Plan your trip · Kasauli
What's on in Kasauli
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Kasauli — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Kasauli 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 Kasauli
Kasauli's calendar runs through most of the year, with the busiest weeks in the clear, comfortable months and a quieter stretch in the heaviest rain. Broadly, Oct – Mar and Apr – Jun 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.
Kasauli is a quiet town, and its calendar is small. The biggest event is the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival, usually held in October at the Kasauli Club, which brings writers and readers up from Delhi and Chandigarh for a long weekend. Christmas is the other highlight, when Christ Church holds services and the Mall fills with visitors for the holidays.
Hindu festivals like Holi, Diwali and Dussehra are celebrated across the town, and the Baba Balak Nath temple near Kasauli usually holds a fair around Holi. Dates change each year, so check the latest schedule before you plan your trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Kasauli
- Book your stay early for the literature festival, Christmas and New Year, as Kasauli has limited rooms.
- Check whether a festival session or venue needs registration before you go.
- Carry warm layers, as October and December evenings are cold.
- Expect slow traffic on the road up from Chandigarh on festival weekends.
- Park where allowed and walk, as vehicles are restricted on the Mall.
- Dress modestly and stay quiet during church services and temple fairs.
Questions
Kasauli — FAQ
What is the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival?
It is a literature festival named after the writer Khushwant Singh, who had a long connection with Kasauli. It is usually held in October at the Kasauli Club, with talks and author sessions.
Is Kasauli good for Christmas?
Yes. Christ Church, one of the oldest churches in Himachal Pradesh, is the centre of Christmas in Kasauli. It is also a busy time, so book your stay early.
Are there any fairs in Kasauli?
The Baba Balak Nath temple, about 3 km from Kasauli, usually holds a fair around Holi. Check local dates before you go.
Which festivals near Kasauli are worth a trip?
The Shimla Summer Festival, usually in May or June, is a few hours' drive away. Kullu Dussehra in October is much further, so plan it as a separate trip.