17 Most Beautiful Festivals in December 2024 in India with Dates and Images

December 2024 in India is loaded with bright and joyous festivities as various carnivals bring delight and artistic importance. Among the festivals in December 2024, Christmas is widely memorialised, particularly in states like Kerala and Goa, where enthusiastic parades, adornments, and amazing church assistance are daily. This cheerful season is a lovely combination of spiritual and artistic festivals. The list of festivals in Dec 2024 also has Gita Jayanti, a mighty Hindu festival observing the advent of the Bhagavad Gita. Observed with much reverence in places like Kurukshetra Haryana, this celebration features spiritual sermons, bhajans, and recitations. Believers come together to celebrate the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, creating this event a special feature of the festivals.

One of the most foreseen December 2024 festivals is the Hornbill Festival, observed in Nagaland. Known as the “Festival of Festivals,” this week-long occasion presents the rich civilisation, music, and traditional proms of the Naga tribes. It is a pivotal appeal for visitors glancing to participate in the rich legacy of northeastern India, observing it as a must-see festival. An essential Indian festival in December is Christmas, celebrated nationwide with great spirit. Cities like Mumbai and Kolkata glimpse beautifully decorated lanes and communities, while unique midnight gatherings and charity occasions make the season even more special. The essence of accord and fun during Christmas brings together people of distinct faiths, signifying peace and goodwill.

Another famous December festival in India is the Winter Festival of Mount Abu, Rajasthan. This annual event showcases the state’s rich artistic legacy, featuring customary dances, folk concerts, and boat ethnicities. Held in the backdrop of the picturesque Aravalli hills, the Winter Festival is an excellent place for those desiring to experience the creative and artistic diversity of Rajasthan in December. Glorifying the various festivals in December India, this time presents unique artistic experiences and rich festivals. From the spiritual Gita Jayanti to the festive Christmas and the vibrant Hornbill Festival, December in India is a carnival month, combining people from diverse regions and scenes in intercommunicated artistic and spiritual fervour.

Check the list of Festivals in December 2024 in India:

S.No.	Festivals in December	Festivals Dates	Location
1	Kumbhalgarh Festival	Sun, 01-Dec- To Tue, 03-Dec-2024	84 kms north of Udaipur
2	Feast of Francis Xavier	Tue, 03 Dec 2024	Goa, India
3	International Sand Art Festival	Sun, 01 Dec To Thu, 05 Dec 2024	Chandrabhaga 70 Kms from Bhubaneswar, Odisha
4	Konark Festival	Sun, 01 Dec To Thu, 05 Dec 2024	Konark, 64 Kms from Bhubaneswar, Odisha
5	Hornbill Festival	Sun, 01 Dec To Tue, 10 Dec 2024	Kisama village, 12 kms from Kohima
6	Perumthitta Tharavad	Dec 2024	Kasaragod, near Kerala, 70 kms from Mangalore
7	Magnetic Fields Festival	Fri, 06 Dec To Sun, 08 Dec 2024	Alsisar, 26 Kms from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.
8	Karthigai Deepam	Fri, 13 Dec, 2024	Tamil Nadu
9	Cochin Carnival	Wed, 25 Dec 2024 To Wed, 01 Jan 2025	Kochi Fort, 45kms from kochin, Kerala
10	Rann Utsav	Fri, 01 Nov 2024 to Fri, 28 Feb 2025	Dhordo, 80 kms from Bhuj
11	Kurukshetra Festival, Haryana	Wed, 11 Dec 2024	Kurukshetra, 100kms from Chandigarh, Haryana
12	Hot Air Balloon Festival, Hampi	Date Yet to be Decide	Hampi, Mysuru, Bangalore, Pushkar
13	Winter Festival Mount Abu, Rajasthan	Sun, 29 Dec to Tues, 31 Dec 2024	Mount Abu, 163 Kms from Udaipur, Rajasthan
14	Galdan Namchot, Ladakh	Sun, 22 Dec 2024 To Tue, 21 Jan 2025	All over Ladhak, 8km from Leh
15	Mamallapuram Dance Festival	25-Dec-2023 to 15-Jan-2024	Mahabalipuram, 61 kms from Chennai
16	Christmas	Wed, 25-Dec-2024	All over India
17	New Year’s Eve	Tue, 31Dec 2024 to Wed, 01Dec 2025	All over India

