Popular Fair and Festivals of Delhi
The fairs and festivals of Delhi fill almost every month, and the dates move. Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali fall in October and November 2026, Lohri and Republic Day open 2027, and Holi follows on 22 March.
Many guides still carry last year’s details. The Grub Fest, for example, was at JLN Stadium in 2024 and at NSIC in October 2026, according to press reports. Get a venue wrong and you lose an evening.
This guide covers the major public festivals and annual fairs, not every local event. Each date is marked as fixed, calendar based or not yet announced, so you know how far to trust it.
Quick Answer
Four stand out: Durga Puja in Chittaranjan Park, Diwali, Republic Day on Kartavya Path and the India International Trade Fair. Durga Puja is free. Republic Day needs a ticket (₹100 or ₹20 in 2026), and Diwali and IITF suit shoppers.
Key Takeaways
- Lunar dates shift every year, and not in one direction. Diwali moves from 8 November to 29 October, while Holi moves from 4 March to 22 March.
- Many festivals in Delhi are free, including Durga Puja pandals and gurdwara langar. The Republic Day parade and IITF are ticketed.
- Dussehra, Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Christmas dates for 2026 match the Delhi government holiday list.
- Republic Day tickets went on sale from 5 to 14 January in 2026. Check the portal early in January 2027.
- Private food and music festivals change venue often.
Check out: Delhi Tour Packages
Delhi Festival Calendar 2026: Dates at a Glance
Government listed dates are Dussehra, Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Christmas. The rest come from calendars and news reports, checked on 15 October 2026.
| Festival | 2026 date | Main place | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durga Puja | 16 to 21 October | Chittaranjan Park, plus other pandals across the city | Pandals free |
| Dussehra | 20 October | Ramlila grounds across the city | Varies by ground |
| Diwali | 8 November (Dhanteras on 6 November) | City markets | Markets free |
| Chhath Puja | 13 to 16 November (main day 15 November) | Community events across Delhi | Check local notices |
| India International Trade Fair | 14 to 27 November | Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan | Ticketed |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | 24 November | Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and gurdwaras citywide | Free, with langar |
| Christmas | 25 December | Churches; midnight Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral is the best known | Free |
For a plan around Navratri and Dussehra, see our guide to things to do in Delhi in October. Confirm the church timing for Christmas Mass directly.
Delhi Festival Calendar 2027: Dates and Status
Lunar dates change by year. The status column shows how firm each date is.
| Festival | 2027 date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lohri | 13 January | Fixed |
| Republic Day | 26 January | Date fixed. Tickets and timings not announced. |
| Beating Retreat | End of January | Annual. Date not announced (the 2026 show was on 29 January). |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | About 10 March | Depends on moon sighting |
| Holi | 22 March (Holika Dahan on 21 March) | Calendar based, from Drik Panchang |
| International Mango Festival | Early July | Not announced (the 2026 edition ran from 3 to 5 July) |
| Independence Day | 15 August | Fixed |
| Navratri and Dussehra | Navratri from 30 September; Dussehra on 9 October | Calendar based |
| Durga Puja | About 5 to 10 October | Calendar based. Dates quoted for Kolkata, so Delhi may differ by a day. |
| Diwali | 29 October (Dhanteras on 27 October) | Calendar based |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | 14 November | Calendar based |
| IITF | November | Not announced |
| Christmas | 25 December | Fixed |
Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali
Durga Puja in Chittaranjan Park
Chittaranjan Park is the centre of Delhi’s Bengali Durga Puja. In 2026 the puja runs from Shashthi on 16 October to Dashami on 21 October, according to the CR Park community portal. Ashtami on 19 October is the main day, and Dashami is immersion day, with an afternoon procession.
The portal counts more than ten pandals and puts footfall above 500,000 across the five days. Those are its figures, not official ones. Pandals are free, and bhog is usually served around 1 to 2 PM.
