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India is known for its rich cultural diversity, reflected in the wide list of festivals in India celebrated across all states and regions. From religious festivals like Diwali and Eid to national festivals of India like Independence Day, each event showcases a unique blend of tradition, spirituality, and unity. This article compiles the most inclusive 2025 festival calendar, highlighting both gazetted and non-gazetted holidays across Indian states.
The festivals of India are more than events; they are vibrant celebrations of shared heritage. Whether it’s the glowing lights of Diwali in the north or the colorful flower arrangements during south Indian festivals like Onam and Pongal, the experiences are unforgettable. Each Indian festival plays a unique role in our cultural narrative.
With 28 states and 8 union territories, the festivals of India state wise represent extraordinary diversity giving away a list of festivals that are likely to be celebrated around India.
| Day | Date | Festival Name |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 15 January | Makar Sankranti / Pongal |
| Sunday | 02 February | Vasant Panchami |
| Tuesday | 11 February | Thaipusam |
| Wednesday | 26 February | Maha Shivaratri |
| Thursday | 13 March | Holika Dahan |
| Friday | 14 March | Holi |
| Saturday | 29 March | Hindi New Year |
| Sunday | 30 March | Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Telugu New Year |
| Sunday | 06 April | Ram Navami |
| Saturday | 12 April | Hanuman Jayanti |
| Monday | 14 April | Vaisakhi / Baisakhi / Vishu |
| Monday | 14 April | Bengali New Year / Bihu |
| Monday | 14 April | Tamil New Year |
| Friday | 30 May | Akshaya Tritiya |
| Tuesday | 10 June | Savitri Pooja |
| Friday | 27 June | Puri Rath Yatra |
| Thursday | 10 July | Guru Purnima |
| Tuesday | 29 July | Nag Panchami |
| Friday | 08 August | Varalakshmi Vrat |
| Saturday | 09 August | Raksha Bandhan |
| Saturday | 16 August | Krishna Janmashtami |
| Wednesday | 27 August | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| Thursday | 04 September | Onam |
| Wednesday | 17 September | Vishwakarma Puja |
| Sunday | 21 September | Mahalaya Amavasya |
| Monday | 22 September | Navaratri begins |
| Sunday | 28 September | Durga Puja begins |
| Wednesday | 01 October | Navaratri ends / Maha Navami |
| Thursday | 02 October | Dusshera |
| Monday | 06 October | Sharad Purnima |
| Thursday | 09 October | Karwa Chauth |
| Saturday | 18 October | Dhanteras |
| Tuesday | 21 October | Diwali |
| Thursday | 23 October | Bhai Dooj |
| Monday | 27 October | Chhath Puja |
| Wednesday | 05 November | Kartik Poornima |
| Monday | 01 December | Geeta Jayanti |
| Tuesday | 16 December | Dhanu Sankranti |
India’s festivals represent the strong culture of various states. Every region has its unique festivals to celebrate its traditions. All these different celebrations bring communities happiness and harmony. It is the local customs that make these celebrations unique in the entire country. Let’s look at what’s included in the 28 states of India and their main festival list:
From festivals in North India like Diwali and Baisakhi to local traditions in Himachal Pradesh, the northern region celebrates culture with zeal.
| State | Major Festivals | Time of Year | Significance |
| Punjab | Baisakhi (Harvest Festival) | April | The victory of light over darkness; celebration of colours |
| Uttar Pradesh | Diwali (Festival of Lights, Holi (Festival of Colours) | Oct-Nov, March | The victory of light over darkness; a celebration of colours |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Eid, Navroz | Variable, March | Marks harvest season and the birth of Khalsa |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kullu Dussehra | October | Unique 7-day celebration with local deities |
| Uttarakhand | Makar Sankranti | January | Sun’s northward journey celebration |
The south Indian festivals like Pongal, Ugadi, and Onam represent harmony with nature, harvest, and local deities. These festivals are highlighted prominently in the 2025 holiday calendar India.
