Festivals in January (2024)

Celebrations never end in India. And January is the month when everlasting zeal is seen in cultural festivals and events. There is a plethora of traditional festivals, parades, music, and dance festivals in January, with a lot more you would surely want to be a part of. Here are the best festivals and events that the first month of the year has to offer.

1. Rann of Kutch

Rann of Kutch or Rann Utsav is a 3-month long celebration at the spectacular white salt desert in Kutch. With incredible folk dances, music, handicrafts stalls, adventure sports, and mouthwatering food, the festival showcases the beautiful heritage and culture of the region. Hundreds of luxury tents are spread out in the vast openness of the desert to accommodate tourists.

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

2. International Kite Flying Festival

It is an immense joy watching the sky turn vibrant and colourful with millions of vivid kites flying right from sunrise to sunset at this festival. Kite flyers from all over the world join the celebration as part of the Makar Sankranti festival. In addition to kite flying, there are other eye-catching events such as aerial acrobats, kite making workshops, kite painting competitions, and more. This family-friendly festival celebrates life and fertility.

When: 11 - 14 January 2025
Where: Sabarmati River Front, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

3. Jaipur Literature Festival

Love literature? Make sure to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival to meet renowned authors and speakers and celebrate literature. The 12th edition of Jaipur Literature Festival will be more about science and future. Among the list of trailblazing writers are Jeffery Archer, Yann Martel (Life of Pi), Andre Aciaman (Call Me By Your Name), and Colson Whitehead (The Underground Railroad). The extensive (and impressive) lineup of artists and event schedule is listed on their website.

When: 30th Janurary to 3rd February 2025
Where: Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Website: https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/

4. Bikaner Camel Festival

The Bikaner Camel Festival is where you will see camels in brightly colored attires participating in camel races, beauty pageants, and camel dancing. The festival celebrates the desert animal and how. Seeing camels dance is a sight you wouldn't want to miss. The festival ends with fireworks shows and entertaining performances by Rajasthani folk artists.

When: 11th and 12th January, 2025
Where: Bikaner, Rajasthan

5. Lohri

The joyous festival of Lohri is a celebration of the commencement of the harvest season. Mainly celebrated in Punjab and other parts of North India by Sikh and Hindu communities, the festival involves lighting a holy bonfire, feeding it, offering prayers, and dance performances. The fire signifies the passing of winters, the long nights, and welcomes summer, the longer days.

When: 13th January, 2025
Where: Punjab and some other parts of Northern India

6. Madras Music Festival

A platform for all upcoming and renowned music artists, the Madras Music Festival is the largest annual cultural music event in India. It showcases traditional dances, South Indian Carnatic music, and other arts as well. More than 1000 performances take place all over Chennai during this month-long fest. In addition to this, there are several music-related seminars, demonstrations, and discussions.

When: 15th December, 2024 to 1st January, 2025
Where: All over Chennai, Tamil Nadu

7. Republic Day

Celebrated to honour The Constitution of India, Republic Day is a national festival involving a spectacular parade showcasing the three divisions of Indian Forces ? Army, Navy, and Airforce. This year would count as the 70th Republic Day and also the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Hence, the chief guest this year will be South Africa's president Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa because of Gandhi's close link to the country.

When: 26th January
Where: New Delhi

8. Pongal

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in the South to thank nature. Cooking the Pongal dish, making rangolis, dancing, and getting together with families are some of the highlights of this festival. Celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu, Pongal is all about love and happiness.

When: 14th - 17th January 2025
Where: South India

9. Araku Balloon Festival

Organized by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism, the second edition of Araku Balloon festival brings you hot air balloon rides amidst nature, overnight camp stays in the wilderness, coffee plantation tours, and cultural excursions of Araku. The festival is your chance to soak in natural landscapes, aromatic coffee plantations, cultural ethnicity of the region, wonderful waterfalls, and all that the valley of Araku offers.

When: Janurary, 2025
Where: Araku, Andhra Pradesh

10. Ajanta Ellora International Festival

This one has classical dances and music, an equally enchanting backdrop of the caves and closeby monuments, as well as a whopping 300 stalls to local arts and crafts. Rangoli, Mehndi, Essay, Cookery and many more such competitions also find themselves on the schedule. However, it is best to check dates with MTDC for this one before you plan your trip.