Events in November in India 2026: Festivals, Fairs and Concerts

If you ask a dozen Indians what their favourite month is, a good number will say November! The heat has packed up, nights are cool and almost every week has a festival, a fair or a gig worth rearranging the leave for.

The trouble is choosing. This guide to events in November in India 2026 is written for people who have five or ten days off and far too many options. You’ll get dates, a few warnings about clashes, and two routes you can copy as they are. Keep it open as a November events in India 2026 cheat sheet while you book.

Quick answer: The biggest festivals in November in India in 2026 are Diwali (8 November), Chhath Puja (15 to 16 November), and Dev Deepawali and Guru Nanak Jayanti (both 24 November). Top fairs and shows include Pushkar Camel Fair (17 to 24 November), the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival (20 to 21 November), IFFI Goa (20 to 28 November) and Anyma ÆDEN in Mumbai (21 November). Among all the events in November in India, Rann Utsav in Kutch is the longest, running from 1 November to 7 March 2027.

Events in November in India 2026 at a Glance

The main upcoming events in India 2026 for the month, in date order:

Schedules can change. Check official announcements before booking.

Pick Your Mood, Then Your Date

Can’t decide which of the events in November in India suits you? Start with what you want the trip to feel like.

The Month, Week by Week

This is how the events in November in India fall across the calendar.

• 1 to 7 November: Rann Utsav opens, then Dhanteras and Choti Diwali. Book trains and flights now, because everyone is travelling home.
• 8 to 14 November: Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Cities look great, but many shops and offices close for days.
• 15 to 21 November: The busiest stretch for travellers. Chhath Puja, Pushkar, Shillong, IFFI and Anyma ÆDEN all land here.
• 22 to 30 November: Full-moon week. Sonepur Mela, Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali and Guru Nanak Jayanti bunch up around the 24th.

Festivals in November in India: Where the Lamps Go

Diwali is the loudest of the festivals in November in India – but it doesn’t have the month to itself. The Indian festivals in November 2026 are easy to string together as all these religious, traditional and winter festivals in India fall in the same month of the Indian calendar. Some of them are good festivals worth travelling for.

1. Diwali 2026: 8 November

Diwali is one of the most popular festivals in India and the days leading up to it are important too. On 6th November, people go out to buy gold, silver, and new utensils, as part of a festival called Dhanteras. The second Diwali is a celebration on 7 November for the rangoli and preparing the lamps. Govardhan Puja is observed on 10th from Diwali and Bhai Dooj concludes the celebration on 11th. 

Best places to celebrate Diwali in India

• Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: Deepotsav covers the Saryu riverfront with earthen lamps. Explore hotels in Ayodhya for your stay.
• Jaipur, Rajasthan: The old bazaars glow after dark, and the best plan is to wander, shop and snack. Browse hotels in Jaipur.

Go to Ayodhya if you want devotion on a grand scale. Pick Jaipur if you’d rather have lights, food and sightseeing in one trip.

2. Chhath Puja 2026: 15 to 16 November

Chhath is the most important festival in which sun is guest of honour. It is a rigorous fast for devotees and they stand in water to pay arghya to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya on the sunset of 15th November and again at sunrise on 16th November. Soops are loaded with fruit and thekua in bamboo.

Patna’s Ganga ghats are the best-known place to watch. Consider hotels in Patna or stays in Ranchi. The ghats are sacred first and scenic second, so give devotees space and keep your camera low.

3. Dev Deepawali 2026: 24 November

It is the Diwali of the gods and Varanasi owns it. The ghats are lined with lakhs of diyas, the temples are lit up and the Aarti from Ganges half of the city is brought down to the water.

• Watch the Ganga Aarti from the steps or from a boat.
• Take a boat ride past the lit-up ghats.
• Walk from Dashashwamedh to Assi Ghat.

The river gives the best view once it’s dark. Browse hotels in Varanasi and book early, especially if you want a room near the ghats.

4. Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026: 24 November

Amritsar celebrates Gurpurab with kirtan, processions and prayers. Golden Temple is illuminated and reflected in the sarovar and is a humbling experience. Have a meal at the langar (community kitchen), where everyone sits together on the floor. Check out hotels in Amritsar to stay while in town.

Kartik Purnima also brings holy dips at Pushkar, Kolayat and Garhmukteshwar. If Gujarat is on your route, consider hotels in Somnath.

Cultural Events in November in India: Fairs and Desert Nights

The best cultural events in November in India are all held in the open with handicrafts, regional food and folk music all in one place. They are also some of the best things to do in India in November as you do not have to plan a lot. Simply come and go.

5. Pushkar Camel Fair 2026: 17 to 24 November

A small town in Rajasthan becomes one big bazaar with decorated camels, turbaned traders and folk musicians in its midst for a week.

• View camel trading and livestock competitions.
• Enjoy some of the folk songs and dances of Rajasthan.
• Shop for fabrics, jewelry and handicrafts.
• Take part in the Pushkar Lake Kartik Purnima dip on 24th November. 

Entry is generally free, though some activities cost extra. Browse hotels in Pushkar. If you have spare days, add Jaipur, about 140 km away, or look at more Rajasthan stays.

6. Sonepur Mela, Bihar: From Around 22 November

Sonepur Mela is located at the confluence of Gandak and Ganga around 25 Kms from Patna. It’s the biggest cattle fair in Asia but it’s not just that: village markets, handicrafts, local food and performances. What do you like the most about rural fairs compared to the city crowds? It’s one of the most authentic cultural events in November in India.

Kartik Purnima is an important day in the month of November and is on 24 November. The mela is usually held for approximately a month, so please see the announcements made by the Bihar government for confirmed dates. 

7. Rann Utsav 2026-27: 1 November to 7 March

Imagine a white salt desert that blends into the horizon. That’s the White Rann of Kutch, and folk music, dance, handicrafts and Kutchi food at Dhordo, Gujarat at Rann Utsav. 2026-27 season runs from 1 November with Tent City scheduled until 7 March 2027.

• Walk out onto the White Rann.
• Shop for embroidered textiles.
• Try Kutchi and Gujarati dishes.
• Go on a full-moon evening.

The full-moon window around 22 to 25 November is the most popular, so book early. Explore stays in Kutch district.

Concerts in November in India 2026 and Film Events: Goa, Shillong and Mumbai

If you prefer to spend the month in a cinema or at a gig, you’re in good company as well, and it starts the music festival season in India 2026.

8. IFFI Goa 2026: 20 to 28 November

The 57th International Film Festival of India runs in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026. Expect Indian and international screenings, masterclasses and conversations with filmmakers.

To stay near the venues, explore hotels in Panaji. For beach time between screenings, try North Goa stays.

9. Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026: 20 to 21 November

Cool air, pink blossoms and a festival crowd make Shillong a November favourite. The event is at New Shillong Highland Grounds, and the announced headliners include Khalid, Swae Lee and Boys Like Girls.

Keep a couple of extra days for Ward’s Lake, the cafés and the waterfalls. Find hotels in Shillong and book early.

10. Anyma ÆDEN, Mumbai: 21 November

Anyma is scheduled to make his India debut with an ÆDEN show at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, produced by Sunburn and built around immersive digital visuals. Of all the Concerts in November in India, this is the one electronic music fans will have circled. Browse hotels in Mumbai.

Looking further ahead? Rolling Loud India is scheduled for 12 to 13 December, and Sunburn for 18 to 19 December in Mumbai.

Best Places to Visit in November in India

The best places to visit in November in India depend on the trip you want, and many events in November in India are tied to one city. This table of the best destinations in India in November shows what each does best.

These November holiday destinations in India work for families, friends and solo travellers alike. Want something colder? Read our guide to the 15 best snowfall locations in India.

