According to the Gregorian Calendar, December is recognized as the final month of the year; however, this is not the case in the Hindu Calendar. With the arrival of December, days become shorter and nights longer, marking the onset of freezing winters. This month serves as an opportunity for individuals to formulate new year resolutions, establish new objectives, and reflect on cherished memories spent with loved ones. In December, India bursts into life with a vibrant mix of traditional and modern festivals, celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor. Whether you appreciate classical music, have a passion for culture, or simply enjoy art, December in India provides something for everyone. There are countless reasons to travel during this month, ranging from Christmas Eve festivities to New Year’s celebrations. For an enjoyable festive experience, consult the list of December festivals below and plan your travels to align with these extraordinary events as part of your India Tour Packages.
Rann Utsav, Kutch
A tribute to the culture and traditions of Gujarat, Rann Utsav stands as one of the iconic festivals celebrated in India during the month of December. This desert carnival is held in the salt desert of the Great Rann of Kutch, which is among the most picturesque places to visit as part of the Rann of Kutch tour packages. Organized by the residents of Kutch in partnership with Gujarat Tourism, this festival spans three months, commencing on 23rd October 2025 and concluding on 4th March 2026. The event is a true delight, featuring warm hospitality, folk performances, adventure sports, and ethnic displays. Numerous luxury tents are erected on the outskirts of the white salt desert to host visitors. Throughout this festival, the region transforms into a vibrant carnival showcasing local artisans who present traditional textiles, handicrafts, and jewelry. Various government and private entities come together during this event to provide exquisite local cuisine and artifacts to tourists from around the world as part of Gujarat Tour Packages. It is advisable to plan your visit during the full moon nights to witness the breathtaking sight of the white salt desert shimmering in silver under the moonlight.
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Hornbill Festival, Nagaland
Named in honor of the magnificent Indian hornbill, the Hornbill Festival is a traditional cultural celebration cherished by the tribes of Nagaland. This festival is recognized as one of the most prominent festivals in India, and is held at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, close to Kohima, from December 1st to 10th, 2025. Organized by the Nagaland State Tourism and Arts & Culture departments, the festival’s purpose is to rejuvenate and safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland while presenting its ethnic customs and traditions to a global audience. The festival features highlights such as war dances, headhunting rituals, traditional archery, Naga wrestling, the Hornbill National Rock Concert, flower exhibitions, beauty contests, fashion shows, car and bike adventure sports, and a night market. Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to sample local rice beer alongside authentic regional cuisine during the festival feast.
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Hot Air Balloon Festival, Karnataka
Not all Indian festivals are associated with culture and religion; some are linked to adventure, such as the Hot Air Balloon Festival or Balloon Fiesta. The Hot Air Balloon Festival occurs in various locations across Karnataka, including Mysore, Bidar, and Hampi, among the most famous heritage sites near Bangalore. This festival, which is held throughout December, is organized by Karnataka Tourism in a spectacular fashion. The rides, lasting one hour, typically take place in the early morning and at sunset. The event features demonstrations, competitions, and additional activities such as paragliding, flying fox, bungee jumping, and more. There is no experience quite like floating hundreds of feet above the ground, gliding over dense forests, the ancient temple ruins of Hampi, and the palaces of Mysore. Be sure to take a leisurely walk through the ancient ruins of the Hampi kingdom as part of your Karnataka Tour Packages.
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Galdan Namchot, Ladakh
Galdan Namchot is an important festival observed in Leh – Ladakh, which is one of the well-known tourist places in India. This festival is held to honor the birthday of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelukpa School that advocates Tibetan Buddhism in the 14th century. This year, the festival is scheduled for December 25th. Throughout the festival, all monasteries, as well as public and residential buildings, are illuminated across Ladakh. The festival’s main attractions include unique rituals, exhibitions by monasteries, and dance performances by both monks and locals. In Ladakh, people prepare a variety of traditional dishes in their homes and also offer ‘Khatak’, a ceremonial scarf, to their friends and family during this celebration. Furthermore, this festival signifies the beginning of the New Year celebrations in Ladakh, which continue until the Dosmoche festival in February. A captivating display of fire and light is created by the swirling of flaming torches in the air, which are then thrown away as a symbolic gesture to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.
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Mount Abu Winter Festival
The Winter Festival is one of the most mesmerizing December festivals of India celebrated in Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan. Organised by Rajasthan Tourism & Municipal Board, this colourful festival takes place from 29th December to 31st December 2025 in Mount Abu, among the most famous places to visit near Udaipur. The main element of this festival is a large fair for local artisans to showcase their work, along with traditional dance performances of Rajasthan like Daph, Ghoomar, and Gair. Apart from dance performances, concerts, sports competitions like cricket matches, kite flying, and rowing events are also organized. If you are planning to visit the popular fairs and festivals of Rajasthan, this would go perfectly with your Christmas and New Year holiday. Mount Abu is one of the top hill stations in India and among the must include destinations in Rajasthan Tour Packages.
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Perumthitta Tharavad, Kerala
Perumthitta Tharavad is a significant cultural event scheduled for December 2025, generally around mid-December (with some references indicating December 14, 2025). This regional festival of Kerala takes place at the Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy temple in Kasaragod, among the most renowned tourist places near Mangalore. The central feature of this 10-day annual festival is Theyyam, a traditional dance form native to Kerala. Theyyam encompasses over 400 ritual dances that embody mythological, divine, or ancestral spirits. Various types of dances are showcased throughout the 10 days of this festival, preserving the ancient tradition of Thayyams. This festival attracts large crowds as part of Kerala Tour Packages.
