Best Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Kullu Dussehra is one of the most significant festivals in Himachal Pradesh celebrated. In Himachal Pradesh, a grand fair is organised every year in the month of October in the Dhalpur Maidan in the Kullu valley. Accorded as an international fair, this mega festival has been attracting thousands of tourists every year. 

Kullu Dussehra Dates 2023: Tuesday, 24 October

Losar, a religious himachal festival to celebrate the uniqueness of Tibetan ethnicity in Himachal Pradesh. the new year according to the Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated over a span of fifteen days but its true grandeur is seen from February 24 to February 26. 

Losar 2023: Losar lasts for about 15 days. February 19th to March 5th in 2023

Celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Magha Purnima, Halda, One of the beautiful festivals in Himachal Pradesh closely resembles Diwali, the festival of lights. It is a 2-day grand carnival celebrated in the secluded region of Lahaul valley. Halda festival has its roots in the Lamaistic traditions of the valley. 

Halda 2023: February

Bringing religious trevor and spiritual ecstasy to the whole valley of Kinnaur is the ancient Sazo festival. Being one of the beautiful festivals of Himachal Pradesh, Sazo rooted in the strong belief that during this time, the deities ascend back to heaven for some time. Their departure is considered a huge event. The locals in the valley follow strict rituals regarding the celebration. 

Sazo Festival 2023: January
Venue: Kinnaur

This festival has its root in the epic of Mahabharata. The day is marked as the birthday of Hadimba, Bheem’s wife thus is also known as Hadimba Devi’s fair. The locals gather at a spot and pay tribute to Hadimba who is so the local deity. A vast fair is organised every year in respect of their beloved deity, Hidimba Devi. This extravagant fair is organised on Basant Panchami, the day that marks the arrival of the spring season. 

Doongri Fair 2023: May

The Shimla Summer Festival is a celebration of the bounty of the harvest, and the festivities honour the advent of the summer. Spread out over five days; the festival is a gala of musical performances, cultural attractions, folk performances, local handicraft exhibitions, as well as with quirky activities like fashion shows, dog shows, stalls that sell artisanal ware and serve up local cuisine; it is an event that has something for everybody.

Dates : May or June
Venue : The Ridge

The Manali Winter Carnival is Himachal Pradesh's way of welcoming the new year. Held in January, the Winter Carnival in Manali opens an opportunity to witness the beauty of slushy snow and enjoy the events and celebrations that it puts forth. Initially, it only comprised of the Skiing competition, but now it has come to include band performances, food festivals, street plays, folk dances, adventure sports and much more.

Manali Winter Carnival 2023 : 2nd January 2023 to 6th January 2023
Venue : Manali
Major Highlights : The Manali Carnival Parade, Live Concert, Winter Queen Competition, Bollywood Dance, Street Play, Folk Dance Competition,

Also known as the Ookayand or Ukyam, the Phulaich festival of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, is a 'festival of flowers' celebrated in honor of the deceased. Family members offer wine, rice, and other food items to their dead ancestors, which are afterward distributed amongst the poor.  On the 16th day of the Hindu month of 'Bhadrapada', ten Rajputs of the village go up the hills to gather the season's best flowers. According to beliefs, the flowers are fragrant enough to intoxicate and make the searchers feel light-headed. 

When: September

The village of Kasol in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh is famed for its 2-day event, the Kasol Music Festival. The annual fest is the village's craziest new year party celebrating new beginnings while entertaining art and music enthusiasts. You can expect fun events like live musical performances, DJs, painting competitions, tattoo booths, spa services, and food stalls serving exotic cuisines.

General tickets : INR 3000 ~ INR 6000
VIP tickets : INR 4000 ~ INR 8000

The internationally-renowned Mandi Shivaratri Fair of Mandi town, Himachal Pradesh, begins on the 13th night of Krishna Paksha and is celebrated for the next six days. During these seven days, the township looks extravagant as more than 200 deities, adorned with embroidered clothes, are brought from hundreds of shrines across the district to the town to pay homage to Lord Vishnu. Then, the deities are taken to the palace in a procession. 

When: February/ March

The 5-day long Nalwari Cattle Fair, or the Annual Cattle Fair, has been celebrated since colonial days in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. It is a platform for cattle traders to do business. During the event, beautifully-adorned cattle are brought from Nalagarh and other nearby regions and are sold at great prices. 

When: March/ April
Where: Bilaspur District, Himachal Pradesh

The Spring Festival, or Vasantotsava, earlier called Pipal Jatra, is the state festival of Himachal Pradesh. It is celebrated from the 28th to the 30th of April every year to welcome the spring season in the valley of Kullu.  As numerous artists from all over the country visit the place to be a part of the fest, the Spring Festival is also famous for its cultural performances. 

When: April

Himachal Hills Festival, the pride of Kasol, is a one-of-a-kind fest that primarily caters to music lovers.Attractions of the event include live music performances, DJs, live painting sessions, candid photography, local cultural performances, waterside camping, a flea market, bonfires, food, and drinks.  

When: 30th - 31st December
Event rules: Those under 18 are not allowed.
No outside food and drinks
No drugs

The Sair festival is celebrated in different districts and towns of Himachal Pradesh, such as Kullu, Mandi, and Solan. However, if you want to enjoy the event in its full glory, Shimla is the place. The festival marks the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter.  The highlight is the bullfight which is synonymous with the iconic bullfight of Athens. 

When: Mid-September

The 3-day festival is celebrated across the state of Himachal Pradesh, though on a grander scale in Lahaul and Spiti. Despite being a festival of the Hindus, Buddhist locals too take great delight in celebrating the festival.  The festivity begins with a prayer ceremony in the holy premises of the Triloknath temple. 

When: July/ August

The Minjar festival is a week-long carnival in commemoration of the victory of King Chamba over the ruler of Kangra, erstwhile called Trigarta. On his return, the subjects of Chamba valley greeted the triumphant king with sheaves of minjar, which symbolize happiness and prosperity. Since then, that day came to be known as Minjar day. 

When: Second Sunday of the Hindu Shravana month/ Mid-June
Where: Chamba Valley