Two Routes Through the November Events in India 2026 Calendar

• Rajasthan and Ganga loop (about 8 days): Diwali in Jaipur, then Pushkar for the fair. The Pushkar holy dip and Dev Deepawali both fall on 24 November, so you have to pick one. Leave Pushkar by the 22nd to reach Varanasi, or stay for the dip and save Varanasi for next year.
• Music and sea break (about 5 days): Mumbai for Anyma ÆDEN on 21 November, then Goa for IFFI and a few slow beach days.

5 Tips for Planning Your Trip to Festivals in November in India

Crowds at events in November in India can get heavy, so a little planning goes a long way.

1. Book early: Varanasi, Pushkar, Shillong and Panaji sell out fast.
2. Keep it realistic: Don’t squeeze far-apart cities into a short trip.
3. Verify the details: Confirm dates and tickets with official sources before you pay.
4. Carry layers: Desert nights and hill evenings get cold.
5. Mind the etiquette: Follow dress codes and photography rules at temples, ghats and gurdwaras.

Where to Stay During Events in November in India

Festival towns can double in size, so a room near the venue or good transport saves a lot of time and energy. Whether you’re chasing November events in India 2026 across Rajasthan or heading to the hills, book ahead.

At Solis Nature, you can explore handpicked hotels, resorts and villas across India, from cultural breaks to desert escapes and hill stays.

Conclusion

From Varanasi’s lit-up ghats and Pushkar’s camel grounds to the White Rann and Shillong’s music-filled hills, November gives you a reason to go almost anywhere. Few months pack as many events in November in India into one calendar.

The festivals in November in India change character from state to state, in the food, the rituals and the way neighbours show up for each other. If you want festivals worth travelling for, start with Diwali, Dev Deepawali and Pushkar.

So pick your favourite of the festivals in November in India and lock in the dates. With so many November events in India 2026 to choose from, it should be a good month.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which are the main events in November in India 2026?

The main events in November 2026 in India include Diwali on 8th November, Chhath Puja from 15th to 16th November, Pushkar Camel Fair from 17th to 24th November, Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival from 20th to 21st November, IFFI Goa from 20th to 28th November, and Anyma ÆDEN in Mumbai on 21st November, followed by Dev Deepawali and Guru Nanak Jayanti on 24th November. 

2. When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is on 6 November, Choti Diwali on 7 November, Govardhan Puja on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.

3. Which festivals in November in India are worth travelling for?

The most popular religious events are Diwali in Ayodhya, Chhath Puja in Bihar, Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and Guru Nanak Jayanti in Amritsar. Pushkar Camel Fair and Rann Utsav are the most excellent cultural tours.

4. What are the Pushkar Camel Fair 2026 dates?

The fair runs from 17 to 24 November 2026, with the Kartik Purnima holy dip at Pushkar Lake on 24 November.

5. What are the best Places to visit in November in India?

The most popular are Varanasi, Pushkar, Jaipur, Goa, Kutch, Shillong, Amritsar and Ayodhya. They all match nice times with a big festival, fair or concert.

6. Are there any major concerts in November in India in 2026?

Yes. Anyma ÆDEN is scheduled at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai, on 21 November. The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival on 20 and 21 November also features international artists.

7. Can I attend both the Pushkar holy dip and Dev Deepawali?

No. Both fall on 24 November, in Pushkar and Varanasi respectively. Choose one for that date and see the other on a different day.

8. Is November a good time to travel in India?

Yes. Pleasant weather across much of the country makes it a good month for sightseeing and festivals. Desert and hill areas get cold at night, so pack layers.

9. Where can I book tickets for Anyma ÆDEN in Mumbai?

Anyma ÆDEN is scheduled for 21 November 2026 at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai. You can check event details and book tickets through BookMyShow.

10. Where can I find the IFFI Goa 2026 schedule and registration details?

For the latest screening schedule, festival updates, registration details and announcements for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026, visit the official IFFI Goa website.