Fairs & Festivals
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the biggest festivals of Goa, and it is celebrated lavishly. Families travel across the country and sometimes the globe to be together at this time of year. The preparations for this festival begin months in advance. The festival begins at home with the purchase and ceremonial installation of a clay murti (statue). Families decorate a room by putting a matoli (a wooden canopy) adorned with flowers, seasonal vegetables and fruits before God is brought home and placed on an altar. The room is brightly lit with fairy lights adding to the cheerful hues of the decorations.
Shigmo Festival
This festival is celebrated during springtime and the celebrations extend to five days. People also call this festival as Shigmotsav and all its festivities come along with the festival of Holi. During this festival, honor is paid to various warriors to return to their homes after defeating the invaders. At this time, people play with colors. People hold umbrellas as well as small sticks and enjoy dancing.Colours and soul soothing madness all around Shigmo festival is a euphoria of festival tourism in Goa. It would not be wrong to say that it is a festival of vibrant colours. It is celebrated to welcome the delightful spring season.
Sao Joao Festival
This is a festival that is celebrated with much cheer on 24th of June every year since during this day the catholic community pays honor to St. John the Baptist. The festivities involve a number of folk dances that are referred as ‘Sangodds’. The people of the village, mainly the young people make it a point to wear leaves and fruit laden crowns. People also present fruits to their in-laws as well as friends.
It is one of the most popular catholic festivals celebrated in Goa. Celebrated every year on June 24th, this festival is a tribute to St John the Baptist.
Goa Sunburn Festival
Goa Sunburn Festival is Asia’s largest three days Dance and Music festival of Goa. If you want to dance to the rhythms of the most energetic and soulful beats and soothe your ears to the most delightful music while enjoying the best food then Goa’s Sunburn Festival is a must not miss festival. Every December tourists from all over the world come to enjoy the most melodious music of renowned International and Indian artists.
This festival is celebrated to promote music tourism in India. Moreover, the marketplaces, workshops, Karaoke sessions, and movie screenings and flea markets – you name it and you will get it.
Goa Food and Cultural Festival
To tickle your taste buds Goa brings you the most extravagant Goa Food and Cultural Festival. It is a paradise for food lovers. Celebrated in Panjim the Goa Food and Cultural festival is one of a kind to cherish forever in your memories. Unlimited lip-smacking food from homemakers, high profile chefs, fun activities, musical bands like Shine On, Uzo, Masala Coffee, etc., dance performances and fashion shows etc. are sure to please your heart.
Don’t forget to take part in cooking competitions if you have amazing cooking skills. Goa Food and Cultural festival depicts the vibrant culture and local life of Goa.
Goa Carnival
Goa carnival is one of a kind, this kind of festival is not found anywhere else in India. This festival is 500 years old. It’s a very important festival for Catholics as it’s a Pre-Lenten festival which means after this fest the Catholics would maintain abstinence from meat for 40 days prior to Easter.
Colourful costumes, soulful music, extravagant dances, colourful possessions and the love and enthusiasm of people around will make your day the most memorable one. Goa Carnival is the most popular festival of Goa. The colourful streets and floats resonate the joy of people in the carnival. If you want to experience a real goan vibe then make sure you don’t miss this carnival.
Diwali
Diwali is also a significant festival of Goa. On this day, it is believed that lord Krishna killed the demon named as Narkasur ruling Goa, through his ‘sudarshan chakra’. Therefore, the festival is celebrated with the burning of the effigies of Narkasur that is mainly done at dawn. Hindus make it a point to light up their houses and to wear new clothes.As per sacred texts, according to Skanda Purana, the goddess Shakti observed 21 days of austerity starting from ashtami of shukla paksha (waxing period of moon) to get half part of the body of Lord Shiva. This vrata is known as kedhara vrata. Deepavali is the completion day of this austerity.
Bonderam Festival
Bonderam a centuries old festival, celebrated on the beautiful island of Divar in Goa epitomizes the essence of the rich cultural heritage using colorful parades of floats, street dancing and music festival. The festival has evolved from our ancestors, the Kadamba dynasty to the Portuguese. Essentially, its the remembrance of how border disputes during the harvesting months were solved using flags. The festival happens in the month of August during the monsoons and before Ganesha Chaturthi. This year the festival will be celebrated on 20th August 2022. There are mainly 3 parts to the festival 1. Pasoi(Village walk and Traditional Food)2.00 PM to 5.00 PM.