Udaipur never really runs out of reasons to celebrate. One month the rooftops are full of kites, a few weeks later the lanes are pink with gulal, and by autumn every ghat is lined with little clay lamps. If you're choosing when to visit, this calendar is the cheat sheet we'd hand a friend.
First, a word about dates
Most festivals here follow the Hindu lunar calendar, so they slide around by a few weeks from one year to the next. What stays the same is the season. Use the months below as a guide, then check the current year's dates before you book flights or a lakeside room.
Good to know: big festivals mean busier hotels and fuller rooftops. If a festival is the reason for your trip, lock in your stay as soon as the dates are confirmed.
Winter: December to February
Shilpgram Utsav (December)
The West Zone Cultural Centre's ten-day crafts fair at Shilpgram, typically starting around 21 December. Artisans, folk performers and food stalls fill the rural crafts village just west of the city. Our Shilpgram Utsav guide has the full plan.
Christmas and New Year (late December)
Not traditional Mewari festivals, but the lakeside areas get lively and very busy. Book early if you're coming in the last week of December.
Makar Sankranti (mid-January)
Kite day. Rooftops across the old city fill with families, music and the cry of "kaata!" whenever someone's string gets cut. Cool mornings, clear skies, very good mood.
Spring: March and April
Holi (February or March)
Holika Dahan bonfires on the full-moon evening, colours the next morning. The City Palace hosts a royal Holika Dahan that's worth planning around. Read our Holi in Udaipur guide for the safe way to play.
Gangaur and the Mewar Festival (March or April)
The big one for Udaipur. Women carry idols of Gauri to Gangaur Ghat, boats light up Lake Pichola and fireworks close the evening. Our Gangaur and Mewar Festival guide tells you exactly where to stand.
Summer: May and June
This is the hot stretch, and temperatures can climb past 40 °C. Festival-wise it's quieter, which makes it a calm (if sweaty) time to see the City Palace without queues. Plan sightseeing for early mornings, retreat indoors in the afternoon, and save the lakes for after sunset, when the breeze finally shows up.
Jagannath Rath Yatra (June or July)
A grand chariot procession sets out from Jagdish Temple and winds through the old city. Devotees pull ropes, sing and shower the route with flowers. It's one of the most joyful days in the old city, so get there early.
Monsoon: July to September
Hariyali Amavasya fair (July or August)
A big local fair around Fateh Sagar and Saheliyon ki Bari, with stalls, swings and snacks as the hills turn green.
Teej (July or August)
Women dress in green and leheriya, swings go up in courtyards and sweet shops pile up ghevar. Our monsoon guide covers both.
Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami (August)
Rakhi stalls take over the markets, and Janmashtami brings huge crowds to Shrinathji at Nathdwara, about 48 km away.
Autumn: September to November
Navratri and Dussehra (September or October)
Nine nights of garba, with groups dancing in circles late into the evening in neighbourhood grounds and community venues. Dussehra follows on the tenth day.
Diwali (October or November)
Ghats, havelis and the City Palace glow with lamps, and the markets are at their busiest in the days before. See Diwali in Udaipur for where to go.
The calendar at a glance
| Usual month(s) | Festival | Where to be |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-January | Makar Sankranti | Old city rooftops |
| February–March | Holi | City Palace, old city |
| March–April | Gangaur & Mewar Festival | Gangaur Ghat, Lake Pichola |
| June–July | Jagannath Rath Yatra | Jagdish Temple |
| July–August | Hariyali Amavasya, Teej | Fateh Sagar, Saheliyon ki Bari |
| September–October | Navratri, Dussehra | Neighbourhood garba grounds |
| October–November | Diwali | Ghats and markets |
| December | Shilpgram Utsav | Shilpgram |
So when should you come?
For pleasant weather plus a festival, aim for Diwali, Shilpgram Utsav or Gangaur. For green hills and fewer tourists, the monsoon is lovely. If you only have a long weekend, pick one festival and build around it rather than trying to catch everything; a relaxed evening on the ghats beats a rushed one every time. Whichever you pick, we can help you plan your trip around it.
Local tip: follow local news and community pages a couple of weeks ahead. Udaipur's smaller neighbourhood events are often announced only at short notice.
Quick answers
What is the biggest festival in Udaipur?
Gangaur, together with the Mewar Festival in March or April, is the most distinctly Udaipur celebration. Diwali and Holi are also huge.
Which month is best to visit Udaipur for festivals?
October to March gives you good weather plus Diwali, Shilpgram Utsav and Holi. Gangaur usually falls just after, in March or April.
Do Udaipur festival dates change every year?
Yes. Most follow the Hindu calendar, so check the current year's dates before booking.
