Imperial India Escapes
India Festival Tours 2026–27
Upcoming Festivals in India
Discover upcoming festivals in India for 2026–2027, including Holi, Diwali and the Pushkar Camel Fair. Plan a private, tailor-made India festival journey from the UK with expert guides and carefully chosen luxury stays.
Upcoming Festivals in India 2026–2027: What to See and When to Go
India's festival calendar is filled with colourful, spiritual and cultural celebrations throughout the year. For 2026–2027, popular experiences include Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan, Diwali in Varanasi and Jaipur, the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan, and other regional festivals across India.
For UK travellers, the best festival to choose depends on the experience you want, the region you wish to visit and your travel dates. Celebrate Diwali as part of our tailor-made India tours , discover Rajasthan during the Pushkar Camel Fair with a Rajasthan luxury tour with Pushkar , or experience Holi alongside the Golden Triangle tour . Each private journey can be tailored to your travel dates, interests and preferred style of accommodation.
Plan Your Festival JourneyFestival Calendar 2026–2027
Explore upcoming festivals in India for 2026–2027 and plan your journey around Holi, Diwali, the Pushkar Camel Fair and other extraordinary celebrations.
October / NovemberVaranasi & Jaipur
Diwali – Festival of Lights
India's most beloved festival transforms Varanasi's ancient ghats into a river of light. Thousands of oil lamps float on the Ganges as fireworks illuminate centuries-old temples. In Jaipur, palatial heritage hotels host private Diwali celebrations with traditional sweets and spectacular displays.
Explore tailor-made India tours
NovemberPushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar Camel Fair
One of the world's great spectacles thousands of camels, horses, and livestock converge on the sacred desert town of Pushkar. Folk dancers, fire-eaters, and traditional Rajasthani musicians fill the dunes. Stay in exclusive luxury tented camps with unrivalled views of the fairground.
Rajasthan luxury tour with Pushkar
Nov – FebRann of Kutch, Gujarat
Rann Utsav
A three-month cultural extravaganza set against the world's largest salt desert, glowing white under a full moon. Traditional Gujarati music, folk dance, handicrafts, and camel rides unfold against an otherworldly landscape. Private luxury tented accommodation puts you at the heart of the magic.
Plan Around Rann Utsav
JanuaryJaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur Literature Festival
The world's largest free literary festival draws global authors, thinkers, and artists to the magnificent Diggi Palace. Combine sessions with private tours of Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal, and evenings dining at Jaipur's finest heritage restaurants. Ideal for culturally curious UK travellers.
Plan Around JLF
26 JanuaryNew Delhi
Republic Day Parade
India's most majestic national celebration a grand military parade along Kartavya Path featuring regimental bands, decorated floats from every state, and aerial displays by the Indian Air Force. We secure prime viewing seats and combine the occasion with a private Golden Triangle tour.
Plan Around Republic Day
FebruaryJaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Against a backdrop of golden sand dunes and the ancient Jaisalmer Fort, this three-day celebration showcases the finest of Rajasthani folk music, turban-tying contests, camel racing, and fire dances. End each evening with a private candlelit dinner under a canopy of desert stars.
Plan Around Desert Festival
FebruaryAgra, Uttar Pradesh
Taj Mahotsav
A ten-day cultural celebration held in the shadow of the Taj Mahal, bringing together India's finest artisans, craftsmen, classical dancers, and musicians. The perfect occasion to visit the Taj at sunrise on a private basis and explore Agra's Mughal heritage with an expert historian guide.
Plan Around Taj Mahotsav
MarchMathura & Vrindavan
Holi – Festival of Colours
The world's most visually spectacular celebration clouds of vibrant colour fill the air as thousands gather in the ancient towns of Mathura and Vrindavan. We arrange private access to temple celebrations, photographer-friendly positions, and a luxury heritage stay in nearby Agra or Jaipur.
Golden Triangle tourHoli in
Mathura & Vrindavan
There is nothing on earth quite like Holi in Mathura the birthplace of Lord Krishna. For five extraordinary days, the region erupts in an ocean of colour, music, and joy. Streets fill with flower petals, temples resound with devotional songs, and the air shimmers with gulal powder in every shade imaginable. With Imperial India Escapes, you witness it all from privileged private positions, guided by a cultural expert who brings every tradition to life.
Plan My Holi JourneyPlanning an India Festival Trip from the UK: What You Need to Know
Practical guidance for UK travellers planning a festival journey to India.
Flights from the UK
UK travellers can choose from regular flight options to major Indian gateways such as Delhi and Mumbai. Flight schedules and routes can change, particularly around major festival periods, so we recommend checking current availability and planning flights well in advance.
When to Book
Major Indian festivals can be busy travel periods, and popular accommodation and private experiences may have limited availability. If you already know which festival you want to experience, it is sensible to start planning early so your itinerary can be built around your preferred dates and experiences.
