This February has something from all genres and styles, in the form of countless fairs and fests marked over its calendars, from dance, music, to surfing, biking, wine festivals to painted havelis, contemporary arts and so much more, to keep you on your toes, all around the month and absolutely loving it! Here is a list of our handpicked favorites.
1.Kila Raipur Rural Olympics
When: TBA 2024
Where: Kila Raipur, near Ludhiana, Punjab
This one is rustic, unique, global, a whopping 60 years old and nothing like anything you would have seen before. If tractor racing, bullock kart racing and Kabaddi sound like your idea of February, it might just make your day to hear that the entry to this craziness is free!
2. India Art Fair
When: 1st - 4th February, 2024
Where: Okhla, New Delhi
Website: www.indiaartfair.in
One of the most celebrated stages for arts in South Asia, the 7th edition of India Art Fair has on exhibit sculpture, installation art, new media and performance art coupled with an art book store, book launches and much more. Tickets to this celebration of contemporary arts start at INR 250.
3. Global Bird Watchers’ Conference
When: TBA
Where: Porbandar, Gujarat
Website: www.gbwc.org
An instance of Gujarat’s eco-tourism ambitions, the Global bird watchers conference does not only arrange bird watching sessions but also discussions on preservation of the various species and the ecological balance of their habitats along with cultural programs and shows. The birding sites include Nal Sarovar, Indroda Park and the Thol Bird Sanctuary.
4. Jaisalmer Desert Festival
When: February 22nd-24th
Where: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Not only is this time of the year ideal to visit the outskirts of the Thar, but with the festivity and tints of the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, it almost becomes an essential. With camel rides, camel races, turban tying competitions, a moustache competition and the staple Rajasthani folk dances and music, the festival finds itself host to visitors from around the world.
5. Surajkund International Crafts Mela
When: 2nd- 18th February
Where: Surajkund, Faridabad (Near Delhi)
Website: http://haryanatourism.gov.in/showpage.aspx?contentid=5603
Organised by Haryana Tourism , this fair is an essential for shopaholics and foodies. With jewelry, pottery, handicrafts, clothing, cultural performances and a menu that covers all of India and more, this one will keep you coming back each year. The theme this year is Chhattishgarh and tickets will be available at the venue or can be booked online with an option of e-tickets as well.
6. Shekhwati festival
When: 12th-15th February
Where: Shekhwati, Nawalgarh, Rajasthan
Website: www.shekhawatifestival.in
One of the richest cultural and art festivals of India, and yet a humble affair, this one celebrates the very spirit of the province of Shekhwati, the limelight being its extensively and intricately painted havellis, that are said to be quite a wonder. Other than these there are local sports and games, an organic food court, mehendi competition, laughter shows, craft bazaar, fire show and countless more to keep you under the town’s charm.
7. Sufi Sutra International Sufi Music Festival
When: 2nd – 4th February in Kolkata
Where: Mohar Kunj Kolkata
Website: www.banglanatak.com/sufisutra.aspx
If you are on a lookout for a spiritual and soulful experience, then February has a bit of a treat for you this year. See artists from over 5 nations including Egypt, Denmark and Brazil as well as from the states of Gujarat, West Bengal and Rajasthan.
8. India Surf Festival
When: 29th - 31st March
Where: Ramchandi Beach, Odisha
Website: www.indiasurffestival.org
This one, is one big party. With India’s biggest Stand up Paddle Championship, with participant from around the world, kite surfing, yoga on water and beach, skateboarding, music, photography, art and lots more, this one is hard to miss.
9. Sula Fest
When: Cancelled
Where: Sula Vineyard amphitheater, Nasik, Maharashtra
Website: www.sulafest.net
Sula fest is called India’s gourmet world music festival. There is wine, music, dancing, delicacies, shopping, camping, VERO MODA launching their Spring Summer Collection 2015 and absolutely no reason why you should miss this.
10. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
When: 20th - 28th January
Where: Kala Ghoda Arts Precinct, Mumbai
Website: www.kalaghodaassociation.com
With a wide variety of elements and arts, the Kala Ghoda Art festival carpets cinema, theatre, literature, music, food, heriatge walks, design and architecture, visual arts, dance, workshops and still more!
11. World Sufi Spirit Festival
When: 23rd-25th February in Nagaur
Where: Ahhichatragarh Fort, Nagaur and Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan respectively
Website: worldsufispiritfestival.org
This festival will be seen celebrating the spirit of the Sufi traditions in Africa, India and parts of East Asia, in two of the most magnificent forts on Rajasthan‘s itinerary. Head to this one, for an experience which is rare, sacred and a little beyond the everyday.
12. Goa Carnival
When: 11th - 14th February
Where: Goa (starts at Panaji)
While there isn’t any time that Goa fails to flatter and celebrate its tourist rush, find this dream destination become a moving, dancing, evolving, colorful parade that spills festivity, as it makes its way through the town, this February. Catch parades, dances, a ball, cultural programs, food festivals and drinks, sports competitions, parties and more at this carnival.
13. Taj Mahotsav
When: 18th-27th February
Where: Agra
Website: www.tajmahotsav.org
Though Agra remains staple for most tourist circuits that cover the best of India, there is another reason to visit the city in February. Taj Mahotsav is a 10 day celebration of art, crafts, cuisines, dance and music by the eastern gate of the wonder itself, Taj Mahal.
14. Khajuraho Dance Festival
When: 20th-26th February
Where: Chitragupta Temple and Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Website: khajurahodancefestival.com
With one of the most erotic structures and temples in the backdrop, the Khajuraho Dance festival celebrates classical dances from all across the country and pays a tribute the many artisans and creators of the monuments.
15. Konark Dance Festival
When: TBA
Where: Sun temple, Konark, Odisha
Another popular festival of classical dances, this one too, finds in its backdrop one of the most celebrated and grand monumnets, the Sun temple. There is also a crafts mela and a fusion of painting and music. Passes are available for INR 400.
16. India bike week
When: 9th - 18th August
Where: Vagator, Goa
Website: indiabikeweek.in
A stretch of paradise for all biking enthusiasts, this is where you meet other bikers, share stories, get to know more about the machine you love as well as celebrate the spirit of biking with rock bands and stunts and more. And then it’s in Goa, Everything is better with Goa !
17. Deccan Festival
When: TBA
Where: Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad
This one has qawali, gazhals, crafts, poetry, art, a fair for jewelery as well as the most tempting nawabi cuisine that the town is known for. Celebrating all that the town gets defined by, the fair is a highlight and popular for shopping for local specialties such as pearls and bangles.
Do you know of more fests that should be on the list? Let us know in the comments section below!
Are you travelling this month? Here is the list of Best places to visit in February in India.
Relevant Links:
Fairs and Festivals in February in India
Fairs and Festivals in March in India
Fairs and Festivals in April in India
Fairs and Festivals in May in India
Fairs and Festivals in June in India
Fairs and Festivals in July in India
Fairs and Festivals in August in India
Fairs and Festivals in September in India
Fairs and Festivals in October in India
Fairs and Festivals in November in India
Fairs and Festivals in December in India