India’s 2025 festival calendar is a vibrant explosion of culture, faith, and joy. From the kite-filled skies of Makar Sankranti to the glowing lamps of Diwali, the upcoming festivals in India 2025 will light up the year.
This month-wise guide dives deep into each celebration, offering dates, meanings, and tips to join the fun. Whether you’re a traveler chasing India’s traditions or a local planning your holidays, this detailed list has it all. Let’s explore the festivals of India in 2025, month by month!
Why India’s Festivals Are a Must-Experience
India’s festivals are a window into its soul. They blend ancient rituals with modern excitement, uniting people across religions and regions. Hindus celebrate Diwali with lamps, Muslims share Eid feasts, Sikhs honor their Gurus, and Christians sing carols. Each event is a burst of color, food, and music.
In 2025, these festivals will draw millions to streets, temples, and homes. They’re perfect for cultural immersion or a festive getaway. This guide covers every major festival, month by month, so you can plan your year. Let’s start with January!
January 2025: Harvests and National Pride
January sets the tone with harvest celebrations and patriotism. Here’s the full lineup:
New Year’s Day
- Date: January 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
- Significance: Marks the start of the Gregorian New Year with hope and cheer.
- Celebrations: Fireworks, parties, and countdowns in cities; quiet family time in smaller towns.
- Key Locations: Goa, Mumbai, Delhi.
- Tip: Book Goa’s beach parties early—spots fill fast!
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
- Date: January 6, 2025 (Monday, tentative)
- Significance: Celebrates the birth of the 10th Sikh Guru, a warrior and spiritual leader.
- Celebrations: Processions, kirtans (hymns), and langar (free meals) at gurudwaras.
- Key Locations: Amritsar (Golden Temple), Patna.
- Tip: Join langar—everyone’s welcome to this communal feast.
Lohri
- Date: January 13, 2025 (Monday)
- Significance: A Punjabi festival marking the end of winter and the harvest season.
- Celebrations: Bonfires, bhangra dances, and snacks like peanuts, popcorn, and rewari.
- Key Locations: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi.
- Tip: Dress warm and toss sesame seeds into the fire—it’s tradition!
Makar Sankranti / Pongal
- Date: January 14–17, 2025 (Tuesday–Friday)
- Significance: Celebrates the sun’s entry into Capricorn and the harvest bounty.
- Celebrations:
- Makar Sankranti: Kite flying, til laddoos, and holy dips in rivers.
- Pongal: Tamil Nadu’s four-day festival with rice dishes, kolam art, and cattle worship.
- Key Locations: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra.
- Tip: Fly kites in Ahmedabad or taste pongal in Chennai.
Republic Day
- Date: January 26, 2025 (Sunday)
- Significance: Honors India’s constitution, effective since 1950.
- Celebrations: Delhi’s grand parade, flag-hoisting, and patriotic performances nationwide.
- Key Locations: New Delhi (Rajpath), state capitals.
- Tip: Arrive early for the Delhi parade—security lines are long.
February 2025: Spring and Devotion
February welcomes spring and spiritual vibes. Here’s what’s happening:
Vasant Panchami
- Date: February 2, 2025 (Sunday, tentative)
- Significance: Welcomes spring and honors Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and arts.
- Celebrations: Wear yellow, pray at temples, fly kites, and enjoy cultural shows.
- Key Locations: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab.
- Tip: Students start new studies—bring a book to bless!
Maha Shivaratri
- Date: February 26, 2025 (Wednesday, tentative)
- Significance: Celebrates Lord Shiva’s wedding and cosmic dance.
- Celebrations: Night vigils, fasting, milk offerings to Shiva lingams, and chants.
- Key Locations: Varanasi, Haridwar, Rishikesh.
- Tip: Join the all-night prayers in Varanasi—it’s electric.
March 2025: Colors and New Beginnings
March bursts with color and fresh starts. Don’t miss these:
Holi
- Date: March 13–14, 2025 (Thursday–Friday, tentative)
- Significance: The festival of colors celebrates spring, love, and good over evil.
- Celebrations: Holika Dahan bonfires (March 13), color fights, gujiya, and thandai (March 14).
- Key Locations: Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur.
- Tip: Wear old clothes and goggles—colors stick!
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
- Date: March 30, 2025 (Sunday, tentative)
- Significance: New Year for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka (Ugadi), and Maharashtra (Gudi Padwa).
- Celebrations: Hoist gudi flags, eat pachadi (bittersweet mix), and pray for prosperity.
- Key Locations: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore.
- Tip: Try the neem-jaggery pachadi—it’s a unique flavor.
April 2025: Faith and Renewal
April blends devotion with regional celebrations. Here’s the list:
Rama Navami
- Date: April 7, 2025 (Monday, tentative)
- Significance: Celebrates Lord Rama’s birth, Vishnu’s seventh avatar.
- Celebrations: Ramayana recitals, temple prayers, processions, and fasting.
- Key Locations: Ayodhya, Rameshwaram.
- Tip: Visit Ayodhya for grand chariot processions.
Baisakhi
- Date: April 14, 2025 (Monday)
- Significance: Sikh New Year and Punjab’s harvest festival; marks the Khalsa’s founding.
- Celebrations: Bhangra dances, gurudwara visits, and feasts.
- Key Locations: Amritsar, Punjab villages.
- Tip: Catch the Golden Temple celebrations—they’re vibrant.
