You have seen the forts. You have heard about the deserts. But Rajasthan? It is way more than just stone walls and sand. If you want to see its soul — experience something different, something unique — you must visit during the fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. The festive season in Rajasthan is when the place comes alive — with color, chaos, music, and people everywhere. There is something magical, something wild about it. You are no longer just a tourist. You are part of it.
Almost every month, a town or city hosts a celebration of some kind. Camels in costume. Men with giant moustaches. Women singing folk songs. Fireworks, dances, food, more food. And stories — so many stories. You do not even need to understand it all. Just being there is enough. So, here is a quick list of the top 11 fairs and festivals of Rajasthan you should miss. Go to one, two, or all—you will understand what Rajasthan feels like.
1. Pushkar Fair, Pushkar
This one is crazy. Not in a festive sense — more like, where did all these camels come from? Every November, Pushkar, a quiet little town most of the year, turns into a noisy, colorful fairground.
Camels are the stars here. People dress them up, race them, parade them, and even enter them in beauty contests. It is bizarre in the best way. You will see folk dancers, musicians, street performers, and even a moustache competition (yes, that is real). It is dusty, crowded, a little chaotic — and completely unforgettable.
There is also a spiritual side. Pilgrims take a dip in the sacred lake. Locals visit temples. You will hear bells ringing while drums play nearby. And do not miss the evening aartis by the ghats. It is peaceful, even with all the noise around.
The best part? You do not have a special plan. Simply visit the Pushkar Fair, walk around, eat something fried, and take it all in.
2. Desert Festival, Jaisalmer
Now this one — it is straight out of a movie. Jaisalmer is already a golden dream, with its yellow stone fort and sweeping dunes. But during the Desert Festival in February? It goes next level.
The whole city turns festive. Locals wear traditional clothes, bands play loud music, and camels (again!) are everywhere. There are dances, puppet shows, turban-tying competitions, and even a Mr. Desert pageant. Yes. Real thing.
And then there is the sand. So much sand. Most of the performances happen in the dunes outside the city. At sunset, with music playing and people cheering, the desert does not feel a barren terrain — it is alive.
If you are the kind of traveler who wants to experience something totally different, this festival is for you. It is loud, strange, fun, and oddly beautiful.
3. Camel Festival, Bikaner
You would think one camel festival is enough, right? But Rajasthan does not believe in “enough.” Bikaner hosts its own camel festival every January, and honestly, it is just as fun — maybe more focused.
The festival begins with a parade. Camels adorned with jewelry and vibrant fabric walk proudly through the city. Then the competitions begin: camel races, camel dances, even camel beauty shows. It is peculiarly graceful and slightly hilarious at the same time.
Local musicians and folk artists perform in between. You will also find food stalls with everything from spicy dal baati to sweet malpuas. The energy is lighter than Pushkar — fewer tourists, more locals. But that’s part of the charm.
Oh, and do not forget to check out the backdrop: Junagarh Fort. It adds that royal Rajasthani touch to the whole scene.
4. Gangaur Festival, Jaipur & Udaipur
Celebrated by women, especially newlyweds, the Gangaur festival is unique—there is no noise, no craziness. It is something like a personal event—elegant and subtly beautiful. Women in Jaipur and Udaipur celebrate this festival in a traditional and auspicious manner—to honor the Goddess Gauri and her devotion to Lord Shiva. They wear their finest clothes — green bangles, bright sarees, golden jewelry — and carry decorated clay idols of the goddess in a procession. There’s music, singing, and a lot of blessings being passed around.
In Jaipur, the royal family also participates in the celebrations. That adds some serious glamour. Meanwhile, Udaipur’s lakes and old streets give it a dreamy, old-world vibe.
As a tourist, you will not understand every ritual — and that is okay. Just watching the colors, the devotion, the slow rhythm of the procession — it sticks with you.
5. Mewar Festival, Udaipur
If you are thinking of visiting Udaipur around March or April, a grand treat is waiting there. It is the Mewar Festival, one of the most significant fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. It is the spring season. You feel like spring is awakening to a world — full of color, music, and movement. Although this festival is associated with Gangaur Festival, it is a bit more public, more celebratory.
Local folks celebrate the Mewar Festival to welcome the arrival of spring. And you can genuinely feel that fresh energy in the air. Women carry beautifully dressed idols of Gauri down to the lake. There is a big procession through the city that ends with the idols being floated in boats on Lake Pichola. It is peaceful, but still grand.
And then the party starts. Folk music, dancing, street performers, art stalls — the whole old city turns into a fair. And the backdrops of elegant palaces and lovely lakes? They just add to the magic. The festival is not as famous as others, but it is one of the most beautiful ones. Especially, if you enjoy culture without the chaos.
6. Kite Festival (Makar Sankranti), Jaipur
And this one is a different thing altogether—this is all about the sky, high in the sky. Every year on January 14th, Makar Sankranti, the Pink City of Jaipur turns into a giant rooftop celebration. Everyone, seriously everyone, is on their terrace. They fly kites high in the sky, shout loudly, laugh out loud, enjoy sweets, and battle in the sky.
