Festival of Rajasthan 2025: Celebration Guide for Every Traveler

Rajasthan is known for its rich culture, royal heritage, and deep-rooted traditions. The festivals of Rajasthan bring this vibrant spirit to life with colorful celebrations, music, and dance. These festivals provide a wonderful opportunity to experience local traditions firsthand, as visitors are warmly welcomed to join in the festivities and enjoy the lively atmosphere with the locals.

Summers in Rajasthan bring intense heat, but they also offer a unique chance to witness the region’s rich heritage and culture. During this season, cultural programs feature talented artists performing traditional folk music and dance in colorful attire, creating a lively and captivating ambiance.

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, where visitors can enjoy authentic local flavors while experiencing the state’s rich cultural festivities. Below 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 a spectacular celebration of Makar Sankranti. While this harvest festival is marked in various ways across India, Rajasthan’s vibrant kite-flying traditions make it a highlight of the International Kite Festival, drawing enthusiasts from near and far.

Jodhpur adds to the excitement by releasing kites from helicopters, filling the sky with a dazzling display of colors. Hundreds of kites soar together, creating a stunning sight, while children enhance the festive mood by releasing clusters of balloons into the air.

This festival is more than just kite flying; it fosters a sense of community through friendly competitions and a cheerful atmosphere. With the sky filled with vibrant colors and the energy of celebrations, the Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival is a must-visit event for both locals and tourists, showcasing the lively 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 lively two-day celebration dedicated to Rajasthan’s beloved camels. Like other camel fairs in the region, this festival showcases the elegance and endurance of these incredible animals through camel races, games, and beauty contests.

Beyond the camel events, visitors can enjoy folk music, dance performances, and traditional art displays, offering a glimpse into Rajasthan’s rich culture. The fairground buzzes with souvenir stalls and food vendors serving a variety of local delicacies. Each evening, the festival ends 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. Unlike Rajasthan’s cultural festivals, this renowned event serves as a prestigious platform for literary discussions, bringing together Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, debut novelists, and celebrated 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 where attendees can explore and purchase literary works. As one of the most renowned festivals of Rajasthan, the Jaipur Literature Festival draws book lovers and intellectuals from around the world with its engaging discussions and vibrant atmosphere.

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 experience unique events such as the mustache competition, Mr. Desert contest, folk dance and music performances, gymnastic stunts, and puppet shows. The fairground buzzes with stalls offering local delicacies and handcrafted souvenirs, adding to the festive charm. Set against the golden dunes, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival blends culture, entertainment, and the stunning beauty of the Thar Desert.

Sacred Festival

The Sacred Festival is a unique blend of music and spirituality, taking place at Jaipur Ghat in Pushkar from February 14 to February 26, 2025. This festival holds deep religious significance, bringing musicians together in a soulful celebration of spiritual unity.

The event features soulful music performances, holistic therapies, heritage walks, and engaging workshops. Nearby, a lively market at Jaipur Ghat offers souvenirs, traditional delicacies, and handcrafted artisanal goods. As one of the vibrant festivals of Rajasthan, this celebration provides a refreshing experience for the mind and soul while showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Nagaur Camel Fair

The Nagaur Cattle Fair, scheduled for February 3 to 4, 2025, in Nagaur near Jodhpur, is among the biggest livestock fairs in Rajasthan, second only to the Pushkar Camel Fair. Each year, this vibrant event attracts over two lakh visitors, including traders, buyers, and tourists.

Apart from cattle trading, the fair hosts animal races, cockfights, tug-of-war, animal beauty contests, and vibrant cultural performances. As one of the well-known festivals of Rajasthan, it creates a lively atmosphere where traders and visitors come together. In the evening, folk music and dance add to the festive charm, while many tourists stay overnight to witness traders preparing their animals for the next day’s events.

The fairground is a treat for shoppers, with stalls offering souvenirs, spices, traditional delicacies, and handicrafts, giving visitors a taste of Rajasthan’s rural charm.

Baneshwar Festival

The Baneshwar Festival is a tribal celebration taking place in Baneshwar from February 8 to February 12, 2025. Honoring Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, this festival blends spiritual devotion with lively cultural traditions.

