1. January: Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur The 2025 edition of the ‘World’s Biggest Literary Festival’ is set to showcase a confluence of voices from literature, politics, science, and the arts.

The stage is set to be graced by Masterchef Matt Preston, historian William Dalrymple, and screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar among others. Dates: 30 January 2025 to 3 February 2025. For more details, click here.

2. February: Shoonya Festival, Rishikesh Imagine spending three days in the solitude of the Ganges and doing…absolutely nothing!

In the calm of Rishikesh — this year’s destination of choice — you’ll be partaking in rejuvenating activities, mindfulness sessions, and a host of self-discovery workshops. Dates: 14 February 2025 to 16 February 2025. For more details, click here.

3. March: Chapchar Kut, Mizoram The spring festival marks the end of the jungle-clearing spree in Mizoram. It is a toast to the hard work of the Mizo people.

It is fascinating to watch communities uniting to celebrate in song and dance, with women in their fineries cheering the village youth, who dance to the beat of drums. Date: 7 March 2025.

4. April: Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Music Festival, Himachal The festival is held annually at the Baikunth Resort in Kasauli, Himachal, with artists from across India heading here to showcase their work.

At the heart of this initiative is an attempt to support critically ill, and underprivileged children suffering from Congenital Heart Disorder (CHD). Dates: 18 April 2025 to 20th April 2025. For more details, click here.

5. May: Ooty Summer Festival, Ooty The Summer Festival is a hive of activity, promising its patrons a spectacular vegetable show and flower show where thousands of pots are arranged at the Botanical Garden. Dates: May (dates yet to be announced).

6. June: São João Festival, Goa The fest’s origins date back to the 16th century when the Portuguese first arrived in Goa, and its grandeur has been sustained through the centuries.

Participants parade the streets wearing kopel (crowns made of fruits and flowers), symbolic of the joy and the abundance brought by the monsoon. Date: 24 June 2025.

7. July: Hemis Festival, Ladakh The festival is held in Hemis Gompa, one of the most-visited monasteries in Leh, and marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.

The celebrations are characterised by scenes of masked people performing chams (dances) to the beat of drums and cymbals. Dates: July 2025 (dates yet to be announced).

8. August: Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala The Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, Kerala sees chundan vallams (snake boats) race through the waters at breakneck speed.

The festival is named after former prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who visited Kerala in 1952, and was so enthralled by the rhythmic motion of the boats that he jumped into one of them. Date: Second Saturday of August. For more details, click here.

9. September: ZIRO Festival, Arunachal Pradesh The ZIRO Festival, started in 2012, promotes indigenous tribes and artists from the Northeast.

It also shines the spotlight on the cultural diversity of the Northeast, creating employment for localities, and providing a platform for showcasing the crafts of the region. Dates: September (dates yet to be announced). For more details, click here.

10. October: Jio MAMI Film Festival, Mumbai With an enigmatic cult following, the festival has risen to the ranks of the ‘world’s most prestigious South Asian Film Festival’.

Since 1997, the festival has drawn the best of contemporary world cinema and talent to the city of Mumbai. Dates: October (dates yet to be announced). For more details, click here.

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11. November: Indian Photo Festival, Hyderabad Through talks and discussions, exhibitions, portfolio reviews, screenings, book launches, and workshops, the Indian Photo Festival touches upon the intricacies of photography and its interwoven role of advocacy. Dates: November (dates yet to be announced). For more details, click here.

12. December: Mei-Ramew, Meghalaya The festival celebrates indigenous food and innovative dishes and also acts as a stage for discussion around agrobiodiversity-related issues. The aim is to revive forgotten recipes, and intricate cooking methods. Dates: December (dates yet to be announced).

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