December Festivals 2024 Chart:

1- Kumbhalgarh Festival(Sun, 01-Dec- To Tue, 03-Dec-2024)

Kumbhalgarh festival is celebrated in the Kumbhalgarh Fort of Udaipur, India. This festival continues for three days, and each day is uniquely celebrated. This is a cultural festival and attracts numerous tourists. You can find all kinds of cultural activities during this festival. It is a delight for the tourists to witness such a wide variety of art under one roof, giving them the true essence of Rajasthan.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: Dance and music by folk groups, Puppet shows, Exhibitions, Art and craft camps and workshops

Where: 84 kms north of Udaipur

2- Feast of Francis Xavier(Tue, 03 Dec 2024)

Feast of Francis Xavier is celebrated in Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa, India. This is an annual feast during which the mummified body of Francis Xavier is kept on display inside the Basilica of Goa. He was one of the Christian missionaries who came to India to spread the religion. This festival marks the anniversary of his burial, and a large feast and a fair are conducted.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: Special mass, Rituals and celebrations

Where: Goa, India

3- International Sand Art Festival(Sun, 01 Dec To Thu, 05 Dec 2024)

This festival of Chandrabhaga beach, Odisha, attracts thousands of visitors. International Sand Art Festival aims to encourage the young sand artists of the state to display their masterpieces on the golden sands of the river, which will help them to expose their artistic excellence and to promote Odisha tourism across the globe. There is competition among the artists, and awards and trophies will be given to the winners. At this festival, you can witness the magnificent sculptures of sand artists showcasing their talent and creating masterpieces with sand.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: Photography, Sand Arts, Beach View, Beautiful Sunset and Sunrise, Beach Festival

4- Konark Festival, Odisha(Sun, 01 Dec To Thu, 05 Dec 2024)

The Konark festival is celebrated in the Konark temple of Odisha, India. This festival is celebrated to enhance awareness and interest in the cultural art forms of the region. Many cultural activities and performances occur on the Natyashala stage of the famous Sun temple. This is the largest dance festival in Odisha. 

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Enjoy dance performances of many traditional forms like Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and others, 2- Musical performances, including vocal, violin recital, and other instrumental music, 3- Rajasthani and Odissi folk dance and music celebrations by local artists.

Where: Konark, 64 Kms from Bhubaneswar, Odisha

5- Hornbill Festival, Nagaland(Sun, 01 Dec To Tue, 10 Dec 2024)

Hornbill festival is celebrated in Kohima of Nagaland, India. This is a traditional and cultural celebration enjoyed by the local tribes of the state. This festival celebrates local life, heritage, food, artwork, and others.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are as follows: 1- Enjoy the traditional war dance performed by the local tribal warriors, 2- Enjoy Hornbill national rock concert, 3- Taste the local rice beer, 4- Visit the night market and buy unique souvenirs, 5- Enjoy the car and bike adventure sports, 6- Take part in traditional games conducted, 7- Enjoy the unique headhunting rituals, 8- Taste the local cuisine during the feast thrown during the festival.

Where: Kisama village, 12 kms from Kohima

6- Perumthitta Tharavad(Dec 2024)

Perumthitta Tharavad is a regional festival. This is celebrated in Kerala with colour, grandeur, and culture. The main element of this festival is the dance. The dancers coat themselves in the paint from head to toe to represent mythological characters. The facial expressions of the dancers are a top-notch element of the dance. This dance is called Theyyam. It is the traditional dance of Kerala.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Watching different styles of dance performances, Unique rituals in the temple, Cultural music and mime performances, Ancient dance and music performances by tribal.