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Feast of Francis Xavier, Goa
The feast of St. Francis Xavier is among the most important celebrations in the small state of Goa. This annual event takes place on December 3rd, the actual feast day, following a nine-day Novena that runs from November 24th to December 2nd. Major activities, including special Masses and prayers, are conducted at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which is one of the premier places to visit in Goa. This feast commemorates the anniversary of the burial of St. Francis Xavier, who is regarded as the patron saint of Goa. St. Francis Xavier was a Christian missionary who traveled to India to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His remains are preserved in a silver casket at the Bom Jesus Basilica in Old Goa, and each year, visitors come to pay their respects to St. Francis Xavier. The morning Mass during the feast draws attendees from around the globe. Additionally, a large fair is held during this celebration, which is included in the Goa Tour Packages.
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Chennai Music Festival
Initiated in 1927, the Chennai Music Festival, commonly referred to as the Madras Music Season, celebrates South Indian music and dance, particularly focusing on Carnatic Music. This grand musical event takes place annually from mid-December to mid-January across various venues, including auditoriums, temples, and heritage bungalows throughout Chennai, among the must-include places in Tamil Nadu tour packages. Frequently regarded as the largest cultural event in the world, this immensely popular and eagerly awaited month-long festival showcases over 1000 performances encompassing music, dance, and drama, in addition to music-related seminars, discussions, and demonstrations. Artists from various regions of the country participate in this festival, captivating music enthusiasts. Furthermore, visitors can explore numerous temples, beaches, and historical sites in Tamil Nadu as part of their Chennai Tour Packages.
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Kumbhalgarh Festival, Rajasthan
The Kumbhalgarh Festival, an annual event organized by Rajasthan Tourism, is set against the stunning backdrop of the magnificent Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan. This three-day festival is one of the most significant and culturally enriching celebrations in Rajasthan. Commonly referred to as the Kumbhalgarh Fort festival, it is scheduled to take place from the 1st to the 3rd of December this year in Kumbhalgarh, among the most famous heritage sites near Udaipur. The primary aim of the festival is to promote the rich culture and traditions of Rajasthan. The event showcases local folk performances, a painting competition, turban tying, Tug of War, as well as an art camp, puppet shows, and a puppet-making exhibition. The fort is breathtaking during the day, and at night, it transforms into a spectacular sight as it is illuminated with yellow lights, giving its facade a golden glow. Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of the renowned hill forts in Rajasthan and is a must-visit destination included in Udaipur Tour Packages.
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Konark Festival
Organized by Odisha Tourism, the Konark Dance Festival, a magnificent celebration of Indian classical dance and sand art, was held from December 1st to 5th, 2025, at the Konark Sun Temple and Chandrabhaga Beach in Odisha. This festival is the most renowned in Odisha and ranks among the largest dance festivals in India. Spanning five days, this annual dance festival of Odisha highlights the finest traditional and classical dance forms of India, while also providing fascinating insights into the country’s rich cultural and dance heritage as part of the Odisha tour packages. Classical dancers from various regions of India gather in Konark during this festival to showcase their talents in ancient dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Manipuri, Kathakali, and Sattriya. Furthermore, an exhibition of temple sculptures, a sand art display at the beach, and a crafts fair are also organized during this festival to engage both locals and tourists as part of the Konark tour packages.
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Christmas
Christmas needs no introduction, as it is recognized as one of the largest festivals worldwide and ranks among the most celebrated festivals in India. This event is celebrated every year on December 25th to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Although Christians make up less than 5% of India’s population, Christmas carries significant religious importance in India, especially in areas such as Goa, Pondicherry, Kolkata, Shillong, and Kerala, which are among the most renowned places to visit in India. The festival is characterized by great joy and enthusiasm. People wear their best festive clothing, decorate their homes with Christmas trees, exchange gifts, and indulge in delicious Christmas cake during this time. Important activities during this celebration include the sharing of Christmas greetings, the observance of fasting, and special religious practices such as the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, along with the burning of a Yule log. Family elders frequently dress as Santa Claus to hand out gifts to the younger family members.
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Bishnupur Festival, West Bengal
Bishnupur Festival, one of the regional festivals of India, will be held at Bishnupur Town of Bankura district in West Bengal. Conducted by the West Bengal Government, the festival is celebrated every year around the last week of December near Madanmohana Temple,a mong the top places to visit in Bishnupur. This year, the festivals commenced on 27th December and concluded on 31st December. The festival celebrates the rich heritage of this temple town, which renowned for its stunning terracotta temples and elegant silk sarees. This four day event is the perfect blend of past and the present traditions and is characterized by exhibition and sale of unique handicrafts, sculptures, hand woven and printed clothes along with different cultural events like folk music and dances. People from different parts of India come to this fair to buy various objects of handicrafts.
Mamallapuram Dance Festival
The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is an outdoor dance event set against the stunning backdrop of rock temples in the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, located in Tamil Nadu. Organized by Tamilnadu Tourism, this festival will take place from December 2nd to January 19th, 2026. Spanning four weeks, the festival honors Tamil Nadu’s rich and ancient heritage encompassing music, dance, art, and culture. Attendees can enjoy a diverse array of dance performances from various regions of the country, including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Manipuri, all presented by distinguished artists as part of the Mahabalipuram tour packages. In addition to the dance festival, Mamallapuram, one of the most popular tourist places near Chennai, is celebrated for its ancient rock sculptures and beautiful beaches.
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REFERENCE
Mysore Tour Packages
Hampi Tour Packages
Orissa Tour Packages
Mahabalipuram Tour Packages
