Festivals In Mauritius To Experience The Festive Vibe

A festival celebrated by the Tamil community in Mauritius, Thaipusam Cadavee is celebrated in the honour of Lord Murugan, either in January or February. On this day pilgrims walk barefoot carrying the 'Cadavee' which is a wooden arch covered with flowers, supported by wooden rods and richly decorated with flowers, coconut tree leaves, lime and peacock feather. Ten days before the festival, a flag hoisting ceremony called Kodi Etram is held and celebrated in grand pomp. The Tamilians fast for these ten days and on the final day come together to celebrate Thaipusam.

Dates: 25th January 2024 

Often referred to as the Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival in Mauritius is celebrated every year on different dates in either January or February. Fireworks and firecracker explosions accompany the celebration. Red, considered to be the colour of happiness for the Chinese community, is the dominant colour during this festival. Red Envelopes containing money, called Fung Pao, are offered to children and parents of the Chinese community. Traditional Chinese cakes and sweets are distributed among family and friends.

Dates: 10th February 2024

The Tamil community in Mauritius primarily celebrates the Thimithi festival. It is observed either in December or February. There is a process of 'purification', which takes ten days. During this time, people meditate, pray and fast. On the 11th day, devotees go to the temple and walk barefoot on charcoal embers. Later, they dip their feet in milk to ease the pain of their burns. It is believed that walking on burning charcoal fulfils the desires of the devotees. The legend behind this festival in Mauritius can be traced back to the time of Mahabharata (a Hindu epic). It denotes the victory of Pandavas in the war of Mahabharata, over great Kaurava warriors.

Dates: January - February 2024

Sakifo is a popular music festival in Mauritius ongoing for 18 years. It is considered the biggest music festival in the entire Indian Ocean. Celebrated each year for 3 days at the Reunion Island and attended by almost 40,000 people, Sakifo festival unites the local, national, Indian Ocean and international artists. It is a free and open to all event, the proceedings of which are donated to the association of fishermen's wives. 

Date: Dates not out yet for 2024
Location: Ravine Blanche, Saint-Pierre, Réunion Island

The pilgrimage is held each year on the night in September. On this night, not only the Catholics but also Mauritians of all communities walk up to the tomb of the priest. The shrine of French Catholic priest and missionary Pere Jacques-Desire Laval is something of a Lourdes of the Indian Ocean. Many miracles have been attributed to pilgrimages here. The padre died in 1864 and was beatified in 1979 during a visit by Pope John Paul II. Laval is credited with converting 67,000 people to Christianity during his 23 years in Mauritius.

Dates: 9th September every  year

Also known as the Moon Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival in Mauritius is celebrated in September. Considered a harvest festival, the Chinese community in Mauritius celebrates the Mid-Autumn festival with great enthusiasm. On this day, mooncakes are made and offerings are made to the moon goddess. 

Dates: 17th September 2024

Started in 2017, La Isla 2068 is a music festival organised by the  La Isla Social Club for all the music and art enthusiasts. The festival celebrates Mauritian talent and foreign icons with 12 hours of non-stop music. It is called La Isla 2068 as Mauritius will celebrate its 100 years of independence in 2068. The fourth edition of the festival is all set to be hosted in 2022 at Château de Labourdonnais in Mauritius.

Date: 13th May 2024
Timings: 12:00 PM onwards
Location: Château de Labourdonnais

The lantern festival is celebrated 15 days after the Chinese New Year. Lantern Festival marks the end of New Year celebrations of the Chinese community in Mauritius. On the streets of the main Mauritian towns, costumed parades and dragon dances are organised during this time.

Dates: 24th February 2024

Commemorating the martyr of Inam Hussein, this festival in Mauritius is celebrated with vibrancy by a minority of the Muslim community in Mauritius. Inam Hussein was a descendant of the Prophet Mohamed. A parade is held with this regard on the streets of Plaine-Verte, in Port Louis.

Dates: Dates yet to be announced for 2024

Kaz'Out is a music festival celebrated each year in Mauritius to promote and celebrate the diverse musical cultures and local and international artists. There are various concerts and live acts at the festival with an exotic genre of cocktails. Kaz'Out means out of your house or out of the box, clearly signifying the aim of the festival which is to go out there and discover new horizons.

Date: Dates yet to be announced for 2024
Location: Pamplemousses, Mauritius

Holi, the celebration of joy and colour is celebrated with much fervour in Mauritius. The festival usually lasts two days and starts with a bonfire (holika) in the evening time. People sing and dance in their folk styles. The bonfire is believed to symbolise the death and defeat of evil Holika, who was burned to death and reduced to ashes after she tried to her nephew. All streets, parks, beaches and houses look very colourful during the festival of Holi.

Dates: 25th March 2024

The festival of Yam-Un-Nabi celebrates the birth of Prophet Mohamed. Devotees gather at the mosque on this day and listen attentively to the story of Prophet Mohamed's life. At the same time, Eid-al-Adha is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice of the Prophet Abraham. Animals are sacrificed (which includes sheep, goat or cattle) and this is divided into three parts. The first two parts go for the poor and family, respectively. The last part is given to friends.

Date: 23rd January 2024

Eid Ul-Fitr is a public holiday in Mauritius. This festival in Mauritius is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan or Ramzan. The festival involves prayers, exchange of gifts, visits to family and charity to the poor. The festival is celebrated in the mosques with family gatherings and dinners.

Dates: 8th April 2024

The Hindu community in Mauritius celebrates the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. It commemorates the birth of God Ganesh. On this day, Hindus visit their temples and go to the river banks or beaches with small replicas of the elephant head God. These replicas are traditionally made of clay and mud. They are immersed in water before sunset. Families cook a variety of delicacies and share them with friends and relatives.

Dates: 7 September 2024

All Saints Day is celebrated by the Christians in Mauritius on 2nd of November. This day is devoted to honouring the dead. It also commemorates the arrival of the first Indian labourers in Mauritius. This day is also a public holiday in Mauritius.

Dates: 1st November, every year

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals celebrated by the people of Mauritius. Maha Shivaratri translates to 'great night of Lord Shiva'. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival in Mauritius falls on the thirteenth night and fourteenth day of the Hindu month of Phalguna (February - March). Devotees of Lord Shiva converge near Ganga Talao, the sacred lake.

Dates: 8th March

Christmas is celebrated by the entirety of the Mauritian population, regardless of community and religion. You can find Santa Claus in many commercial centres and public spaces. During the Christmas season, you can come across many tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, longans, litchis, and watermelons of all sizes. On Christmas Eve, people set and decorate Christmas trees and sing Christmas carols. Mauritian families also burn firecrackers at midnight.

Dates: 25th December, every year