Have you ever felt that December carries a different kind of energy? The weather cools down, cities light up, and every corner of India starts celebrating in its own unique way.
If you’re someone who searches for festivals in December or December events but still feels unsure where to go, this guide makes things simple.
These 10 festivals bring together culture, food, music, and traditions from across the country, perfect for ending your year with something memorable.
1. Rann Utsav, Gujarat – A Festival Under the Moonlit White Desert
Did you ever get curious about how it feels to stand in the middle of a white desert glowing under winter sunlight?
That’s exactly what Rann Utsav gives you. The moment you step onto the salt desert of Kutch, the whole landscape feels unreal, quiet, endless, and beautifully white. It’s the kind of place where even a simple winter breeze feels different.
The festival brings this desert to life with colorful tents, folk dances, music nights, craft stalls, and delicious Gujarati food. Everywhere you look, something is happening: people dancing, camels walking across the salt flats, and artists performing under open skies. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or even solo, the atmosphere makes you feel welcomed and included instantly.
Rann Utsav is one of the best examples of festivals in December that appeal to photographers and culture lovers alike.
Where: Kutch, Gujarat
Highlights: Cultural performances, folk dances, camel rides, adventure sports, local food
Dates: November to February
2. Hornbill Festival, Nagaland – A Celebration of Tribal Heritage
Are you someone who loves warrior style performances, traditional food, and music that feels raw and real?
If yes, the Hornbill Festival is exactly the kind of experience that will stay with you long after the trip ends. This festival brings together all 17 tribes of Nagaland, and the energy here feels powerful the moment you arrive.
Warrior dances, traditional drums, bamboo music, handmade crafts, and smoky local food stalls fill the entire festival ground. Even if you have never visited the Northeast before, the warmth of the people instantly makes you feel at home. It’s not just a festival, it’s a chance to witness a culture that is strong, proud, and incredibly welcoming.
Hornbill stands out among festivals in December for its tribal energy and community spirit.
Where: Kohima, Nagaland
Highlights: Warrior dances, Rock concerts, handicrafts, food stalls, night market
Dates: December 1–10
3. Cochin Carnival, Kerala – A Grand Coastal Celebration
Traditional drums, colorful beachside celebrations, and parades that fill the streets. If this feels like your kind of winter vibe, Cochin Carnival is the perfect place to be.
This December festival doesn’t just offer performances, it pulls you into the celebration. As you walk through Fort Kochi, you’ll actually feel the music around you, see crowds cheering during beach games, and watch bright parades move past you like a moving painting.
If you’re someone who enjoys cultural moments but also loves relaxed coastal evenings, this festival gives you both in a single trip. You can spend your day exploring folk shows and handicrafts, and end it with fireworks by the beach, the kind of experience that stays with you long after December ends.
This coastal celebration is one of the most colorful festivals in December across India.
Where: Kochi, Kerala
Highlights: Parades, folk performances, beach events, fireworks
Dates: Last week of December
4. New Year Celebration, Goa – Beaches, Fireworks & The Perfect Start to Your Year
Ever imagined ringing in the New Year with your feet in the sand, music all around, and fireworks lighting up the sea?
In Goa, that dream becomes real. As December 31st approaches, the beaches come alive with parties, beach shacks, live DJ sets, and midnight cruises. The whole state turns into a perfect celebration spot for travellers looking to end the year on a high note.
But the best part is that Goa gives you both loud, energetic parties and calm, peaceful evenings by the sea. So whether you want to dance till midnight or enjoy a quiet moment watching fireworks reflect on the waves, Goa fits every mood.
If you want to make your New Year even smoother, you can choose a Goa short break package (4N/5D). And to make your New Year’s trip completely hassle free, Towno has you covered.
From curated hotel stays to smooth travel arrangements, Towno brings you the best Goa packages designed for comfort, convenience, and a celebration you’ll always remember. Just pick your dates, and they’ll handle the rest.
When you travel with Towno, you get clear benefits:
- No confusion about hotels, Towno provides the best stays based on your budget and location
- Customized packages for you, Towno plans your trip exactly according to your budget and preferences
- Handpicked accommodations near beaches, party hubs, and peaceful areas
- Seamless arrangements for travel, stays, and activities
- No last-minute issues support is available throughout your trip whenever you need it
It’s perfect for anyone with a busy schedule who still wants to relax, reset, and enjoy the celebrations. Whether you’re with family, friends or travelling solo, this package lets you enjoy Goa your way, beaches, parties, and peaceful mornings all in one trip.
5. Chennai Music Festival, Tamil Nadu – A Month of Classical Art
Classical dance and soulful music, if this already excites you, the Chennai Music Festival will feel like a dream.This is where some of India’s finest artists come together, filling the city with Carnatic vocals, graceful dance performances, and powerful instrumental recitals. Watching these artists perform live feels special, almost like you’re experiencing the culture from very close.
