, in the years it runs
What: Classical and Sufi music and dance performances against the backdrop of the 12th-century monument.
Practical:
- Do not plan a trip around it. Check with Delhi Tourism for any revival before you count on it.
- For live classical music in Delhi through the winter, look instead at the listings for India Habitat Centre and Kamani Auditorium.
Delhi International Arts Festival
When: November-December
What: Month-long celebration of performing arts, classical music, dance, theatre, visual arts. Multiple venues across Delhi.
Where: Various venues including Kamani Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Siri Fort Auditorium
Practical: Check DIAF website for schedule. Many free events.
Festival Calendar
| Month | Festival/Event |
|---|---|
| January | Republic Day (26th), Lohri, Makar Sankranti |
| February | Surajkund Mela |
| March | Holi |
| April | Baisakhi |
| August | Independence Day (15th), Janmashtami |
| October | Navratri, Dussehra, Durga Puja |
| October/November | Diwali, Guru Purab |
| November/December | Winter concert season (India Habitat Centre, Kamani Auditorium) |
| December | Christmas (Connaught Place decorations) |
Practical Tips for Festival Visits
Accommodation:
- Book 2-3 months ahead for Diwali, Holi, Republic Day
- Expect 50-100% price increases during major festivals
- Consider staying in South Delhi for easier metro access
Transport:
- Traffic gridlock during major festivals
- Metro is the only reliable option
- Uber surge pricing kicks in
What to pack:
- Old clothes for Holi (you will get colored)
- Warm layers for winter festivals (Republic Day, Qutub Festival)
- N95 masks for Diwali (air quality crashes)
General:
- Shops close on main festival days
- ATMs may run out of cash before major festivals
- Local families are often welcoming, if invited to a celebration, say yes
For weather and best time to visit, see our planning guide.