| State | Major Festivals | Time of Year | Special Features |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal | January | Four-day harvest festival with unique rituals |
| Kerala | Onam | August-September | Ten-day celebration with boat races |
| Karnataka | Ugadi, Mysore Dasara | March-April, October | New Year celebrations, Royal processions |
| Andhra Pradesh | Sankranti | January | Three-day harvest festival with kite flying |
| Telangana | Bathukamma | September-October | Nine-day floral festival |
Western India’s festival schedule is full of colour and excitement. From the dancing nights in Gujarat to the community celebrations in Maharashtra, these festivals show the lively cultural fabric of India. The table below mentions some of the main festivals celebrated among the 28 states of India, and their main festivals list:
| State | Major Festivals | Time of Year | Unique Elements |
| Rajasthan | Gangaur, Teej | March-April, July | Women-centric celebrations |
| Gujarat | Navratri, Uttarayan | Oct-Nov, January | World’s longest dance festival; International kite festival |
| Maharashtra | Ganesh Chaturthi | August-September | 10-day community celebration |
| Goa | Carnival, Shigmo | February, March | Portuguese influence; Spring festival |
East India’s festivals are a colourful mix of devotion, music, and community spirit. These festivals unite people to honour their rich cultural traditions and local deities. Some of the main festivals of eastern India are mentioned in the table below, which you can also find in the 28 states of India and their main festivals list PDF:
| State | Major Festivals | Time of Year | Cultural Highlights |
| West Bengal | Durga Puja | September-October | Artistic pandals and cultural performances |
| Odisha | Rath Yatra | June-July | World’s largest chariot festival |
| Assam | Bihu | April, October, January | Dedicated to the Sun God with unique rituals |
| Bihar | Chhath Puja | October-November | Dedicated to Sun God with unique rituals |
| Jharkhand | Sarhul | March-April | Tribal spring festival |
Many people ignore the central and northeast regions when they search for the 28 states of India and their main festivals list with pictures. There are peculiar festivals in 2025 in the central and northeastern parts of India that most people do not know. These festivals also represent the local cultures that make India’s festivals really diverse. The table below lists some of the key festivals of this part of India:
| State | Major Festivals | Time of Year | Distinguished Features |
| Madhya Pradesh | Khajuraho Dance Festival | February | Classical dance performances |
| Chhattisgarh | Bastar Dussehra | October | 75-day-long celebration |
| Nagaland | Hornbill Festival | December | Showcase of all tribal cultures |
| Manipur | Yaoshang | March | Five-day spring festival |
| Meghalaya | Wangala | November | Harvest thanksgiving ceremony |
| Mizoram | Chapchar Kut | March | Harvest Thanksgiving ceremony |
Indian festivals connect the past with the present. Each celebration shares a unique story about our history. The streets are filled with traditional music. Homes smell wonderful because of the special foods. Children learn old traditions by joining in fun activities. The following are some other reasons why festivals have a massive significance in India:
India is also home to rare and cyclical festivals that are celebrated once every few years or decades, making them spiritually significant and culturally extraordinary.
India’s festivals are a vibrant thread weaving through its historical, spiritual, and social fabric. Whether it’s a Hindu festival, a religious festival, or a national festival, the list of upcoming festivals in India tells a compelling story of unity in diversity. With the 2025 festival calendar, you can explore all festivals of India, from ancient rituals to modern celebrations across the country’s diverse states.
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India has many significant festivals that depict the nation’s rich cultural diversity. Two of the very popular ones in India are the festivals of lights and colours, Diwali and Holi, respectively. Also, Eid and Christmas, Navratri, Durga Puja, and Onam take place with a different style of traditions for each specific region.
India has several hundred festivals, more than 50 significant ones within its 28 states. The 10 famous festivals of India are Diwali, Holi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, Navratri, Durga Puja, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Baisakhi and Onam.
Baisakhi is the most important harvest festival in Punjab. It also marks the beginning of the Punjabi New Year and wheat harvesting. Pongal is a significant festival in Tamil Nadu. This four-day festivity is an occasion to give thanks to God for the good harvest of that year, which every year falls in mid-January.
Festivals of India are a symbol of unity in diversity. They help conserve cultural traditions, enhance social bonding, and strengthen faith in religious beliefs. Celebrations like Diwali and Eid bring togetherness, and events like Holi and Onam bring immense joy. Economically, they boost tourism and support local businesses, adding richness to India’s heritage and growth.
Here are 20 of the most popular festivals celebrated across India:
Diwali, Holi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, Navratri, Durga Puja, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal,
Makar Sankranti, Dussehra, Maha Shivratri, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Bihu, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Republic Day
The Northeast has unique and vibrant festivals. The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland depicts tribal culture and is called the “Festival of Festivals.” Bihu in Assam celebrates the harvest season with dance and music. Wangala in Meghalaya, the festival of 100 drums, is a harvest celebration for the Sun God and depicts the region’s traditions.
India celebrates over 50 major festivals across its 28 states and 8 union territories, with hundreds of regional and community-based festivals held annually. Each state adds its own traditional and religious festivals, making India one of the most festival-rich countries in the world.
Here are 12 prominent festivals commonly recognized nationwide:
Diwali, Holi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, Navratri, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal, Makar Sankranti
Authored by, Muskan Gupta
Content Curator
Muskan believes learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore. With years of experience in content creation and strategy, she specializes in educational topics, online earning opportunities, and general knowledge. She enjoys sharing her insights through blogs and articles that inform and inspire her readers. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her hopping between bookstores and bakeries, always in search of her next favorite read or treat.
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