Weather During Festival Season
Weather varies considerably across India and depends on the destination and time of year. When planning a festival journey, consider the climate of each region included in your itinerary and pack accordingly. We can help you plan the route around your chosen festival and travel dates.
Visas for UK Citizens
UK passport holders should check the current Indian visa and entry requirements before travelling. Requirements and application procedures can change, so use the official Indian government guidance for the latest information. We can provide general pre-departure guidance as you prepare for your India journey.
Safety & Comfort at Festivals
Major festivals can attract large crowds and busy public spaces. Travelling with a private guide can make it easier to understand local customs, plan your movements and experience the celebration comfortably. We also provide practical guidance on appropriate dress, photography and respectful participation.
Combine with a Wider Tour
A festival can be combined with a wider tailor-made India tour based on your interests and available travel time. For example, you can build a journey around Holi, explore Rajasthan around the Pushkar Camel Fair, or combine a festival experience with a Golden Triangle tour and other destinations across India. Your itinerary can be planned around the festival dates and the places you want to visit.
Why Experience Festivals with Us
Private Access & Expert Guides
Our local specialists secure privileged viewing positions and cultural access that independent travellers cannot easily find turning a festival visit into a genuine immersion.
Curated Heritage Hotel Stays
We hand-select the finest heritage palace hotels, luxury tented camps, and boutique properties near each festival location all booked early to secure the best rooms.
Bespoke Festival Itineraries
Your festival journey is built entirely around you combined with destinations, experiences, and travel days that make the most of your time in India.
UK-Based Point of Contact
Plan your journey in your own time zone. Our UK-accessible team is available by phone, email, and WhatsApp throughout the planning process and while you travel.
No Hidden Costs
We provide transparent, comprehensive pricing covering all logistics, guides, transfers, and special access so you travel with complete clarity and no surprises.
Festival Travel FAQs for UK Visitors
Which Indian festival is best for first-time UK visitors?
Holi and Diwali are consistently the most popular choices for first-time visitors from the UK, largely because of their global recognition and extraordinary visual impact. Holi in Mathura (March) is ideal for those seeking an energetic, joyful experience full of colour and music. Diwali in Varanasi (October/November) offers a more spiritual atmosphere thousands of oil lamps floating on the Ganges at dusk is one of the most moving sights in India. The Pushkar Camel Fair is a superb alternative for those seeking a more unique and lesser-known spectacle that few UK travellers have witnessed.
How far in advance should I book for Holi or Diwali?
We strongly recommend contacting us at least 4 to 6 months before your intended travel date for Holi (March) or Diwali (October/November). These are India's two most sought-after travel periods and the finest heritage hotels particularly the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, and heritage haveli properties in Varanasi fill their rooms very quickly. Early planning also gives you the widest choice of experienced private guides and allows us to secure any special access arrangements that may require advance coordination.
Are Indian festivals comfortable and safe for UK travellers?
India's festivals are vibrant, joyful, and welcoming and with the right preparation and a private guide alongside you, they are comfortable and safe to experience fully. Our guides are experts in navigating crowds, selecting the best viewpoints, and managing logistics so you can be fully present without stress. We brief every client thoroughly before each festival, covering cultural etiquette, dress guidance, what to expect from the crowds, how to participate respectfully, and any practical health or safety considerations relevant to that specific festival and location.
Can I combine a festival with a wider India tour?
Absolutely and we encourage it. Attending a festival alone rarely does justice to the richness India offers. We typically design journeys that build a full itinerary around your chosen festival date: for example, combining Holi in Mathura with the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur); Diwali in Varanasi with a Rajasthan heritage circuit; or the Pushkar Camel Fair with Udaipur and Jodhpur. The combination of a great festival moment and wider cultural exploration always creates a more complete and unforgettable journey.
What is the weather like during India's festival season?
October to March is India's finest travel season and the heart of its festival calendar. Temperatures across North India sit between a comfortable 18°C and 30°C during the day, with cooler evenings in desert regions such as Jaisalmer and Pushkar in November and December. By March, when Holi falls, daytime temperatures have risen pleasantly to around 25°C to 30°C warm and sunny, ideal for outdoor celebrations. This season is a particularly appealing escape from the British winter, and the combination of comfortable climate and vibrant culture makes it the perfect time of year for UK travellers to visit India.
Do I need a visa and is it easy to obtain from the UK?
UK passport holders can apply for India's e-Visa online through the official Indian government portal the process is straightforward and typically takes 3 to 5 business days for approval. The e-Tourist Visa allows a stay of up to 90 days and is valid for one year from the date of issue. We provide every client with a full pre-departure information pack covering the visa application process, travel insurance recommendations, recommended vaccinations, and any destination-specific health advisories so you can prepare with complete confidence before departure.
