Jaipur’s festival calendar is one of the richest in India, with major events spanning literature, religion, music, and folk traditions across all 12 months. The Pink City’s royal patronage means many festivals are celebrated with a scale and pageantry that you will not find elsewhere in Rajasthan. Timing your visit around one of these events transforms an already colourful city into something unforgettable. This guide covers every major Jaipur festival with dates, locations, and what to expect. For advice on which months offer the best overall travel conditions, check our Jaipur best time to visit guide; for the weather conditions during each festival period, see Jaipur weather by month.
Jaipur Events and Festivals: Winter (November to February)
Jaipur Literature Festival (January)
The Jaipur Literature Festival is the world’s largest free literary festival, held over 5 days in the last week of January at Diggi Palace Hotel. Past speakers have included Nobel laureates Orhan Pamuk and J.M. Coetzee, alongside Booker winners and celebrity authors. Attendance has grown to over 250,000 across the 5 days. Entry is free but registration is required on the JLF website. The festival grounds include a buzzy bookshop, food stalls serving Rajasthani and international cuisine, and evening music performances. Hotels in Jaipur sell out months in advance during JLF week, so book your accommodation by October at the latest. The Diggi Palace is in the C-Scheme area, about 3km from the Old City.
Makar Sankranti Kite Festival (January 14)
On January 14, the sky above Jaipur fills with thousands of kites as the city celebrates Makar Sankranti, the transition of the sun into Capricorn. The best viewing spots are the rooftops around the City Palace and the Nahargarh Fort ridge, where you can watch kite battles between neighbourhood teams. The Jaipur International Kite Festival, held at the Jaipur Polo Ground, features professional kite fliers from India and abroad with enormous character kites and synchronised displays. The festival runs alongside the Makar Sankranti celebrations. Entry is free. Local sweet shops sell til ke laddu (sesame seed sweets) and gajak (peanut brittle), the traditional Sankranti foods.
Jaipur Heritage International Jazz Festival (February)
Held over a weekend in late February at the Jawahar Kala Kendra cultural centre, this small but growing jazz festival brings Indian and international jazz musicians to Jaipur. Past performers have included artists from France, Italy, Brazil, and the US alongside Indian fusion acts. Tickets cost INR 500 to 1,500 (US$6 to US$18) depending on the day pass. The JKK amphitheatre seats about 500, so it never feels overcrowded.
Jaipur Events and Festivals: Spring (March to April)
Holi (March)
Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, is celebrated with particular enthusiasm in Jaipur. The date varies by the lunar calendar but usually falls in March. The main Holi event in Jaipur is the Holi procession from the City Palace, where the erstwhile royal family participates, to the Govind Dev Ji Temple. At the Khasa Kothi area near the railway station, the Rajasthan Tourism Department organises a Holi celebration with folk music, dance performances, and organic colours. Most hotels host their own Holi parties with music and safe, washable colours. If you are on the streets during Holi, wear old clothes you are happy to throw away: the coloured powder and water will not wash out completely. Protect your camera and phone in a waterproof bag.
Gangaur Festival (March/April)
Gangaur is an 18-day festival honouring Goddess Gauri (Parvati), celebrated primarily by Rajasthani women. The festival culminates in a grand procession on the final day (usually in late March or early April) from the City Palace through the Old City to Talkatora Lake. Women carry decorated brass water pots on their heads and idols of Gauri, while the procession includes painted elephants, camels, chariots, and folk performers. The festival is particularly significant for newlywed women who pray for their husband’s wellbeing. The best viewing is along Tripolia Bazaar and Choti Chaupar.
Elephant Festival (March)
The Elephant Festival traditionally coincided with Holi at the Jaipur Polo Ground, featuring beautifully painted elephants, elephant polo matches, and a tug-of-war between elephants and teams of men. In recent years the festival has been scaled back and moved to the Amber Fort area. Check the Rajasthan Tourism website for the current year’s schedule as dates and format can change. If the festival is running, expect decorated elephants, folk music, and competitions.
Jaipur Events and Festivals: Monsoon (July to September)
Teej Festival (July/August)
Teej celebrates the arrival of the monsoon and the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The highlight is a massive procession from the City Palace that winds through the Old City (Tripolia Bazaar, Choti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar) over two days. The procession features the deity idol on a palanquin carried by devotees, decorated elephants, camels, horses, and folk dancers in green clothing (green is the traditional Teej colour). Women and girls swing on decorated swings hung from trees, a Rajasthani Teej tradition symbolising the joy of the monsoon. The festival usually falls in late July or early August depending on the lunar calendar. The streets are crowded but the atmosphere is festive and welcoming to visitors. Confirm the exact dates with the Rajasthan Tourism office before booking.
Jaipur Events and Festivals: Autumn (October to November)
Diwali (October/November)
Diwali, the festival of lights, transforms Jaipur into a glittering spectacle. The city’s markets and major buildings are draped in fairy lights and oil lamps (diyas). Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar stay open late and are festooned with lights. Nahargarh Fort offers a panoramic view of the illuminated city below. Fireworks crackle across the sky from sunset onward on the main Diwali night. The festival date varies by the Hindu lunar calendar but typically falls in late October or early November. Hotels light their courtyards with thousands of diyas. Book rooftop restaurant tables well in advance for Diwali night.
Jaipur International Film Festival (January)
JIFF, held in early to mid-January, screens over 200 films from 60-plus countries at various venues including the Golcha Cinema and Jawahar Kala Kendra. The festival has grown steadily since its launch in 2009 and includes workshops, panel discussions, and awards across feature, documentary, and short film categories. Day passes cost INR 300 (US$3.60). The festival runs for about 5 days and overlaps with the lead-up to the Literature Festival in some years.
Jaipur’s festival calendar means there is almost always something happening. Small local festivals and temple events pop up throughout the year as well: ask at your hotel desk for current listings. For a complete list of attractions to pair with these festivals, browse our things to do in Jaipur guide. The where to stay in Jaipur guide covers hotels well-positioned for each festival area, and the Jaipur travel tips and FAQ FAQ has practical advice on getting around during crowded festival days. For the full picture of Jaipur’s seasons, start with our main Jaipur travel guide.
