Goa, a state on the western coast of India, is famous for its beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and vibrant culture. For a simple and affordable tour package, use the best travel agency in Mohali. The state is also home to numerous festivals throughout the year that celebrate everything from music to food to religion.
Here are 14 top Goa festivals that you should not miss:
1. Goa Carnival:
This festival is held annually in February, just before the season of Lent. It is a four-day celebration of music, dance, and feasting, with parades of floats and performers dressed in colourful costumes. The Goa Carnival is one of the most popular festivals in the state and attracts visitors from all over the world. The festival is marked by vibrant parades of floats and performers, with each day of the carnival featuring a different theme.
2. Sunburn Festival:
Held in December, Sunburn Festival is Asia’s biggest electronic dance music festival. It attracts thousands of music lovers from all over the world who come to dance to the beats of famous DJs and artists.
3. Goa Food and Cultural Festival:
This festival is a celebration of Goan cuisine and culture. Held in January, it features food stalls selling traditional dishes like sorpotel, vindaloo, and fish curry, along with music, dance, and art exhibitions.
4. Feast of St. Francis Xavier:
This festival is celebrated every year on December 3rd in honour of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa. Thousands of pilgrims from all over India come to pay their respects at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.
5. Shigmo Festival:
Shigmo is a spring festival that takes place in March, celebrating the arrival of spring and the Hindu New Year. It is a time of colourful processions, traditional folk dances, and music. The Shigmo Festival is a vibrant celebration of the arrival of spring and the Hindu New Year. It is a time of joy and renewal, with people coming together to celebrate the beauty of life and nature.
6. Christmas:
Christmas is a major festival in Goa, celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. Churches are decorated with lights and stars, and people attend midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Traditional sweets like neureos and kuswar are prepared and shared with family and friends.
7. Dussehra:
Dussehra is celebrated in October, marking the triumph of good over evil. In Goa, it is celebrated with street processions, effigies of the demon king Ravana, and traditional folk dances. Dussehra is a festival celebrated across India, but in Goa, it takes on a unique flavour with its own local traditions.
8. Ganesh Chaturthi:
This festival is celebrated all over India in honour of Lord Ganesh, the Hindu god of wisdom and prosperity. In Goa, it is celebrated with colourful processions, traditional music, and the immersion of clay idols in the sea or rivers.
9. Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception:
This festival is celebrated on December 8th in honour of the Virgin Mary. It is a time of prayer, processions, and feasting, with the highlight being the lighting of a giant star-shaped lantern in the square in front of the church.
10. Sao Joao Festival:
This festival is celebrated in June, marking the beginning of the monsoon season. It is a time of revelry, with people jumping into wells and streams to celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist.
11. Bonderam Festival:
This festival is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of August in the village of Divar. It commemorates a dispute between two sections of the village over property rights, with a mock fight and colourful floats parading through the streets.
12. Monte Music Festival:
This is an annual music festival held in February at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount in Old Goa. It features classical and western music performances by renowned musicians from all over the world. The Monte Music Festival is a must-attend event for lovers of classical and western music.
13. Grape Escapade:
This festival is held in February, showcasing the best of Goa’s wines, food, and entertainment. It features wine tasting, live music, and food stalls selling Goan delicacies. The Grape Escapade is a popular festival for wine lovers and foodies alike. It is a great opportunity to taste some of the best wines produced in Goa, as well as sample the delicious food that Goa is known for.
14. Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties:
Goa is famous for its lively parties on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with beach shacks and nightclubs hosting DJs and live bands till the early hours of the morning. Tourists and locals alike come together to celebrate the festive season in a unique Goan style, with bonfires on the beaches, fireworks lighting up the skies, and traditional Goan cuisine being served at every corner. The parties are not just limited to the beach shacks and nightclubs but also spill over to the streets, with people dancing and revelling in the festive spirit. On My Travel Case, you will find the best goa vacation packages.