Plan your trip · Chandigarh
What's on in Chandigarh
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Chandigarh — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Chandigarh right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Chandigarh
Chandigarh packs most of its outdoor calendar into the cooler months; the pre-monsoon peak is hot enough that daytime processions are genuinely hard going. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Chandigarh's calendar is busiest in the cooler months. The biggest event is the Rose Festival, usually held over three days in February at the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, with flower displays, folk music and food stalls. In winter, the city also hosts a chrysanthemum show, usually in December, and the Chandigarh Carnival, which is often held in November.
As a Punjabi city, Chandigarh celebrates Lohri in mid-January and Baisakhi in April with bonfires, music and bhangra. Teej is celebrated during the monsoon, and Navratri brings large melas at Mata Mansa Devi Temple in nearby Panchkula. Dates can change from year to year, so check the schedule before you plan your trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Chandigarh
- Go to the Rose Festival early in the day, before the biggest crowds arrive.
- Book accommodation early for the Rose Festival and long weekends.
- Expect heavy traffic and parking restrictions around festival venues.
- Carry warm layers for winter evening events, as nights get cold.
- Keep your phone and wallet secure in crowded areas.
- Expect very large crowds at Mansa Devi during Navratri, and go early.
Questions
Chandigarh — FAQ
What are the main festivals and events in Chandigarh?
The highlights are the Rose Festival in February, Lohri, Baisakhi, Teej, the Navratri melas at Mansa Devi, the Chandigarh Carnival and the winter chrysanthemum show. Diwali and Holi are also widely celebrated.
When is the Chandigarh Rose Festival?
The Rose Festival is usually held over three days in February at the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden in Sector 16. Check the exact dates for the year before you plan your trip.
How is Lohri celebrated in Chandigarh?
Lohri, in mid-January, marks the end of the coldest part of winter. Families and neighbours gather around bonfires with music, dancing and snacks like peanuts, popcorn and rewri.
When is the Chandigarh Carnival?
The Chandigarh Carnival is usually held in November and features folk performances, music and craft stalls. Dates and venues can change, so check before you go.