Festivals in Karnataka: A Month-by-Month Calendar for 2026 and 2027

Karnataka festival calendar at a glance

Dates for 2026 below come from the state holiday list. For 2027, check the lunar calendar and official announcements because dates can shift.

January: Makara Sankranti

Makara Sankranti, on 14 January in 2026, marks the sun’s northward movement. Families exchange ellu-bella, a mix of sesame, jaggery, coconut and sugar candy, and in rural areas cattle are decorated and driven through a bonfire in a ritual called Kichchu Hayisuvudu. In Bengaluru the Republic Day flower show at Lalbagh draws large crowds, and Hampi and Badami are at their best weather.

February: Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri falls on 15 February 2026, and devotees stay awake overnight for Shiva worship. Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Dharmasthala and Nanjangud see heavy crowds. The Pattadakal Dance Festival, held in January or February in some years, is a performance festival set against the temples. Check current announcements before travelling.

March and April: Ugadi, Karaga and Vairamudi

Ugadi

The Kannada new year, 20 March in 2026, is celebrated with a mix of neem and jaggery called bevu-bella, which reflects the bitter and sweet of life. Houses are decorated with mango leaves and rangoli.

Bengaluru Karaga

The Karaga of the Dharmaraya Swamy temple in Bengaluru is a night-time procession in which a priest carries a decorated pot on his head through the old city. It is one of the oldest festivals in the city.

Vairamudi at Melukote

The Cheluvanarayana Swamy temple at Melukote in Mandya hosts the Vairamudi festival, in which the deity is adorned with a jewelled crown. It draws pilgrims from all over the state. See the Mandya guide.

May to August: monsoon festivals

The monsoon season is quieter for travel but busy for local celebrations. Ganesh Chaturthi, on 15 September in 2026, is enormous in Hubballi, Bengaluru and Mangaluru, with community pandals and immersion processions. Other events include village jatres, Varamahalakshmi worship and harvest-related rituals. Lalbagh’s Independence Day flower show in August is another popular event.

September and October: Mysuru Dasara

Dasara, Karnataka’s state festival, is the biggest celebration of the year. In 2026, the festival runs from 11 to 21 October, with Maha Navami on 20 October and Vijayadashami on 21 October. The finale is the Jamboo Savari procession with decorated elephants, and the Mysore Palace is illuminated every evening. See the full Mysore Dasara 2026 guide. Mangaluru holds a famous Dasara at the Kudroli Gokarnath temple, with a large display of tableaux and tiger dances.

October and November: Deepavali, Hasanamba and Rajyotsava

Deepavali in 2026 is observed on 8 and 9 November, with oil lamps, firecrackers and sweets. The Hasanamba temple in Hassan opens its doors only for a short period around Deepavali each year, and thousands queue to visit. Karnataka Rajyotsava on 1 November celebrates the formation of the state with flag hoisting and cultural events across the state.

November: Hampi Utsav and Kadlekai Parishe

The Hampi Utsav is a cultural festival with music, dance and processions held among the ruins, usually in November, although dates have changed in some years. See our Hampi 2-day itinerary. The Kadlekai Parishe in Bengaluru’s Basavanagudi is a groundnut fair on the last Monday of Karthika masa, with stalls filling the streets around the Bull Temple.

Kambala: buffalo racing in coastal Karnataka

Kambala is a traditional race in which a pair of buffaloes is driven through a muddy track by a runner. It is held in coastal districts between November and March, and more than a dozen events are held in a season. It is a rural sport with a growing tourist audience. For coast travel, see beaches in Karnataka.

Other cultural traditions worth timing a trip for

• Yakshagana: A night-long dance drama performed in coastal Karnataka, mostly from November to May.
• Kodava festivals: Kail Muhurtha, Puttari and Cauvery Sankramana in Kodagu. See the Kodagu guide.
• Mahamastakabhisheka: The 12-year ritual at Shravanabelagola. See the Shravanabelagola guide.
• Marikamba Jatre in Sirsi: A large fair held every few years.

Tips for visiting during festivals

• Book early. Hotels and transport sell out quickly.
• Expect crowds. Allow extra time for travel.
• Check dates close to travel. Lunar dates and local events can change.
• Respect customs. Dress modestly at religious events.
• Protect valuables. Keep wallets and phones secure in crowds.
• Plan alternatives. Some places close for processions.

Plan around the calendar

Match festivals with the weather: Dasara and Deepavali for autumn, Hampi Utsav for November, Sankranti and Shivaratri for winter. See our best time to visit Karnataka and famous temples in Karnataka guides.

Frequently asked questions