Where: Kasaragod, near Kerala, 70 kms from Mangalore

7- Magnetic Fields Festival(Fri, 06 Dec To Sun, 08 Dec 2024)

This festival has no constant venue. This is a talent festival in Rajasthan. This camping festival lasts three days and is open for all budding artists to stage their performances. Magnetic Fields Festival is a music festival held in Alsisar, Rajasthan, India. Magnetic Fields is our community; it is a festival that absorbs and unites participants, crew, artists, and guests. 

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: Kite flying competition, Yoga workshops in the morning, Treasure hunts, private parties, and other games, Workshop for music, cooking, and other activities, Camping and stargazing in the desert, Adventure spots in the desert

Where: Alsisar, 26 Kms from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.

8- Karthigai Deepam(Fri, 13 Dec, 2024)

Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in several regions of Tamil Nadu, especially the Murugan temples. This festival marks the birth of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Lord Shiva. Murugan temples around the country would be decorated with earthen lamps, cultural performances, rituals, and much more. The locals decorate their houses with hundreds of earthen oil lamps and burst crackers, and share delicacies with one another. 

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Visit any of the Murugan temples to take part in rituals, 2- Take part in processions where pilgrims carry pots of milk and water or even pierce themselves with small Vel (a spear) as a token of sacrifice., 3- Many cultural celebrations, including music and dance, will be conducted by temples.

Where: Tamil Nadu.

9- Cochin Carnival(Wed, 25 Dec 2024 To Wed, 01 Jan 2025)

The Cochin Carnival festival is celebrated in Cochin, India and this is the festival of fun. The festival’s main aim is to bring locals together, celebrate on Christmas days, to make more locals participate. There is an activity for everyone in this carnival. The main highlight of the carnival is the massive procession on New Year’s Day, led by elephants in ornamental trappings.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Cultural performances, dances, and music performances. The iconic performance is the Panchavadyam, a music made with a blend of five instruments, 2- Beach activities like beach bike races, beach volleyball, and beach football, 3- Elephant Parade and processions.

Where: Kochi Fort, 45kms from kochin, Kerala.

10- Rann Utsav, Kutch(Fri, 01 Nov 2024 to Fri, 28 Feb 2025)

Rann Utsav festival is celebrated in Kutch, Gujarat, India. Rann of Kutch is the largest salt desert in India. This festival is celebrated in the desert to express the locals’ culture and traditions.  One can see all kinds of cultural activities and attractions in the middle of the desert. Tourists and locals venture into the desert, camp together, and enjoy these celebrations.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Musical performances, dance performances, story recitals, 2- Cultural performances
Camel riding, horse riding, archery, paramotoring, 3- adventure activities will be available for people in the desert, 4- Enjoy elite feasts during this celebration.

Where: Dhordo, 80 kms from Bhuj

 11- Kurukshetra Festival(Wed, 11 Dec 2024):

Kurukshetra Festival festival is celebrated in Haryana, India. Kurukshetra is the renowned battlefield where the epic Mahabharat battle took place. This is also the place where Lord Krishna recited Bhagavad Gita for the first time. To mark this, the Kurukshetra festival is celebrated by pilgrims in Haryana and the regions around it. Every activity of this festival revolves around the holy book. From music recital to drama, many cultural activities are performed to stage stories and mythologies of Bhagavad Gita. Many temples host unique rituals during this festival.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Holy dip in Sannihit Sarovar. The holy dip is said to remove earthly sins from the soul, 2- Watch religious heads performing recitals and stories revolving around Bhagavad Gita. 3– Drama and dance performances take place in the temples
Free medical camps are conducted around the region. 4- Book exhibitions are conducted where books related to Bhagavad Gita are sold.