It suggests evenings, roughly 6 to 10 PM, for the lights and crowds. For transport, take the Magenta Line to Nehru Enclave, about 1.1 km away. Leave the car at home.
Dussehra and Ramlila
Dussehra falls on 20 October, the tenth day of Navratri. Ramlila performances run for days and end with Ravan Dahan, the burning of giant effigies. Each committee sets its own venue and timing, and our Delhi in October guide lists the main grounds.
Diwali markets
Diwali is on 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras two days earlier. Markets get busy in the week before. A Diwali Bazaar is listed at Dilli Haat INA, but we could not confirm its 2026 dates. Firecracker rules change every year, so read the current government order before planning anything around fireworks.
Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti
Chhath Puja is a four day observance, running from 13 to 16 November in 2026. The Delhi government’s holiday list marks 15 November as the main day. Events are community run. Follow local announcements for venues.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is on 24 November 2026. Delhi Tourism says a Nagar Kirtan procession leaves Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib the day before, led by the Panj Pyare. Gurdwaras begin their rituals around 4 AM. Cover your head, and expect to be offered langar.
Republic Day, Beating Retreat and Independence Day
How the 2026 Republic Day parade worked
The parade is held on 26 January on Kartavya Path, the road many people still call Rajpath. It was renamed in September 2022. The 2026 arrangements below are a guide for 2027, not confirmed rules, because tickets, timings and closures are announced each year.
- Tickets cost ₹100 and ₹20.
- Sales ran from 5 to 14 January, online on the Aamantran portal (aamantran.mod.gov.in) or at counters.
- Visitors needed the original government photo ID used for booking.
- Kartavya Path was closed to traffic until the parade ended, with no crossing between Vijay Chowk and India Gate until 2 PM.
- Delhi Metro started services at 3 AM on 26 January 2026, and guides pointed visitors to Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat stations.
Beating Retreat and Independence Day
Beating Retreat closes the Republic Day season. In 2026, the main show on 29 January cost ₹100 and the rehearsal on 28 January cost ₹20. On 15 August the Prime Minister hoists the flag at the Red Fort, and terraces across the city fill with kites.
Delhi Tourism has also held a kite festival in January. The 2014 edition was at Golden Jubilee Park, and in other years reports place it on the Palika Bazaar lawns at Connaught Place.
Mind the string. Glass coated kite string killed three people in Delhi on Independence Day in 2016, and the city banned Chinese manjha afterwards. On a two wheeler, slow down near open grounds that day.
Lohri, Holi and Eid
Lohri, on 13 January, is a Punjabi bonfire festival. Holi falls on 22 March 2027, with Holika Dahan the evening before, so the bonfire comes first and the colours follow the next day. Eid-ul-Fitr follows the moon. The exact day is announced late. Our Delhi in March guide covers Holi in more detail.
Mango Festival and Phool Walon Ki Sair
International Mango Festival
Delhi Tourism’s Mango Festival ran from 3 to 5 July 2026 at Dilli Haat Janakpuri, according to news reports. One report counts more than 400 varieties, and one listing puts entry at ₹20 for adults. Past editions used other venues, so 2027 needs a fresh check.
Phool Walon Ki Sair in Mehrauli
This flower sellers’ festival dates to the early 19th century, under Akbar Shah II. A procession stops at the Yogmaya Temple and ends at the dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, about a 20 minute walk apart. The Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan has organised it since the 1962 revival.
The 2025 edition was called off over a venue permission dispute, and later reports say the Lieutenant Governor cleared the way. We found no confirmed date for the next edition.
Fairs and melas in Delhi
India International Trade Fair
ITPO has announced the 45th India International Trade Fair for 14 to 27 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, under the theme Vikas aur Virasat. Its own event list shows a 13 November start. Expect state pavilions, handicrafts and daily cultural programmes.
In 2025, tickets were sold through the DMRC Sarthi app and select metro stations, with none at the gate. Check ITPO for the 2026 arrangement.
