A Guide to Goa's Sunburn Festival

As one of the most scenic states in India, Goa is the place to be for adventurers, beach-goers, and the tourists looking to snap aesthetic sunset pictures. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations for both Indians and non-Indians due to its wide range of accommodations and activities, mainly related to the beach and seaside, but it’s also home to the Sunburn Festival, the largest EDM festival in Asia. 

Origin

The Sunburn Festival started in the year 2007 as a three-day music festival event, and has now evolved into a huge sensation in the music industry, with multiple big artists such as the Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix, David Guetta and Swedish House Mafia having performed in recent years, and thousands of attendees coming to watch their pick of the many simultaneous performances. It has also expanded to other cities.

It is usually held in the month of December, for the pleasant weather, and takes place over three to five days. 

Essential Information

This festival is adult-only, meaning only people 18 and above may attend. Do not try and impersonate an adult; there can be serious consequences.

Hotel bookings and packages usually fill up weeks in advance due to the festival’s popularity, so it’s good to plan your trip and accommodation in advance for better prices and more convenient options. Pack according to the weather and the festival aesthetic if you’re inclined towards fashion, as there is a lot more to this festival than just music performances. 

It is considered an entire lifestyle event, with food stalls, fun activities and art exhibits. 

There are no bags or drugs allowed within festival grounds, and you cannot enter without your ID and ticket. Remember to carry those, and water for hydration. 

Festival Etiquette

This is a high-energy and immersive festival where emotions run high and things can get heated, so it’s important to behave responsibly. Don’t do anything that can spoil the fun for others as that will affect you too. 

Highly crowded events often leave behind a lot of trash and pollution that affects the environment, so make sure you’re not part of the litterer crowd, and take your trash with you to dispose of responsibly.