India's festival calendar

Goa · March

Shigmo

Goa's spring festival, with vibrant street processions, folk dance and colour that predates and parallels Holi.

Goa · February/March

Carnival

A four-day pre-Lenten street festival with parades, floats and music — a Goan-Portuguese tradition unique in India.

Goa · June

Sao Joao

A monsoon festival where young men jump into wells and water bodies wearing floral crowns to celebrate St John the Baptist.

Goa · August

Bonderam

A flag festival on Divar Island re-enacting old land-boundary disputes through a playful mock battle and parade.

Goa · August/September

Chikhal Kalo

A mud festival at Marcel where devotees play in a flooded paddy field as part of Krishna-related celebrations.

Goa · November–May

Zatra traditions

Village temple fairs held across Goa through the dry season, combining ritual, music and community feasting.

Goa · December

Feast of St Francis Xavier

An annual feast at Old Goa's Basilica of Bom Jesus honouring the saint, drawing pilgrims from across India and abroad.

Goa · Varies

Grape/Eco and food-cultural festivals

Seasonal harvest and food festivals celebrating Goa's grape, cashew and coastal cuisine traditions.

Goa · Varies

local village feasts

Small parish and village feast days observed throughout the year, central to Goa's Catholic community calendar.