Surajkund, garden festivals and the Qutub Festival
Surajkund Crafts Mela is held in February in Faridabad, Haryana, outside Delhi. Delhi’s own February events include the India Art Fair and the Garden Tourism Festival, and ticket details vary by year.
The Qutub Festival stages classical music and dance at the Qutub complex. Guides place it anywhere from October to December, so treat it as unscheduled until announced.
Food and music festivals
Private events move around. According to press reports, the Grub Fest ran on 28 and 29 September 2024 at JLN Stadium, and on 3 and 4 October 2026 at NSIC.
Older pages mention the ICCR’s Delhi International Jazz Festival at Nehru Park, but the latest edition we found was from 2016. A Time Out listing places the 6th World Jazz Festival at Audi 2, Bharat Mandapam, on 17 April 2026.
A planning example: arriving on 24 January 2027
This is a planning example built from 2026 patterns, not a customer story. A family lands in Delhi on 24 January 2027 and wants to see the parade.
In 2026, ticket sales closed on 14 January. A family that starts on 20 January would very likely be too late, so the first job is to check the Aamantran portal before booking flights. If tickets are gone, Beating Retreat at the end of January is the fallback.
Older relatives are better off with a ticketed seat than a spot near the route. Keep the morning free of other plans, because roads close early.
Festivals matched to travellers
| If you like | Go for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bengali culture and food | Durga Puja, CR Park | Free pandals and bhog at most pandals |
| Shopping | IITF, Diwali markets | State pavilions and handicraft stalls |
| Heritage | Phool Walon Ki Sair, Qutub Festival | Mehrauli and Qutub complex settings, when they run |
| Community and faith | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Nagar Kirtan and free langar |
| National ceremony | Republic Day, Independence Day | Kartavya Path and the Red Fort |
| Families with children | Dussehra grounds, IITF | Open grounds, performances and pavilions |
Best fairs and festivals of Delhi for first time visitors
Our pick is Durga Puja in Chittaranjan Park. It is free and it runs for five days, and the CR Park portal calls Ashtami the busiest of them. If your dates fall in January, go for Republic Day instead. If you mainly want to shop, choose IITF.
How to plan a trip around festivals in Delhi, step by step
- Pick the festival first, then fix your dates around it.
- Check the status of the date in our tables. Anything marked calendar based or not announced needs a second look closer to travel.
- Book your stay near a metro line. Delhi’s main rail stations are New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin, and the airport is Indira Gandhi International.
- Buy tickets only through official channels.
- Travel by metro and on foot on event days.
- Carry photo ID, water, a small bag and some cash for small stalls.
Costs, tickets and documents for festivals in Delhi
| Event | Cost | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Durga Puja pandals | Free | Small bag only. Ask before photographing idols or worshippers. |
| Republic Day parade | ₹100 or ₹20 in 2026 | Aamantran portal or counters. Original government photo ID. |
| Beating Retreat | ₹100 main show, ₹20 rehearsal in 2026 | Same ticketing and ID rules as the parade. |
| IITF | Ticketed | Official channels only. Check ITPO for the price. |
| Mango Festival | One 2026 listing says ₹20 for adults | Check Delhi Tourism. |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Free, with langar | Cover your head and remove shoes at gurdwaras. |
Prices come from 2025 and 2026 reports. 2027 prices are not announced.
Festival day checklist
- Government photo ID and your ticket
- Water bottle, a small bag, shoes you can walk in for hours
- A head covering for gurdwaras and modest clothes for temples and dargahs
Common mistakes at festivals in Delhi
- Trusting a date from last year’s article.
- Assuming Holi or Eid falls near last year’s date. Holi was on 4 March in 2026 and is on 22 March in 2027.
- Driving to Chittaranjan Park during the puja.
- Reaching the parade without the booking ID.
- Treating private ticketed festivals as fixed.
Pro tips
- For smaller crowds at CR Park, pick a night other than Ashtami.
- Ask before you photograph an idol or a worshipper.
- Keep a spare evening in your plan. Festivals run late and sometimes move.