The event features tribal fairs, processions, acrobatic displays, animal performances, magic shows, as well as dance and music celebrations. A night procession adds to the festival’s magnificence. Traditionally, two separate fairs were organized—one for each deity—but over time, they have merged into one grand celebration.

This festival is an important cultural event in Rajasthan, attracting both pilgrims and tourists alike.

World Sufi Spirit Festival

The World Sufi Spirit Festival, taking place from February 14 to 16, 2025, at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is a worldwide celebration of Sufi music and spirituality. This international event brings together artists from Mongolia, Italy, Africa, Afghanistan, and various parts of India, creating a captivating cultural experience.

The festival features soulful Sufi music, dance performances, engaging debates, and insightful seminars, all centered on the teachings of Sufism. As one of the captivating festivals of Rajasthan, it beautifully combines history, spirituality, and artistic expression. Set against the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, the event offers a mesmerizing experience, with select performances at Nagaur Fort adding to its grandeur.

Summer and Winter festivals of Mount Abu

Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station, bursts into celebration during the Summer Festival, held from May 10 to 12, 2025. This three-day event showcases folk dance performances, music, vibrant processions, and thrilling competitions. Taking place at Nakki Lake and Polo Ground, the festival draws both locals and tourists, providing a wonderful insight into Rajasthan’s cultural heritage.

Throughout the event, various stalls display handicrafts, souvenirs, and local delicacies. As night falls, the fairground comes alive with dazzling fireworks, creating a stunning spectacle for visitors. Whether watching traditional performances or exploring the lively markets, the Summer Festival provides a vibrant experience set against the picturesque backdrop of Mount Abu.

 

Mewar Festival

The Mewar Festival is a lively and traditional celebration in Udaipur, welcoming the arrival of spring. Scheduled from March 31 to April 1, 2025, this grand event fills the city with festive energy as locals decorate their homes and wear traditional attire.

A key highlight of the festival is the grand procession that moves through Udaipur’s main streets, where beautifully adorned idols are carried on people’s heads. The celebration is filled with folk music, dance, and lively festivities, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. Known for its deep cultural significance, the Mewar Festival gives visitors an authentic experience of Rajasthan’s rich traditions and strong community spirit.

Gangaur Festival

Women wear traditional attire, carry beautifully decorated clay idols of Goddess Parvati, and join lively processions through the city streets. The festival is filled with folk music, dance performances, and local fairs, creating a joyful atmosphere. As one of Rajasthan’s most treasured traditions, the Gangaur Festival showcases the region’s deep cultural heritage and devotion.

The grand procession is a stunning spectacle, featuring elephants, chariots, and palanquins leading the way as devotees carry beautifully adorned idols through the streets. As one of the cherished festivals of Rajasthan, it brings communities together through traditional dance and music, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration. The event concludes with a breathtaking fireworks display, symbolizing the divine arrival of Goddess Parvati on Earth.

Brij Holi Festival

The Brij Holi Festival, celebrated on March 14, 2025, in Bharatpur, takes place just before the vibrant festival of Holi. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, this event sees locals dressing as the divine couple and taking part in energetic music, dance, and cultural performances that beautifully depict their eternal love story.

As the festival nears its conclusion, the celebrations become even more lively, with people joyfully playing with colors, much like Holi. The streets of Brij, Bharatpur, come alive with vibrant gatherings, devotional songs, and traditional festivities, making the Brij Holi Festival a remarkable event in Rajasthan’s rich cultural calendar.

Rajasthan International Folk Festival

The Rajasthan International Folk Festival was created to preserve and celebrate Rajasthan’s rich folk music and dance heritage. Scheduled from October 2 to October 6, 2025, during Sharad Purnima—the brightest full moon night of the year—the festival showcases various art forms, with music at its core. More than 200 musicians from around the world come together for this unforgettable experience. Set against the majestic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, the event also features poetry sessions, cultural activities, and bustling stalls offering local crafts and delicacies.

Teej Festival

The Teej Festival is one of Rajasthan’s most vibrant Hindu celebrations, observed with great enthusiasm, particularly in Jaipur and other regions of the state. Scheduled for July 27, 2025, this festival is dedicated to the well-being of husbands and marks the arrival of the monsoon. Women dress in traditional colorful attire, sing folk songs, dance, and enjoy swings set up under trees, creating a joyful and festive 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 brings lively markets filled with stalls offering souvenirs and seasonal delicacies. Malpua and Ghewar, two traditional Rajasthani sweets, are among the must-try treats during this festive occasion.

