Bangalore’s event calendar blends traditional Karnataka festivals with a cosmopolitan lineup of film, literature, music, and food events. The Lalbagh Flower Show, Karaga Festival, and the city’s growing roster of cultural festivals mark the highlights.
Bangalore Karaga Festival (March/April)
The Bangalore Karaga is a 300-year-old Tamil-origin festival honoring the goddess Draupadi, held during the full moon of the Chaitra month (typically March or April). The main event is a midnight procession from the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in the old city (Tigalarapet area, near City Market), where a male priest balances a tall floral pyramid (karaga) on his head and walks a 12km route through the old city streets. The procession starts around midnight and runs until dawn, drawing over 100,000 spectators. The route passes through narrow lanes and major streets in the Chickpet and Avenue Road areas. The Bangalore police provide route maps a week before. This is a religious event: dress modestly, avoid flash photography of the priest, and expect dense crowds. For seasonal weather, see the Bangalore weather guide.
Lalbagh Flower Show (January and August)
The Lalbagh Flower Show runs twice annually: Republic Day (January 20-30, peaking on January 26) and Independence Day (August 7-16, peaking on August 15). The Victorian glasshouse is filled with themed floral arrangements using tens of thousands of flowers, from Dutch tulips to Indian marigolds. Held at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM during shows. Entry is INR 80 on weekdays, INR 100 on weekends (Indian nationals); foreign tourists pay INR 200-250. Each show attracts approximately 500,000 visitors. Arrive before 9:00 AM to avoid the longest queues. The Republic Day show typically has better flower quality due to the cooler weather.
Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFES) (January/February)
BIFFES is a week-long film festival held in late January or early February, screening 200+ films from 50 countries across venues including Orion Mall (Rajajinagar), PVR Cinemas, and the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. The festival showcases Indian and international cinema, with a competition section for Asian films. Delegate passes cost approximately INR 800-1,500 for the full festival or INR 100 per screening. The schedule is announced 2-3 weeks in advance on the BIFFES website. Most venues are accessible via Namma Metro.
Bangalore Literature Festival (November)
The Bangalore Literature Festival is a free two-day event held on a weekend in November, typically at the Lalit Ashok Hotel or similar central venue. The festival features 100+ authors in panel discussions, book signings, and workshops. Past speakers include Ramachandra Guha, Shashi Tharoor, and international authors. Entry is free but registration on the festival website is required for session access. The venue fills up by 10:00 AM for headline sessions. For nearby accommodation, see where to stay in Bangalore.
Ganesh Chaturthi (August/September)
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across Bangalore with the installation of Ganesha idols in neighborhood pandals (temporary shrines). The 10-day festival, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (dates vary by Hindu calendar, typically late August or early September), sees the largest celebrations in Basavanagudi, Malleswaram, and Jayanagar. The final day features processions carrying idols to lakes for immersion, causing major traffic disruptions. Ulsoor Lake and Sankey Tank are the main immersion points. The streets of old Bangalore (Chickpet, Avenue Road) are impassable by vehicle during the final immersion procession.
Ugadi (March/April)
Ugadi marks the Kannada New Year, typically in late March or early April. It’s a family-oriented festival with temple visits and traditional meals. Special Ugadi dishes like holige (sweet flatbread) and bevu bella (neem and jaggery mixture symbolizing life’s bitter and sweet moments) are served in traditional Karnataka restaurants like MTR and Vidyarthi Bhavan. Temples including the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi and the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple hold special poojas. This is not a big public celebration but a cultural day when many Bangalore attractions remain open.
Bangalore Habba (December)
Bangalore Habba is a multi-venue cultural festival held over several weekends in December, organized by the Artistes’ Foundation for the Arts. Events include classical music concerts, dance performances, theater, and craft bazaars, with venues spread across the city including Palace Grounds, Chowdiah Memorial Hall, and Rangoli Metro Art Center. Most events are free. The schedule is released in November on the Bangalore Habba website. December weather is ideal for outdoor evening events.
