10 Popular Festivals and Events in December in India 2024

India is a land of several different cultures and religions. Its culture flourishes with these festivals, social gatherings, and fairs that result in a spirit of harmony. The country celebrates everything from the start of the spring season to the presence of the full moon.

There is a celebration for dance, colors, region, religion, music, and language. Each of these celebrations is unique. The way a festival is celebrated differs from one region to another. Some people like sharing delicacies and simply greeting one another, while others celebrate it entertainingly.

Every month has a special significance in India. There is something distinctive and peculiar about each month in terms of festivities and celebrations. If you plan to visit this country in December, then here are a few popular festivals and fairs that will make your visit memorable.

List of India’s 10 Popular Festivals Celebrated in December 2024:

1. Kumbhalgarh Festival

This is

one of the most important cultural festivals that is celebrated in Rajasthan. Kumbhalgarh Festival is Kumbhalgarh Fort that is located in Udaipur.

This festival lasts for three days. Each day has a unique significance. This festival is beginning on 1st December 2024 and will end on 3rd December 2024.

A few important attractions of this place are music and dance performances presented by folk groups, craft camps and art workshops, puppet shows, exhibitions, and many more.

Read Also: Best 15 Most Popular fort of India

2. Rann Utsav

Another very popular festival celebrated in India with great enthusiasm is Rann of Kutch. Kutch is regarded as one of the world’s largest salt deserts that showcases and demonstrates the true and authentic Gujarati culture.

The enthralling cultural extravaganza includes vibrant and colorful folk performances, traditional cuisines, impeccable hospitality, ethnic gigs, and the fascinating adventure sports of Gujarat.

The Rann of Kutch festival is celebrated in the desert of Kutch, Gujarat that is considered to be the largest salt desert of India, the country. The celebration of the Rann of Kutch festival expresses the rich tradition and culture of the region. Looking at the wide range of cultural attractions and activities in the mid of the desert can leave you spellbound.

Locals and tourists from all parts of the world come to witness the beauty of this celebration. This festival will begin on 01st Nov 2022 to 20th Feb 2023. The ideal time to be a part of this festival is in December when the charms and lure of this festival will be of high energy. Some of the distinctive features of this festival are a musical performance, archery, camel riding, horse riding, story recital, dance performances, para-motoring, adventurous and cultural performances, and elite feasts. Read more information: Kutch Rann Utsav Festival Gujarat: Dates, Attractions and Visitor’s Guide

3. Hornbill Festival

This is another mesmeric festival celebrated in the North-Eastern parts of India. This traditional cultural celebration is enjoyed by the people of Nagaland state. The hornbill festival is celebrated in the Kisama village that is located twelve km away from Kohima. More Read: Complete guide to Hornbill festival, the ultimate North East India.

This is a ten-day-long festival that aims at celebrating the vast local heritage, local life, culture, handlooms, games, artworks, handicrafts, food, and a lot more. This festival is starting on December 1, 2024, and is ending on December 10, 2024.

Some of the activities and attractions that you must not miss during the festival are:

• Enjoy the conventional war dance done by the local tribes
• Watch Hornbill’s national rock performance
• Taste local rice beer
• Visit the market and purchase unique souvenirs
• Participate in the bike and car-based adventure sports that are available for both tourists and locals
• Participate in conventional games
• Enjoy the distinctive headhunting rituals
• Taste the local cuisines served during the festival

Read more:

• A Traveler’s Guide to November Festivals in India
  
• Why You Should Visit India During September for Festivals
• Discover the Best November Festivals in India
  

4. Hot Air Balloon Festival

Not all festivals celebrated in India are related to religion and culture. A few of them are also celebrated based on adventure activities. One of the best examples of such festivals is a Hot air balloon festival that is held in various states.

The Hot Air Baloon festival is enjoyed in December in a very grand manner in Karnataka, South India. It is about flying over the land in a large colorful balloon filled with hot air. At high altitudes, you can capture perfect photos with your DSLR. Some of the places where this festival is celebrated are Bidar, Mysore of Karnataka, and Hampi. This adventurous festival takes place throughout December. If you want to avoid the crowd and peacefully enjoy this festival, then the best time to visit the place would be on weekdays.

List of things that you must indulge in during the festival:

• Flying in these hot air balloons
• Watching hundreds of colorful and decorated balloons
• Visit small stalls located close to the festival to purchase basic souvenirs and simple toys.

5. Perumthitta Tharavad

If you love colors, then you must not miss this festival. Perumthitta Tharavad is a regional festival celebrated in Kerala, with grandeur, dance, culture and not to forget the main element color. During the celebration, the dancer’s performers paint themselves from head to toe to display mythological characters. For example, the green color resembles dances done to represent God, and the red color represents a demon, and so on. Read more: 10 Most Popular Festivals and Events of Kerala.

