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India’s festival scene has become a force to reckon with on a global scale. With festivals like Magnetic Fields being listed as one of the top 50 festivals in the world by TimeOut, we can be sure that we are where it’s at right now. As more and more people find value in experiential travel, artists and event management companies are ready like never before to bring it to them. Festival season is upon us, and we thought it best to give you a guide to the best festivals in India for this season. From music to dance to literature, we’ve got them all. Warning: This article may be the cause for spontaneous travel plans and outrageous outfits. You’ll have us to thank later.
The festivals have been listed in chronological order, so make sure to plan accordingly!
I. Hornbill Festival
Where: Kisama, Nagaland
When: December 1st - December 10th
The Hornbill festival is one of the most unique festivals in India, in that it is a celebration of all the tribes of Nagaland. It is a rich display of cultures and traditions of these tribes including their handicrafts, handlooms, indegenous cuisine and folk art and music galore. You get to camp in the Kisama valley and jam under the stars - what’s not to love?
Cost: Super easy on the wallet, at only INR 1700
Don’t Miss: The Rice Beer that will be in abundance!
To buy your tickets, go here.
Where: Pune
When: December 2nd - December 4th
This festival doesn’t need any introduction. Weekender is back for it’s 7th edition in Pune, and it just gets better every time. This year, headlining the event are Jose Gonzalez, Steven Wilson, and The Joy Formidable. If you’ve got the weekend off, don’t even think even think about it - just go. When you’re not on festival grounds, make sure to eat your way through our Weekender munchies list!
Cost: Rs. 2500 to Rs. 4250
Don’t miss: A single moment! Don’t even blink - not once. Got it?
Click here for the whole lineup and to buy tickets
Where: Bangalore
When: December 4th
Three huge international artists from the prog-rock and indie scene will be under one roof in Bangalore. This event has been curated by one of our favuorite concept venues, The Humming Tree. Backdoors is a biannual outdoor music experience that brings international artists right to your backyard, so to speak. The event is going to be held at The Indiranagar Club, and you better check if you can score some tickets because this one is nearly sold out!
Cost: Rs. 3000 (It’s Totally worth it!)
Don’t Miss: Any of it!
IV. Magnetic Fields
Where: Alsisar Mahal, Rajasthan
When: December 9th - 11th
A 17th Century Palace in the middle of the desert, renowned artists from around the globe, camping out in the dunes or living like a royal in the palatial rooms, all with a strong held community who come back every year as though on pilgrimage - this is a festival you shouldn’t miss. This year’s edition is headlined by Floating Points, Roman Flugel, Dorian Concept and Helena Hauff. Book your adventure here!
Cost: Rs. 8500 - Rs. 53000 (depends on which adventure you choose)
Don’t miss: Magnetic Words, where storytelling takes centrestage for the first time in the festival’s history, and The Piano Man dungeon afterparty.
When: December 12th - March 29th
Where: Kochi
It’s back! The third edition of the Kochi Biennale is all set, and we’re just waiting for the curtain to fall. Curated by Mangalore born - Bombay based artist Sudarshan Shetty, this will be his first curatorial venture. Apart from the main art exhibit, the Biennale will be spread across an array of venues hosting talks, seminars, workshops, film screenings, and music sessions. Click here for the full list of artists whose works will be on display.
Cost: To Be Confirmed
Don’t Miss: The Student’s Biennale
Where: 7 Venues Across Goa
When: December 16th - 23rd
This festival, to be held on the banks of the river Mandovi, is a celebration of visual, performing and culinary arts. This festival is a cultural experiment of sorts that aims to affect the way Indians interact with art on a daily basis by addressing issues such as arts education, patronage culture, interdisciplinary discourse, and accessibility of the arts. Film screenings, immersive art, talks and workshops as well as live performances are all on the cards. If you’re looking for places to stay, we’ve got 9 of the best budget airbnb homestays in Goa this season right here.
Cost: Varies across the 7 venues (some events are free of cost). Registration is required - click here to register.
Don’t Miss: The Feni Appreciation Course
VII. New Wave Asia
Where: New Delhi
When: December 16th - 18th
India’s only punk festival is back, and in the capital this year. The festival is split between Raasta and Anti Social - both perfect venues for this scene. Watch out for Curtain Blue, Tejas and Ramya Pothouri at Raasta, and Awkward Bong, Outliners, Begum, and PCRC at AntiSocial. You can read more about what to expect here.
Cost: Raasta - Free and AntiSocial is at Rs. 600 a day
Don’t Miss: Ilhaam Project - The first international act of the festival
Where: Aamby Valley City
When: December 17th - 18th
With 5 massive stages and a fully fledged campsite called Enchanted Village, EVC is back! Headlining the festival are Flo Rida, Farhan Akhtar, Arijit Singh, Alan Walker and Jeremy Olander to name a few. This multi genre music festival has so much to offer beyond the music - poi workshops, silent noise parties, jam sessions, bonfires - the whole shabang. If you’re in Mumbai that weekend, drive out and make some memories. If you’re still unconvinced, visit their website for complete lineup information.
Cost: Rs. 1700 - 7000
Don’t Miss: The massive drum circles at the campsite
IX. Day of sLick
Where: Goa
When: December 26th - 27th
sLick, an artist management agency from Mumbai who are known to represent artists in the techno/house genre, are all set to throw it down in Goa this year. ‘Day of Slick’ is their signature property, and this would be their first ever two day ediiton in Goa. Rumour has it that Seven Doors, Dustin Zahn and Patrice Baumel are going to take over the decks, according to Festival Sherpa. The festival will be held at Waters Beach Lounge and Grill, so expect some multi level awesomeness.