Where: Kurukshetra, 100kms from Chandigarh, Haryana

12- Hot Air Balloon Festival, Hampi(Date Yet to Decide):

Hot Air Balloon festival is celebrated in Hampi, Bidar, and Mysore in Karnataka, India. This festival continues the entire month of December. This festival takes place in numerous states. In December, the festival is enjoyed in a grand manner in South India. This festival is all about flying above the land in a large colourful hot air balloon.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Flying in hot air balloons. 2- Watching hundreds of balloons decorating the regions. 3- You can find small stalls near the festival region to buy simple toys and basic souvenirs.

Where: Hampi, Mysuru, Bangalore, Pushkar

13- Winter Festival Mount Abu, Rajasthan(Sun, 29 Dec to Tues, 31 Dec 2024):

Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan. Its mesmerising beauty makes it a paradise for adventure lovers, honeymooning couples, friend groups, and family tourists. Mount Abu’s winter festival is celebrated with heart and soul near New Year’s Eve. The festival is jointly organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Municipal Board of Mount Abu. 

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Folk dance, 2- Pleasant music, 3- Meaningful poetry, 4- Traditional dancingConcerts, 5- Fairs and fireworks display

Where: Mount Abu, 163 Kms from Udaipur, Rajasthan 

14- Galdan Namchot, Ladakh(Wed, 25 Dec 2024):

The Tibetian new year is known as Galdan Namchot. People of Ladakh are majorly Buddhist and thus, the festival holds its significance for them. The day commemorates the birth and death of a revered Buddhist Monk. The festival is celebrated mainly in the Himalayan regions, especially in the Ladakh area. Monasteries are decorated and lit with butter lamps on this auspicious day. Local people dressed vividly perform the traditional dance on the beats of age-old musical instruments. People prepare and share dishes like Thukpa, Momo, and Butter tea.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Music, 2- Dance, 3- Feasts, 4- Gifts

Where: All over Ladhak, 8km from Leh

15- Mamallapuram Dance Festival(Sun, 22 Dec 2024 To Tue, 21 Jan 2025)

Mamallapuram is a historic port city, a heritage land filled with cave sculptures, paintings, carvings, inscriptions, and others. This 8^th-century city gets a more significant crowd at the end of December for the dance festival. This festival commemorates the dance forms of the country. You can find dancers from around the country taking part in the ceremony to perform state dances of the country, like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, and others.

Activities to enjoy during the festival are:

Watch dancers perform enthralling traditional dance performances
You can find dance skits explaining mythological stories from Radha-Krishna romantic tale, Mahabharatham, and others.
Watch rare forms of folk dances like Kokkali Attam, Kavadi, Karagam
Music performances also take part between dance shows
Many stalls will be erected around the region for souvenir shopping.

Duration of the Festival:  Mamallapuram Dance Festival is a 30-day festival that celebrate annually in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.

Where: Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu

16- Christmas(Wed, 25-Dec-2024):

The birthday of Jesus Christ is solemnized with great joy. Christmas is once a year held on December 25. Usually, the Christians celebrate Christmas by attending events in Church, spending time with dear ones, putting up new dress and eating a cheerful meal. After the service, the church bells ring to announce that Christmas Day has arrived.

The unique attractions and activities to enjoy during the festival are:

Churches
Christmas tree
Carols at the church
Going on outings with family

Duration of the Festival: 25-Dec-2022
Where: All over India

 17- New Year’s Eve(Tue, 31Dec 2024 to Wed, 01Dec 2025)

The English new year is celebrated with great joy and fun. The eve of the last day is celebrated with evening parties and fireworks. The parties continue into the early hours of January 1st of next year. People celebrate New Year’s Eve by attending parties bidding farewell to the finishing year and to celebrate and welcome the year to come. There are a lot of places in India that host grand New Year events and parties where people from over the world gather and celebrate.

The unique attractions and activities to enjoy during the festival are: 1- Make your new year resolutions, 2- Spend your beginning of the year with your loved ones., 3- Do charity.

Where: All over India

India can never have enough fairs and festivals. A lot more local fairs and festivals are still left in this list. If you ever get a chance to witness any of these December beauties then do visit and experience our fairs and festivals and enjoy it to the fullest.