The facial expressions shown by the dancers are the key elements of the overall dance. This dance is referred to as Theyyam, that is a conventional form of dance form of the people of Kerala.

Some of the distinctive activities and attractions to enjoy during this time are as follows:

• Watching varying styles of dance performances
• Distinctive rituals performed in the temple
• Cultural mime and musical performances
• Ancient traditional music and dance performances by tribal

6. Christmas

Christmas is celebrated all over the country with a galore of joy and happiness. It is ranked as one of the most prevalent and popular festivals that is celebrated in India.

People of all age groups dress up nicely in festival attire, decorate their homes with Christmas trees, enjoy delicious Christmas cakes, and exchange gifts. In most places, elderly people in the family dress up as Santa Claus to give goodies and gifts to young ones.

Christmas is celebrated all over India on 25 December 2023. The major attraction of this festival is the midnight mass that is followed by cake and wine, Christmas carols, Santa Claus, and alluring decorations.

More read: Best Places to visit Christmas celebration in India

7. Magnetic Fields Festival

Magnetic Fields Festival is an awe-inspiring festival where potential talents from the country and abroad are provided a performance to showcase their talent and skills in front of a huge audience.

This is a three-day-long camping festival that displays the magnificent Rajasthani heritage and amazing hospitality by way of organizing workshops, a buffet of Marwari delicacies, fascinating adventure sports, and exciting musical gigs.

This festival is celebrated in Rajasthan throughout December month. Some of the prime attractions of this festival include a kite-flying competition, a treasure hunt, morning yoga, cooking, music workshops, secret parties, and desert camping. Read more: Most Famous Festival of Rajasthan

8. Chennai Music Festival

Chennai Music Festival is a month-long celebration of beautiful art forms in South India. This cultural fiesta features instrumental music, classical dance performances, and drama. This festival is celebrated in Chennai between 15th December 2022 to 01st January 2023 A few noteworthy attractions of this festival are instrumental recitals of flute, violin, mridangam, and veena along with dance performances such as Mohini Natyam, Bharatanatyam, and various classical vocals.

Read Also:

• Best Music Festivals in India
• 20 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

9. Karthigai Deepam

Karthigai Deepam is popular as the festival of lights. It is a glamorous, vibrant, and cheerful South Indian Hindu festival that aims at welcoming the positive things and eliminating all the evils and negativity from a place. Households and temples are well-lit and decorated with Diyas and clay lamps.

The ceremony of the festival begins by igniting a huge fire at the highest altitude on the hill as a sacred activity. A lot of locals and tourists gather to witness the beautiful sight. This festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu throughout December month. The popular attractions of this festival are fairs, feasts, and fireworks.

10. Galdan Namchot

Galdan Namchot is a must-attend festival in the country that is known for the arrival of the New Year in Leh Ladakh. This festival also celebrates Buddhahood and the birthday of the Tsongkhapa, a Tibetan saint-scholar. All the heritage buildings and monasteries are nicely decorated as the locals enjoy this festival with music and dance.

This festival is celebrated in Leh Ladakh in December month.  Some of the major attractions of the festival are the preparation of different varieties of local food, and the gifting of Khatak (a sort of ceremonial scarf) to relatives and friends. Read More: 10 Most Popular Festivals and Events of Ladakh

11. Cochin Carnival

Cochin Carnival is a famous cultural feast that is celebrated with zeal and cheerfulness. Along with cultural gigs, and musical performances, this celebration comprises a grand parade of decorated elephants, folk music, and beautifully dressed people in colorful attire. This festival is celebrated in Cochin, Kerala between 25th December 2022 to 01st January 2023. Some of the most important attractions during the festival are the constant playing of five instrumental music in perfect rhythm, harmony, beach football, beach bike race, and beach volleyball.

Also read: Budget to 5 Star: 20 Best Hotels to Stay in Cochin

Footnote:

Many colorful Indian festivals and events are celebrated throughout the year, Read here for popular festivals & event month-wise list:

• Popular Festival in November in India
• Top 10 Festivals in September in India
• Famous Festivals in August 2024 in India

Learn more about the popular Indian festival:

• Pushkar Camel Fair – Dates, Celebration, Attraction Know Everything
• Onam Festival Kerala 2024: Date, Traditions, Activities, Story, and How Celebrate?
• Holi 2024, the Color Festival in India 
• Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan
• All about Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in India 
• Dussehra Celebration in India
• Alwar Matsya Festival Rajasthan
• Diwali Festival 2024: Importance, Attraction, Where, How to celebrate it?
• Konark Dance and Music Festival: Dates, Ticket, Schedule, History
• What is Lathmar Holi? Why & How is it celebrated?

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