Look in the sky on the day. The skies are totally packed with colorful paper kites. Some are simple, others are huge and fancy. The goal? Cut your neighbor’s kite line. And when you do? You yell “wo kaataaa!” like you just scored a goal in a football match.
Kite festival is not organized by any authority or city group — it just happens. Every rooftop becomes a mini party. People eat gajak, til laddoos, and drink chai between flights. Tourists are always welcome to join in. Just ask anyone with a spare kite — chances are, they will hand you one and show you how it is done.
7. Teej Festival, Jaipur & Udaipur
Monsoon in Rajasthan is not just about rain. It is also time for Teej — a festival that brings women together in celebration, especially married women who pray for the well-being of their husbands.
In Jaipur, the Teej procession is something else. Streets fill with dancers, elephants, horses, and a royal-style chariot carrying the idol of the Goddess Teej. Locals and tourists line up to see the parade. There’s music everywhere and the smell of wet earth and sweets in the air.
In homes and courtyards, women swing from trees, sing old songs, and apply henna on their hands. The vibe is joyful but relaxed. It is not loud — it is lovely. In Udaipur, you will find a more laid-back version, but rich in tradition.
Teej is not made for tourists. It is for the people. And that is why it feels real.
8. Chittorgarh Festival, Chittorgarh
Usually held in February, the Chittorgarh Festival is just another thing, a unique festival. The festival is all about pride and heritage, and also about remembering heroic stories of Rajput warriors. The town of Chittorgarh is renowned for its majestic and dramatic history. And there is no better time to experience the story of this heritage monument than during the festival. During this festival, history comes alive. Folk performances, traditional dance shows, sword-fighting displays, storytelling sessions…there are many things that narrate the saga of brave queens and kings.
The Chittorgarh Festival is neither commercial nor crowded, but it is rooted deep in history. Local artists showcase crafts, and you will find some great food, too. At night, there is a light and sound show at the fort that will leave you with goosebumps.
It is the kind of event that makes you feel connected to the place. If you like history or even just a quieter kind of festival, this one is a hidden gem.
9. Marwar Festival, Jodhpur
If you are visiting Jodhpur in October, the Marwar Festival is something to look out for. It is held to honor the heroes and folk legends of Rajasthan’s past. But do not expect a boring history lesson — this one is full of dance, music, and color.
The main events take place around the majestic Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Folk artists from all over the Marwar region perform songs and dances that tell stories of love, war, and royal life. There are puppet shows, camel rides, turban-tying contests, and even horseback riding displays.
What is nice about this festival is how rooted it feels. There’s pride in every performance. Locals come dressed in full traditional attire, and the whole city joins in the celebration. For tourists, it is a great way to experience the cultural richness of Marwar — and the views from the fort during sunset are not bad either.
10. Nagaur Cattle Fair, Nagaur
The Nagaur Cattle Fair does not sound glamorous at first — but do not let the name fool you. It is one of the biggest fairs in Rajasthan and a fascinating experience, especially if you want to see a slice of authentic rural life.
Held between January and February in the town of Nagaur, the fair brings in thousands of camels, bulls, and horses for trade. It is a huge market — but also a celebration. Animals are decorated with beads and bells; their owners dressed in colorful turbans. There’s music, dancing, and lots of bargaining going on.
Apart from the cattle, there are games, local sports like tug-of-war and bullock races, and performances by folk musicians. The fairground is filled with food stalls and artisans selling handmade goods. It is dusty, loud, and real. You will not find a more down-to-earth experience of rural Rajasthan anywhere else.
11. Elephant Festival, Jaipur
The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is unlike anything else you will see in Rajasthan. Held every year around Holi (usually in March), this one-day event is all about elephants — and not just regular ones. These elephants are pampered, painted, dressed in silk, and adorned with jewelry. Yes, really.
The festival begins with a grand procession at Jaipur’s Polo Ground. Elephants walk by with their mahouts (keepers), often dressed to match. Some of the elephants even take part in tug-of-war with humans, races, and sometimes even elephant polo matches. It is equal parts regal and quirky.
There’s also folk music, dancing, and traditional Rajasthani performances going on. The colors are incredible — Holi powders, elephant decorations, and people in bright turbans and sarees. It is a photographer’s dream, honestly.
For tourists, this festival offers something truly out of the ordinary. It is a bit shorter than others, but it is packed with energy. If you are around Jaipur during Holi, this is one event you do not want to miss.
Concluding Words: Rajasthan Fairs and Festivals
The royal state of Rajasthan does not undertake any endeavor in a half-hearted manner. Especially, it is true when it comes to celebrating fairs and festivals. You visit the grand Pushkar Fair. You want to participate in the colorful chaos of the Elephant Festival in Jaipur. Any fair. Any festival. Each event in Rajasthan is a grand celebration — of life, of tradition, and of community. You are not just watching; you are participating.
If you have Rajasthan tours in mind, time your visit around one or more of these fairs and festivals. Trust me. You will return home with memories, stories, and maybe some sand in your shoes (just joking). And finally, Rajasthan is not just a place you see; it is a place you feel.