Last Updated on 24/12/2024
To grasp the mood of carnival and revelry in Goa, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, try visiting the destination during festival time. The Goa Festivals are truly unique in nature and perfectly mirror a style and culture that’s free and quite singular in its own way. You will love the frenzy and the adrenaline rush you feel during the festival season, along with the happy party ambiance around you!
If you are looking for celebrations and parties in India, your ultimate holiday destination for revelry is Goa. This place caters to the largest underground and commercial parties, with people flooding in during the tourist season, which lasts from November to March each year. Apart from wild parties and extravagant celebrations, Goa also offers festivals for its tourists to enjoy. Find out more about these festivals in the following descriptions of the major festivals during the peak tourist season.
List of 4 Fair and Festivals in Goa
1. Sunburn Festival
- Where: Vagator, Goa (formerly Candolim)
- When: Annually, December
- Major attractions: International EDM artists, large-scale performances, vibrant party atmosphere
- Famous For: One of the largest Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals globally
With Shailendra Singh overseeing the framework and concepts from the ‘Percept’ company, something like the ‘Sunburn’ festival was bound to be a hit. The festival takes place annually on the Candolim shores since 2007, with its reputation and audience growing over the years. Sunburn hosts one of the largest ‘Electronic Dance Music’ (EDM) shows worldwide, with internationally famed artists like Axwell, Above & Beyond, and Gareth Emery performing here, along with other artists. This three-day festival is the ultimate hub for all EDM fans in India and is the biggest stage for EDM performances. With the growth and popularity of this event, the location for the festival has now changed to Vagator, on a grander scale.
2. Zambhala Festival
- Where: Bardo, Ashvem, Goa
- When: Annually, December (2 days)
- Major attractions: Soulful music, Sufi performances, yoga and naturopathy workshops
- Famous For: Spiritual growth and enlightenment through music, yoga, and healing
This festival offers spiritual freedom to those with an intellectual mindset. It is exclusively meant for those hungry for soulful music, with varieties from Peru to Shamans included in the ‘Zambhala’. Istanbul-based Sufi masters, along with world leaders in ‘naturopathy’ and ‘nutrition’, offer their knowledge to a keen audience. Various enlightenment methods such as music and yoga are taught at this festival. This invigorating ‘Zambhala’ takes place at Bardo in Ashvem for a total of two days in December. If you are seeking spiritual upliftment, make sure you do not miss this enlightening extravaganza.
3. Supersonic Festival
- Where: Candolim, Goa
- When: Annually, last week of December
- Major attractions: International DJs, diverse music genres (from dubstep to techno), large crowds
- Famous For: One of India’s biggest EDM festivals, blending global talent with local culture
Nikhil Chinapa, the main founder of this festival who also co-founded the Sunburn festival, is behind the ‘VH1 Supersonic Festival’. This event lasts for up to five days at the same venue where the ‘Sunburn Festival’ is held—Candolim. The event is partnered with the Viacom Network 18, with the intention of bringing together international figures from the music industry to rock the show. Chinapa, an expert in the electronic music scene, ensures that attendees experience a wide range of music, from dubstep to techno, for a wild musical experience. The ‘Supersonic Festival’ takes place during the last week of December every year.
4. India Bike Week
For your ‘annual dose’ of adrenaline rush, head to this festival, which will take your two-wheeler out with horsepower. This festival takes place in January each year, with bikers from across the country participating for fun, power, and simply a love of the game. The ‘India Bike Week’ (IBW) hosts several garage sales, biking competitions, biker build-offs, exhibitions, and cage fights, with the additional attraction of live music. Biking enthusiasts and regular bikers take their fair share in the IBW, which lasts for two days. It unites the biking community globally, with international professionals making appearances to compete with their Indian counterparts. This is the greatest two-wheeler festival, where music and motors play side by side, and you should not miss it if you’re in Goa at this time.
Thus, your time in Goa will be wisely spent during the festival season as you participate in one or more of these festivals.
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