 

Pushkar Camel Fair

The Pushkar Camel Fair, taking place from October 30 to November 5, 2025, is India’s largest camel trading event, hosted at the Pushkar Fairground in Rajasthan. This five-day festival brings together culture, tradition, and entertainment, attracting traders from across the region to buy and sell camels. Visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere with folk music, dance performances, puppet shows, and thrilling competitions. The fairground is lined with stalls offering handicrafts, souvenirs, and local delicacies, including special treats made from camel milk. Many travelers choose to camp at the fairground, enjoying bonfires, music, and dance alongside traders, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Kota Adventure Festival

The Kota Adventure Festival, also known as the Kota Festival, is a thrilling event for adventure seekers, featuring a variety of outdoor activities. Held in Kota, Rajasthan, this week-long festival offers exciting experiences like rock climbing, kayaking, windsurfing, angling, rafting, parasailing, trekking, and rural exploration. The festival attracts both beginners and experienced adventurers, providing a perfect blend of adrenaline and natural beauty.

The Kota Adventure Festival offers an exhilarating mix of land and water-based activities. For water sports, visitors flock to the Chambal River, while high-altitude adventures take place at Kishore Sagar Talab. As one of the dynamic festivals of Rajasthan, it draws adventure enthusiasts with tailored activity packages from various providers. While the official dates for the 2025 edition are yet to be announced, this festival remains a key attraction for those looking to experience Rajasthan beyond its cultural and heritage landmarks.

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). Taking place along the banks of the sacred Chandrabhaga River, the festival attracts thousands of pilgrims who believe that a holy dip in its waters brings spiritual blessings.

Following the religious observances, the festival shifts into a vibrant cattle fair featuring camel trading, cultural performances, folk music, and traditional dances. The energetic atmosphere, coupled with its deep spiritual significance, cements the Chandrabhaga Fair as an essential event in Rajasthan’s festival calendar.

Bundi Utsav

Bundi Utsav, also known as Bundi Festival, is a vibrant cultural event held in Bundi, Rajasthan, from November 18 to November 20, 2025. This festival celebrates the region’s rich heritage through folk dance, music, and unique competitions such as the mustache contest and turban weaving.

Visitors can participate in water sports, races, and traditional games, adding excitement to the festivities. One of the key attractions is the Shobha Yatra, a grand procession that highlights Bundi’s cultural traditions. A bustling fairground offers souvenirs, Rajasthani delicacies, and artisan crafts, making Bundi Utsav a must-visit event for both locals and travelers.

Kumbhalgarh Festival

During the Kumbhalgarh Festival, visitors can enjoy folk music, traditional dance performances, puppet shows, and art exhibitions that highlight Rajasthan’s cultural richness. The event also features competitions, heritage walks, and light and sound shows, bringing the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort to life in a grand spectacle.

Artists from across India participate, making it a hub of artistic expression. As night falls, the fort is illuminated, creating a mesmerizing backdrop for performances. The Kumbhalgarh Festival is a unique blend of history and culture, offering visitors an unforgettable experience in one of Rajasthan’s most iconic locations.

The fort glows brilliantly, showcasing its chandeliers, intricate artwork, and historic decor. As one of the grand festivals of Rajasthan, each day offers a distinct theme featuring artistic displays, cultural performances, and thrilling competitions. Visitors can witness traditional folk dances such as Langas, Kalbeliyas, Kachi, and Odissi, along with captivating musical performances by renowned artists.

This festival draws artisans, performers, and travelers from around the world, making it a significant cultural celebration in Rajasthan.

Kolayat Festival

The Kolayat Festival is a vibrant fair held near Kolayat Lake, highlighting the region’s rich craft and artistic traditions. The festival starts with a sacred dip in the lake, which is believed to purify the soul and wash away worldly sins.

During the Kolayat Festival, the ghats of Kolayat Lake are beautifully decorated, creating a festive atmosphere. Various rituals are performed at each ghat, adding to the spiritual significance of the event. Visitors can browse through stalls filled with souvenirs, handcrafted artworks, and local delicacies, making it a lively celebration of culture and tradition.