For a traveller who loves art and tradition, this is one December festival you shouldn’t miss. You can spend your evenings moving from one sabha to another, listening to different styles, meeting passionate music lovers, and feeling the pride of South Indian culture in every performance. Even if you’re new to classical music, the atmosphere pulls you in and makes the experience memorable.
For lovers of classical arts, this festival is a must see festival in December for soulful performances.
Where: Chennai
Highlights: Classical vocals, instrumental recitals, Bharatnatyam & Mohiniyattam performances
Dates: December 15 – January 1
6. Christmas Celebrations – A Pan-India Festive Experience
“Jingle bell, jingle bell…” The moment you hear this, you know December has truly arrived.
Christmas is one of the most loved festivals in December, and you can feel it everywhere, in glowing churches, decorated streets, lively markets, and the warm smiles people carry during this season.
Whether you celebrate it for tradition, faith, or simply for the festive mood, Christmas makes every city feel brighter. Families bake cakes, children wait for gifts, and midnight mass brings people together in a calm, peaceful way. Even if you’re not celebrating personally, walking through a Christmas market or enjoying a decorated café can instantly lift your mood and make the season feel special.
Christmas remains one of the most widely enjoyed festivals in December across India, bringing families and streets alive.
Where: Across India
Highlights: Midnight mass, decorations, Christmas feasts
Dates: December 25
7. Hot Air Balloon Festival, Karnataka – A Floating December Adventure
If you’re searching for a December festival that offers something different, the Hot Air Balloon Festival is perfect. Colourful balloons rise above historic towns, giving travellers beautiful aerial views.
It’s peaceful, exciting, and a great winter experience for families and adventure lovers.
This floating event is one of those unique festivals in December that offers both calm and adventure.
Where: Mysore, Hampi, Bidar
Highlights: Balloon rides, aerial views, photography
Dates: Entire December
8. Galdan Namchot, Ladakh – A Peaceful Himalayan Celebration
There’s a different kind of silence in Ladakh during winter, calm, deep, and almost spiritual. Galdan Namchot adds a warm glow to that silence as the entire region lights up to celebrate the beginning of the Ladakhi New Year and the birth of the Buddhist scholar Tsongkhapa.
Monasteries shine with butter lamps, monks chant prayers, and families come together to cook traditional winter dishes. As a traveller, you don’t just watch this festival, you feel it. The peaceful rituals, the soft lights against snowy landscapes, and the warmth of the local community make this one of the most meaningful December festivals you can experience in India.
It’s the kind of celebration that slows you down, clears your mind, and helps you appreciate winter in a quieter, deeper way.
Galdan Namchot is a quieter festival in December that brings spiritual warmth to winter nights.
Where: Leh Ladakh
Highlights: Traditional foods, monastery prayers, cultural rituals
Dates: December 25
9. Perumthitta Tharavad, Kerala – Ancient Rituals and Storytelling
There’s a unique magic in Kerala’s winter nights when Theyyam artists take the stage, bringing old stories alive through their movements.
At Perumthitta Tharavad, you get to see this tradition in its pure and powerful form. The vibrant costumes, the rhythmic drums, and the intense expressions turn each performance into a moment you can feel, not just watch.
As you stand among locals and travellers, the atmosphere slowly pulls you in. The rituals, the chants, and the glow of the lamps create an experience that feels deeply rooted in Kerala’s culture. For anyone exploring December festivals with a love for tradition and storytelling, this one leaves a lasting impression.
Perumthitta Tharavad is a deep cultural example of festivals in December, where tradition is still alive and raw.
Where: Kottamkuzhy, Kerala
Highlights: Theyyam dance, music, cultural rituals
Dates: December 14th
10. Kumbhalgarh Festival, Rajasthan – Art, Dance, and History
Walk into Kumbhalgarh during this festival, and it feels like stepping into a living postcard of Rajasthan’s culture.
The massive walls of the fort glow with lights, folk dancers fill the courtyards with energy, and the sound of traditional music echoes beautifully through the winter air. It’s a setting that instantly makes you slow down and enjoy every moment.
From puppet shows to classical performances and local art displays, the festival brings together everything that makes Rajasthan culturally rich. As the evening gets colder, the performances feel even more special, creating a warm, festive vibe that travellers truly enjoy.
Kumbhalgarh is one of the heritage festivals in December that blends history, art, and winter nights beautifully.
Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Highlights: Cultural shows, workshops, and local art
Dates: December 1–3
Conclusion
December in India isn’t just another month, it’s a time when cultures come alive, music fills the air, and every festival adds a special charm to the season. Cities glow, streets feel lively, and celebrations bring people together in the best way.
Whether you’re from Uttarakhand, Kerala, Punjab, Meghalaya, or any other part of the country, these festivals in December offer experiences that stay with you long after the celebrations end. Each one has its own story, its own flavor, and its own warmth.
So pick your favorite festival, plan your trip, and dive into the joy, food, culture, and colors that only December in India can create.