May 2025: Quiet Moments of Reverence
May is quieter but still rich with meaning. Here’s what’s on:
Buddha Purnima
- Date: May 12, 2025 (Monday, tentative)
- Significance: Celebrates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
- Celebrations: Prayer meets, meditation, and charity at Buddhist sites.
- Key Locations: Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini.
- Tip: Visit Bodh Gaya for a peaceful experience.
June 2025: Regional and Religious Gems
June brings unique regional festivities. Check these out:
Raja Parba
- Date: June 14–16, 2025 (Saturday–Monday, tentative)
- Significance: Odisha’s festival celebrating womanhood and the monsoon.
- Celebrations: Swings, folk dances, and special meals; women rest and enjoy.
- Key Locations: Odisha (Puri, Bhubaneswar).
- Tip: Try pitha sweets—they’re a treat.
Eid al-Adha (Bakrid)
- Date: June 17, 2025 (Tuesday, tentative)
- Significance: Honors Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice for God.
- Celebrations: Prayers, animal sacrifices, and sharing meat with family and the poor.
- Key Locations: Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai.
- Tip: Join a feast—hospitality is key.
July 2025: Monsoon Devotion
July’s monsoon rains bring spiritual celebrations. Here’s the lineup:
Guru Purnima
- Date: July 10, 2025 (Thursday, tentative)
- Significance: Honors teachers and gurus, especially Vyasa, who wrote the Mahabharata.
- Celebrations: Prayers, discourses, and offerings to mentors.
- Key Locations: Ashrams in Rishikesh, Haridwar.
- Tip: Bring a gift for your teacher—it’s tradition.
August 2025: Family and Freedom
August blends family ties with national pride. Don’t miss these:
Raksha Bandhan
- Date: August 9, 2025 (Saturday, tentative)
- Significance: Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
- Celebrations: Sisters tie rakhis; brothers give gifts and promise protection.
- Key Locations: Pan-India, especially North India.
- Tip: Shop for rakhis early—markets get busy.
Independence Day
- Date: August 15, 2025 (Friday)
- Significance: Marks India’s freedom from British rule in 1947.
- Celebrations: Flag-hoisting, parades, and patriotic songs.
- Key Locations: Red Fort (Delhi), nationwide.
- Tip: Wear tricolor outfits to join the spirit.
Janmashtami
- Date: August 16, 2025 (Saturday, tentative)
- Significance: Celebrates Lord Krishna’s birth.
- Celebrations: Dahi handi (pot-breaking), bhajans, and temple decorations.
- Key Locations: Mathura, Vrindavan, Mumbai.
- Tip: Watch Mumbai’s human pyramids—they’re thrilling.
Ganesh Chaturthi
- Date: August 27–September 6, 2025 (Wednesday–Saturday, tentative)
- Significance: Welcomes Ganesha, remover of obstacles.
- Celebrations: Idols, prayers, modaks, and immersion processions.
- Key Locations: Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad.
- Tip: See Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai—it’s iconic.
Hindu New Year 2025 | Hindu Nav Varsh 2025: Date, Significance, and Celebrations
September 2025: Goddesses and Harvests
September honors divine feminine power. Here’s what’s coming:
Onam
- Date: September 4–6, 2025 (Thursday–Saturday, tentative)
- Significance: Kerala’s harvest festival celebrating King Mahabali’s return.
- Celebrations: Flower carpets (pookalam), boat races, and sadya feasts.
- Key Locations: Kerala (Alleppey, Kochi).
- Tip: Try the 26-dish sadya—it’s a feast!
Navratri
- Date: September 22–October 1, 2025 (Monday–Wednesday, tentative)
- Significance: Nine nights honoring Goddess Durga’s victory over evil.
- Celebrations: Garba/dandiya dances, fasting, and temple prayers.
- Key Locations: Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu.
- Tip: Learn garba steps—join the fun!
October 2025: Triumph and Lights
October is packed with grand celebrations. Here’s the full list:
Dussehra
- Date: October 2, 2025 (Thursday, tentative)
- Significance: Marks Rama’s victory over Ravana.
- Celebrations: Ravana effigy burnings, Ramlila plays, and feasts.
- Key Locations: Delhi, Mysore, Kullu.
- Tip: Don’t miss Mysore’s royal procession.
Diwali / Deepavali
- Date: October 20–23, 2025 (Monday–Thursday, tentative)
- Significance: The festival of lights celebrates good over evil and prosperity.
- Celebrations: Oil lamps, firecrackers, sweets, and Lakshmi puja.
- Key Locations: Jaipur, Varanasi, Amritsar.
- Tip: Book travel early—it’s peak season.
November 2025: Gratitude and Unity
November brings reflection and celebration. Here’s what’s on:
Guru Nanak Jayanti
- Date: November 5, 2025 (Wednesday, tentative)
- Significance: Celebrates the birth of Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak.
- Celebrations: Processions, kirtans, and langar feasts.
- Key Locations: Amritsar, Punjab.
- Tip: Join the Golden Temple festivities—it’s serene.
December 2025: Joy and Farewell
December wraps the year with festive cheer. Here’s the finale:
Christmas
- Date: December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
- Significance: Celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth with peace and joy.
- Celebrations: Church services, carols, plum cakes, and decorations.
- Key Locations: Goa, Kerala, Mumbai.
- Tip: Attend midnight mass in Goa’s churches.