A Calendar of India's Major Music Festivals

For a music aficionado, music festivals are literal paradise; the opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, watch your favorite artists perform live, and discover new artists all rolled into one coordinated event. In India, one can find a diverse variety of genres and instruments; this makes for multiple different types of festivals throughout the year in all parts of the country, where music and culture are celebrated.

January - April 

The Saptak Music Festival is held as a celebration of classical music in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, for the first two weeks of January every year. It is held by the Saptak School of Music and features both maestros of Indian classical music along with up-and-coming artists. One may find vocalists, percussionists and instrumentalists performing here, and the performances may be traditional or fusion. Unlike other events, this festival is invitation-based and only invited attendees are permitted within the festival.

The Mahindra Blues Festival, famously held in the Mehboob studio in Mumbai during the month of February every year, is one of India’s most famous music festivals. It features both local and international artists in its lineup and is a cultural celebration of the blues genre in an intimate studio setting.

The Mahindra Percussion Festival is an annual music festival held in Bengaluru every March, which features percussionists of all skill levels as performers and cultural artists. There are often collaborations with folk and tribal musicians, and there are festivities and food stalls set up. Ticketing prices vary depending on what inclusions you choose, but seem to start at around 750 Rs. per person. 

May - August

The Ooty Summer Festival, a flower and heritage festival in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, is typically held in May and features agricultural shows, particularly of flowers and floral sculptures. There are also displays of spices and fruits and vegetables to display the region’s diversity. The region’s Nilgiri community displays their culture through song and dance performances.

The Bir Music Festival is held twice a year, once in June and once in December. It is held in the village of Bir, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The festival combines indie music, art and nature for a surreal experience. The combination of live music and Himachali culture draws many attendees every year and turns the valley into a place of celebration and beauty.

September - December

The Ziro Festival of Music usually starts in September but sometimes is extended into early October. It takes place in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, as a four-day event of music, dance and culture with camping facilities available for attendees. It hosts all kinds of musical acts and allows for a close connection to nature for the four days. 

The Jodhpur RIFF, also known as the Rajasthani International Folk Festival, celebrates the folk tradition and music of not only Rajasthan, but the entirety of India. It also features international artists. The festival is held yearly in October at the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, and is even endorsed by UNESCO as a “People’s Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development”. There are performances and interactive sessions.

The Sunburn Festival in Goa is India’s most famous music festival and one of the most famous EDM festivals in the world that feature big names in the EDM industry both domestically and internationally. It is a large and diverse festival with thousands of attendees every year. It is typically held in December.

The Magnetic Fields Festival is a dance festival held in a 17th century Rajasthani palace called Alsisar Mahal every December. This event features local Rajasthani folk artists and electronic music, and is a place to discover emerging artists, art installations and parties.