From Sunburn to Carnival, These Goa Festivals Are Worth Travelling For

When it comes to a magical setting for a festival, there's really no better place than Goa. Located in the southwest of India, the sprawling coastline is dotted with over 30 dreamy beaches. If that's not enough of a draw, the combination of bohemian vibes, energetic nightlife, and Indo-Portuguese cuisine make it a tempting destination. But throw an epic festival into the mix, and it's nearly impossible to resist gorgeous Goa.

Goa has long been a hub for festival activity. The most famous festival in Goa is easily Sunburn Festival, one of the top electronic dance music (EDM) festivals in the world. But if dancing and partying the night away at Sunburn isn't on your bucket list, you'll find quite a few festivals in Goa that will inspire you to dust off your passport and start packing. 

From the parades and parties of Carnival to the culinary curiosities of the Food and Cultural Festival, these top Goa festivals might just inspire your next big trip.

Whether you’re a music fan or just love to party, Goa’s annual Sunburn Festival offers a tantalising reason to whip out your credit card and buy a plane ticket to India. This is the largest music festival in Asia, and it always draws an impressive lineup of international DJs well worth travelling to see. Think David Guetta, Tiesto, Martin Garrix, and Swedish House Mafia, to name a few.

Located on the sandy shores of Vagator Beach in Goa, this EDM extravaganza got its start as a relatively small event in 2007. Since then, it's rapidly evolved into one of the world’s top ten EDM festivals.

Over 120 artists from around the world gather each December to perform across multiple stages during this high-octane three-day festival. With the combination of the world’s best DJs and one of India’s most beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder why upwards of 350,000 people flock to Goa every December to attend Sunburn Festival.

Things get very busy in Goa during Sunburn and hotel rooms book up fast. To make things easy, it’s best to reserve your hotel room as soon as you buy your Sunburn Festival tickets. Choosing a hotel room in Vagator Beach will put you close to all the action. For a solid four-star option, ibis Styles Goa Vagator has modern rooms, an outdoor pool and pool bar, and 24/7 room service to order goodies at all hours.

Do note that while Sunburn Festival is usually held in Goa, it has taken place in Pune and Mumbai in years past. It’s best to monitor the official website and social media accounts to see when and where the next festival will be held.

Did you know that Old Goa was the capital of Portuguese India from 1510 to 1835? This is the reason why Goa is home to so many colonial-era forts and churches. Another one of the lasting influences of India’s former colonisers is the pervasiveness of Catholicism in modern-day Goa. So, unlike other parts of India, Easter and Carnival are a huge deal in Goa.

Just like anywhere else in the world, Carnival celebrations in Goa are always ostentatious affairs. The holiday occurs in either February or March and runs for four days, from “Fat Saturday” to “Fat Tuesday." You can expect locals to be in full celebration mode as they prepare for 40 days of fasting, prayer, and reflection during Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday.

The main event of Carnival in Goa takes place in Panjim. This spectacular float-filled parade is a feast for the senses with its elaborate costumes and masks, dance troupes, musicians, singers, and endless entertainment. This parade is always led by King Momo, who will inevitably declare “eat, drink, and be merry” to the revelrous crowd. This phrase is used to kick off the Carnival festivities in Goa.

In Goa, Carnival is basically one big street party where dancing with the locals is an absolute must. Parades and parties will be held in towns across Goa, including Margao, Mapusa, and Morjim. 

Art enthusiasts will definitely want to book a late-December trip to Goa to attend the Serendipity Arts Festival. This interdisciplinary art festival takes over the capital of Goa, Panjim, each year. From theatre, dance, and music to visual arts, photography, and culinary arts, this is a celebration of creativity and cultural exchange. 

The festival always invades venues across the city, where you can check out a variety of projects and art exhibitions, as well as interesting workshops and live performances. Each year offers something totally new and unique. 

As India's largest arts festival, expect things to be buzzing in Panjim during the Serendipity Arts Festival, which usually lasts for one week. While it's absolutely free to enter, you will need to register on the official website to obtain your Art Pass and sign up for various workshops and performances.

Held in Old Goa on December 3 each year, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier is one of the most unique religious holidays you can experience in Goa. This is the biggest Catholic festival in Goa, and it's well worth planning a trip to attend, if possible.  

St. Francis Xavier was a Spanish Jesuit missionary who arrived in Goa in 1542 and died on December 3, 1552. He is now hailed as the Patron Saint of Goa. You’ll even find his famously well-preserved relics housed in an ornate silver casket inside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica of Bom Jesus.

On the day of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, thousands of worshippers and tourists alike flock to the Basilica of Bom Jesus to pay homage to the patron saint. During this time, visitors can expect special masses, prayer services, a novena (nine days of prayers), and processions. There’s also a public fair outside of the Basilica of Bom Jesus with music, dancing, and plenty of food and shopping.

Check your calendar because every 10 years, his relics are carried in a procession from the Basilica of Bom Jesus to the nearby Sé Cathedral, where they are displayed for veneration for roughly one month. This event draws millions of visitors.

Are you a film fanatic? Then you'll want to plan your trip to Goa in November for the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI). This is a very unique event because it's the only one of its kind in South Asia and it plays a huge role in boosting filmmaking in the region. 

This annual film fest started in 1975 and has been gaining momentum ever since. Expect up to 50,000 film fans and professionals to gather in Goa during the nine-day festival. Attend IFFI and you can choose from hundreds of film screenings of both Indian and international films, as well as plenty of masterclasses, workshops, awards ceremonies, and so much more. It's basically a dream come true for cinephiles, and the fact that it's set in beautiful Goa is an added perk.

From tangy Goan fish curry to spicy pork vindaloo, Goa is a city for foodies and seafood addicts alike. If you love eating your way around a new city, then travelling to Goa for the Goa Food and Cultural Festival is a delicious idea. Held in Panjim in January or February each year, the Goa Food and Cultural Festival is a five-day celebration of Goa’s unique Indo-Portuguese culinary delights.

Expect over 50 food stalls helmed by chefs serving up local favourites, from ros omelettes, fish recheado, and chicken xacuti to prawn balchao, Goan crab masala, and bebinca (aka the "Queen of Goan Desserts"). It’s the perfect opportunity to get a taste of both the most popular local foods and the lesser-known dishes of Goa, many of which are still prepared according to age-old methods and recipes. Some stalls even offer cooking demonstrations and classes so you can learn the secrets behind your favourite foods.

But it’s not all about the food. This festival is popular amongst locals and visitors alike because there are all sorts of entertainment options, from traditional Goan music and dance performances to local art and cultural exhibitions, as well as a huge fireworks display on the final night.