Festivals In December You Wouldn't Want To Miss

New Year is around the corner and it’s the time of the year when you tend to reflect back at the year’s happenings. December is like the Saturday of the month, something you look forward to all year long. Pleasant weather, a hot beverage on cold mornings, end-of-the-year sales, cuddling in your blanket, Christmas, and what's there to not love about the last month of the year? December is also the month of celebrations, and there's something in store for everybody. Some festivals and events are culturally augmented, colorful, and lively and give an opportunity for families to get together and make merry.  Do you feel the urge to step out and spend some time? Well if you are looking for reasons to escape or are still not able to make up your mind about the perfect way to bid adieu to the year look no further. 

Here's a list of festivals and events in India you wouldn't want to miss this December:

1. Rann Utsav (Kutch)

The Rann Utsav or the Kutch Mahotsav is a celebration in the white sandy deserts of Kutch. During the Rann utsav tents are set up in the desert for the tourists, and the Government allows tourists to experience the local culture, cuisine, and hospitality.  The festival is a colorful spectacle on the white desert highlighting the vibrancy of the Kutch region’s culture and heritage. There's folk music, folk dances, shopping (locally handcrafted goods), and more. You will be surrounded by culture from every direction at the festival. To top this experience, there are luxurious tents to spend the night in the white-coloured desert. On full moon night during Rann Utsav, the region looks even more beautiful.

When: 11 November 2024 - 15 March 2025
Where: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
For more information: www.rannutsav.com

2. Sunburn

Goa is definitely the most happening place this time of the year and if in Goa you know where everyone’s headed to- Sunburn! Sunburn is India’s as well as Asia’s most amazing EDM festival. The Vagator Beach is Sunburn’s playground. Spread over 3 days, the festival has multiple stages with artists playing simultaneously. Read more about visiting Goa around Christmas and New Year here.

When: 28 – 30 December, 2024
Where: Dhargalim, North Goa

3. Magnetic Fields (Rajasthan)

Music festivals seem like a thing for Goa but Rajasthan has been contributing to India's festival scene competently, and Magnetic Fields is one of them.  Held at a 17th-century fort in Alsisar (Rajasthan), this extravaganza music festival involves future-facing music from India and all across the globe. The festival presents new and fresh music concepts and experiences for the new age concertgoers. Enjoy great music and hog on food and drinks in this 3-day event with an excellent lineup of international artists. With some amazing music, it also showcases art installations, yoga sessions ,and treasure hunts. You could also choose to stay in royal suites or tent camps right under the stars. Make sure to have your tickets booked well in advance for a spectacular experience!

When: 6-8 December, 2024
Where: Alsisar, Shekhawati, Rajasthan
For more information: www.magneticfields.in

4. Hot Air Balloon Festival (Karnataka)

Hosted in parts of Hampi, Mysore, and Bidar at the same time, the Hot Air Balloon festival involves swinging with the wind in a clear blue winter sky. This delightful hot air balloon ride not only gives a bird's eye view of heritage sites of Karnataka but also sails through the jungles of Karnataka, amidst the rich natural beauty with the backdrop of the vermillion setting sun. Looking at brightly colored hot air balloons from the ground moving swiftly in the sky is a treat for the eyes. This is a 4-day event hosted by Karnataka tourism to promote aero sports in the state.

When: The whole month of December
Where: Hampi, Mysore, and Bidar

5. Serendipity Arts Festival (Goa)

The Serendipity Arts Festival is a unique festival that sets itself apart by uniting the creative disciplines and showcasing visual, performative, and culinary art practices. Founded in 2016 to foster the development of the underdog and growing art communities across the nation, the festival maintains its depth and rigor by making arts easily accessible, inclusive, and highly educational. 

When: 15 – 22 December 2024
Where: Panjim, Goa
For more information: www.serendipityartsfestival.com

6. Poush Mela (Santiniketan)

Santiniketan's Poush Mela is a vibrant and colourful carnival of the rural population. The Mela which is attended by millions of tourists from across the globe is celebrated with great excitement and joy. Celebrated on the 7th day of the Bengali month Poush, the Mela brings out the true essence of Bengali culture. Different cultures from different parts of the country come together and rejoice here. The carnival comes to life together with talented Baul musicians, local village artists, and tribal dancers, local village artists.

When: 24th to 26th December 2024
Where: Santiniketan, Birbhum district, West Bengal

7. Madras Music Season (Chennai)

With over 2000 performances of classical dance, drama, music, lectures, discussions, spiritual discourse, and more, the Madras Music Festival is a celebration of classical South India. The festival involves performances by renowned artists from all over the country and also allows promising, young and budding artists to display their talent. This cultural fiesta involves Bharat Natyam, violin recitals, classical vocals, among others.

When:  15 December, 2024 – 1 January, 2025
Where: Several venues in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

8. Hornbill Festival

Called the “Festival of Festivals”, the Hornbill Festival is an annual celebration at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama near Kohima. The festival is a mélange of the many tribes of Nagaland and a celebration of their rich culture. The festival is an extravaganza of the local traditions as well as art, food, sports and music. Photo frenzy travellers will have to catch up with the dances, performances, parades, games, and ceremonies that go on till the evenings. The Hornbill Festival is indeed a window to Nagaland.

When: 1 - 10 December 2024
Where: Kohima, Nagaland

9. Galdan Namchot

It is mainly celebrated to commemorate the birthday and the Buddhahood of the Tibetan saint-scholar, Tsongkhapa. Tsongkhapa was the founder of the Gelukpa School that preached Tibetan Buddhism during the 14th century. In the later years, this Gelukpa School emerged as a major and dominant monastic order in the central Tibet region. Galdan Namchat Festival is celebrated with a grand fervour by the people in Ladakh. All the monasteries, as well as other buildings, are lit up to present a beautiful sight across Ladakh. The Galdan Namchot marks the beginning of the New Year celebrations in Ladakh. A custom of the Galdan Namchot Festival is the preparation of all kinds of traditional dishes. An interesting display of fire and light is created by the whirling of the flaming torches which are then thrown away in a gesture to bid farewell to the old year and to welcome the new.

When: 25 December, 2024
Where: Leh

10. Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy

When: 7 December 2024
Where: Kasargod

11. The Winter Festival at Mount Abu

The Winter Festival is held every year during the last week of December. The festival celebrates the warmth and cheerfulness of the people of the hill station. This three days colourful festival is organised by the Rajasthan Tourism and Municipal Board, Mt. Abu. The Winter Festival features traditional dancing, concerts, fairs, and a fireworks display. The festival opens with a procession to Nakki Lake. The grand finale of the festival is made brighter by a display of dazzling fireworks all three days. 

When: 29 December, 2024 – 30 December, 2024
Where: Mount Abu