Why plan festivals in Delhi with The Delhi Tours
The Delhi Tours is run by Shikhar Travels India Pvt. Ltd., a destination management company with its registered office in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. Its About page says the company has operated for 33 years. The site offers Delhi sightseeing packages and overnight excursions. It also publishes guest testimonials.
If you want help with closed roads, crowd timings or a guide for a festival day, email tours@shikhar.com with the festival name and your dates.
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FAQs
What are the main festivals in Delhi?
Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Eid, Lohri, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Christmas, Republic Day and Independence Day are the biggest. The Mango Festival, Phool Walon Ki Sair and IITF are well known fairs. Dates for lunar festivals change each year, so use a current calendar.
When is Diwali in Delhi in 2026 and 2027?
Diwali is on 8 November 2026 and 29 October 2027. Dhanteras falls two days earlier, on 6 November 2026 and 27 October 2027. Markets in Delhi get busy about a week before the main day, so plan any shopping early in that week.
When is Dussehra in 2026 and 2027?
Dussehra is on 20 October 2026 and 9 October 2027. Navratri begins on 11 October 2026 and 30 September 2027. Ramlila performances run through Navratri and end with Ravan Dahan, the burning of effigies, on Dussehra evening at many grounds.
When is Durga Puja in Chittaranjan Park in 2026?
It runs from Shashthi on 16 October to Dashami on 21 October 2026, with Ashtami on 19 October as the main day. Entry to the pandals is free, and bhog is usually served around 1 to 2 PM, so plan your visit around that.
Which festivals in Delhi are free?
Durga Puja pandals and gurdwara langar are free. Entry to Dussehra grounds varies by committee, so check the poster at each ground. Ticketed events include the Republic Day parade, Beating Retreat and IITF, which sell tickets through official channels only.
Where is the Republic Day parade held in Delhi?
On Kartavya Path, formerly Rajpath. The road was renamed in September 2022. Start times and road closures are announced each year, and in 2026 the road stayed closed to traffic until the parade ended, so check the official advisory before you travel.
How much is a Republic Day parade ticket?
In 2026, tickets were ₹100 and ₹20, sold online on the Aamantran portal or at counters from 5 to 14 January. Carry the original government photo ID used for booking. Prices for 2027 are not announced yet, so check the portal in early January.
When is Holi in 2027?
Holi falls on Monday, 22 March 2027, and Holika Dahan is the evening before, on 21 March. In 2026, Holi was on 4 March. Public celebrations get crowded, so organised events are easier for visitors, especially families and older travellers.
When is the International Mango Festival in Delhi?
It is held in early July by Delhi Tourism. The 2026 edition ran from 3 to 5 July at Dilli Haat Janakpuri, according to news reports. Past editions used other venues, so check Delhi Tourism for the 2027 dates and location before you go.
What is Phool Walon Ki Sair?
It is a flower offering festival in Mehrauli that dates to the early 19th century under Akbar Shah II. Offerings go to the Yogmaya Temple and the Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki dargah. The 2025 edition was cancelled over a permission dispute, so check the next date.
Which Delhi fair is best for shopping?
IITF, announced by ITPO for 14 to 27 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, has state pavilions and handicrafts. In 2025, tickets were sold through the DMRC Sarthi app and select metro stations, with none at the gate. Check ITPO for 2026 ticketing.
Is Surajkund Mela in Delhi?
No. Surajkund Crafts Mela is held in February in Faridabad, Haryana, just outside Delhi. Delhi’s own February events include the India Art Fair and the Garden Tourism Festival. Check dates and tickets each year, since both change, and plan it as a separate trip.
Plan your Trip to the Festivals in Delhi
For a first visit, pick Durga Puja or Republic Day, and book the ticketed ones early. Dates marked calendar based or not announced need a second check closer to travel.
To plan around a festival with a guide or driver, email tours@shikhar.com with the festival and your dates. For month plans, read our guides to Delhi in October and Delhi in March.
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