Plan your trip · Manali
What's on in Manali
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Manali — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Manali 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 Manali
Manali'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.
Signature to Manali
Winter Carnival
🗓️ JanuaryFour days on the Mall in deep winter, when Manali is snowbound rather than crowded.
Planning: Rohtang is shut; the Atal Tunnel is the way through to Lahaul.
Across Himachal Pradesh
Kullu Dussehra
🗓️ OctoberVillage deities are carried down to Kullu for a week, which is a very different Dussehra from the effigy-burning kind.
Planning: The valley fills; Manali and Kullu rooms go early.
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.
Manali's festivals reflect the traditions of the Kullu Valley, where village deities, folk music and dance are still central to local celebrations. From the snowy Winter Carnival in January to the Hadimba Devi fair in mid-May and the famous Kullu Dussehra in October, festivals offer a chance to see a very local side of Himachal Pradesh.
Festival dates can change each year, so check the latest schedule and book accommodation early if you plan to visit during a festival.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Manali
- Book hotels early for the Winter Carnival and Kullu Dussehra.
- Carry warm clothing, especially for winter and evening events.
- Expect traffic between Manali and Kullu during Dussehra week.
- Respect local customs during processions of village deities.
- Ask before photographing people during religious ceremonies.
- Keep your belongings secure in crowded areas.
Questions
Manali — FAQ
What are the main festivals in Manali?
The main festivals include the Manali Winter Carnival in January, the Hadimba Devi Mela in mid-May (usually 14–16 May) and Kullu Dussehra in October in the nearby Kullu Valley.
What is the Manali Winter Carnival?
The Manali Winter Carnival is held in January and features cultural performances, folk dances, parades and local food, celebrating winter in the mountains.
What is special about Kullu Dussehra?
Kullu Dussehra is celebrated for a week in October at Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu. Village deities are brought in processions from across the valley, making it very different from Dussehra celebrations elsewhere in India.
Are festivals in Manali crowded?
Yes, major festivals attract large crowds, so book accommodation early and allow extra travel time.