Cost: Check their event page for information to come
Don’t Miss: If the rumours are to be beliveed, don’t miss Nina Kravitz!
X. Sunburn
Where: Pune
When: December 28th - 31st
Sunburn has shifted it’s home base to Pune, and although this might mean fewer people than the average turnout in Goa, it’s still looking to be just as intense as ever. Headlining this year’s edition are Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Axwell & Ingrosso and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike to name a few. Check out their website for complete lineup information.
Cost: We’re still waiting on this one
Don’t Miss: Their pre-parties!
Where: Goa
When: December 28th - 31st
AnjunaDeep, Above and Beyond’s deep house and progressive imprint, is coming to India this December as a part of Sumberge’s Satellite Beachside, and where else more fitting than Goa? Without too much lineup information being given, we know that the usual suspects are sure to be found- Ash Roy, Nikhil Chinapa, Pearl, Browncoat, Pravin Achary, Tuhin Mehta and Arjun Vagale. The NYE event will feature BLOT! and Pearl. The rest of the lineup will be revealed shortly.
Cost: Early Bird Passes available now at Rs. 3325
Don’t Miss: AnjunaDeep - This is the first time this label is coming to India
Where: Diggi Palace, Jaipur
When: January 19th - 23rd
The New York Times describes the festival as “Like Hay dropping Acid”. Timeout says, “The Jaipur Literature Festival is officially the Woodstock, Live 8 and Ibiza of world literature.” JLF turns 10 in 2017, and it really is where great minds meet greater ideas. Here’s the whole list of speakers for 2017 - if this hasn’t given you literary butterflies, we don’t know what will.
Cost: Online General Registrations until 17 January 2017 are Free
Don’t Miss: Jaipur Bookmark
XIII. Nariyal Paani
Where: Alibaug
When: January 23rd - 24th
Alibaug prepares itself for the third edition of this festival that has music ranging from folk, jazz and reggae, to electro-pop, hip-hop and beatboxing. Located at a secluded spot on Morapada Beach, it’s just a short boat ride away from Mumbai. Think fairy lights, chattais, and grooving to sound by the sea. The line up hasn’t been announced as yet, so keep checking their website for news. This is what dreams are made of.
Cost: Rs. 3000
XIV. GOAT
Where: Morjim, Goa
When: January 27th - 29th
Presented for the first time in India by a London event management company, GOAT is a three day long boutique festival in Goa. For all those who kicked up a fuss about Sunburn and Supersonic being ousted from Goa - Onward we go! This festival is the freshest one on the block, and with a stellar lineup - Giles Peterson, Dope Saint Jude, Yussef Kamaal, Sorceress, and a whole lot more. There are also plenty of music, dance and art workshops through the weekend. A yoga and meditation school will also be in the mix, giving you plenty of opportunity for some down time. Head to their website for the full lineup, tickets, list of activities and accomodation arrangements. While you’re there, you may as well have a little festival in your stomach - Goa has some of the best cullinary delights in the country. Here are the 20 best meals in Goa this season for you to feast on!
Cost: Rs. 3500 (day ticket) and Rs. 9000 (festival pass)
Don’t Miss: Surfing, Wakeboarding and Kitesurfing courtesy Vaayu
XV. India Art Fair
When: February 2nd - 5th
Where: New Delhi
India Art Fair is South Asia’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, a sort of portal to the region’s cultural landscape. It is now expanding it’s programming to draw focus to the visual arts and act as a platform for innovation across disciplines. This year, the MCH Group (Basel) has taken a co-ownership stake, marking the India Art Fair to be a globally recognised platform. Visit their website for exhibitor and programming information.
Cost: To be confirmed
Don’t Miss: The Curated Walks (Schedule to be out soon on the website)
XVI. SulaFest
Where: Nashik
When: February 3rd - 5th 2017
Here’s a festival in the middle of a vineyard with 3 stages and over 120 artists - what a way to kick off the year! While the lineup hasn’t been announced just yet, Soma and Little Italy are going to be conjuring up some culinary magic, alongside cuisines from the world over. There are also massage stalls, tarrot card readers, and special wine tours to compliment your stay at Sula.
Cost: Rs. 2100 for a day pass, Rs. 3600 for 2 Days and Rs. 4700 for 3 Days
Don’t Miss: The Grape Stomping Session - tick it off your bucket list!
XVII. Supersonic
Where: Pune
When: February 10th - 12th
Creating major waves with their change of venue, Supersonic is back and coming to Pune! Last seen battling it out with Sunburn, Supersonic has changed their game with these new dates. The lineup is still to be announced, but one can expect to see atleast one artist from DJ Mag’s Top 10 list of the best DJs at the moment.
Cost: Early bird tickets for Rs. 1500
Don’t Miss: Stay tuned - we’ll keep you posted
Special Mention
XVIII. Bass Camp Festival
Here’s presenting India’s only bass driven music festival. Expanding on a scale like never before, Bass Camp is going to 8 cities across India this year. Read our story on the evolution of the festival, and check out their Facebook page to see when they’re in your city!
XIX. Amsterdam Dance Event
There’s no information out as yet, but we’ve got inside news that this is going to happen in Mumbai somewhere between February and March. Watch this space for more - we’ll keep you up to date as soon as we know what’s going down
We’re good, but not perfect. If there’s a festival that you feel needs to be on this list, just let us know! As lineups get announced and we get closer to dates, information may change. Keep checking this list for updates!
Feature Image Courtesy Bacardi NH7 Weekender
