Udaipur’s festival calendar draws on centuries of Mewar royal tradition, Hindu religious celebrations, and Rajasthan’s deep folk culture. Unlike some Indian cities where festivals are private family affairs, Udaipur’s major events play out in public: on the lakes, through the old city streets, and at the City Palace. Timing your visit around one of these events adds a layer to the experience that museums alone can’t provide. Check the Udaipur weather by month guide for more details.
Udaipur Events and Festivals: Spring Celebrations
Mewar Festival (Late March / Early April)
The Mewar Festival is Udaipur’s flagship cultural event, held over three days to coincide with the Gangaur festival (typically late March to early April, dates shift with the lunar calendar). The celebration begins with a procession of decorated idols of Shiva and Parvati carried through the old city from the City Palace to Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola, accompanied by folk musicians, dancers, and costumed performers. The idols are placed in boats and carried onto the lake, followed by a fireworks display. Day two features cultural performances at various venues across the city including Bagore ki Haveli and Shilpgram. Day three concludes with more lake processions and music. Women dressed in traditional Rajasthani attire form the heart of the procession. The 2025 dates were March 31 to April 2; the 2026 edition is expected around March 21-23. Book accommodations 2-3 months ahead as hotels fill quickly during Mewar Festival weekend. Check the best time to visit Udaipur guide for more details. Check the where to stay in Udaipur guide for more details.
Holi (March)
Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, is celebrated across Udaipur with particular enthusiasm. The City Palace hosts a royal Holika Dahan ceremony on the eve of Holi, with the current Maharana lighting the ceremonial bonfire in the palace courtyard. On Holi day itself, the old city becomes a riot of coloured powder (gulal), water balloons, and dancing in the streets. Tourists are welcomed into the celebrations, but wear clothes you’re willing to throw away (the colours don’t wash out) and apply coconut oil to exposed skin before heading out to make the powder easier to remove later. The Jagdish Temple area and Gangaur Ghat are the most active celebration spots. Most tourist sites close by midday on Holi day, so plan sightseeing for the morning or the day after. Check the things to do in Udaipur guide for more details.
Udaipur Events and Festivals: Monsoon and Autumn
Hariyali Amavasya (July/August)
Hariyali Amavasya (the “Green New Moon”) marks the arrival of the monsoon and is celebrated with fairs and folk performances across the Mewar region. In Udaipur, the main celebration takes place at the Sahelion ki Bari gardens and around Fateh Sagar Lake. The timing is lunar (usually July or August). This is a predominantly local festival, less tourist-oriented than the Mewar Festival, giving you a more authentic glimpse of Rajasthani rural culture. Expect folk music, traditional dances, and temporary food stalls around the lake area. Check the Udaipur travel tips guide for more details.
Diwali (October/November)
Diwali transforms Udaipur’s old city into a spectacle of oil lamps (diyas) lining every rooftop, balcony, and ghat. The City Palace is illuminated with thousands of lights reflecting in Lake Pichola. The festival runs for five days, with the main Lakshmi Puja falling on the third day (new moon night). Fireworks erupt across the city after sunset, best viewed from a rooftop restaurant or hotel terrace. Many hotels offer special Diwali dinner packages. The exact dates shift each year based on the Hindu lunar calendar: Diwali 2025 falls on October 20; Diwali 2026 falls on November 8. Book accommodations well in advance if visiting during Diwali. Check the Udaipur neighborhoods guide for more details.
Udaipur Events and Festivals: Winter Season
Shilpgram Utsav (Late December)
The Shilpgram Arts and Crafts Fair is Udaipur’s largest cultural marketplace, held annually from December 21 to 31 at the Shilpgram crafts village (7km west of the city centre). Over 400 artisans from across India set up stalls selling handcrafted textiles, pottery, jewellery, leatherwork, and folk art directly to visitors at fair-trade prices. The 10-day festival also features daily cultural performances: Rajasthani folk dances, puppet shows, camel performances, and concerts by Indian classical and folk musicians. A food court serves regional cuisines from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab. Entry costs Rs 50 for Indian visitors and Rs 100 for foreign nationals. The fair runs from 11am to 9pm daily. The opening weekend (December 21-23) draws the largest crowds, while the final days around Christmas see peak attendance. An auto-rickshaw from the old city costs Rs 200-250.
World Living Heritage Festival (Dates Vary)
Organized by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, this relatively new festival (launched 2012) brings together scholars, artists, and performers to celebrate living cultural heritage. The program includes heritage walks through the old city, lectures on Mewar history and architecture, classical music concerts at the City Palace, and craft demonstrations. Dates vary but typically fall in February or March. Check the City Palace Museum’s website or social media for the current year’s dates. Events are often free but require advance registration.
