Northeast India is celebrated for its rich culture and vibrant festivities. As the gateway to the region, Guwahati stands out for its lively events and celebrations. If you’re seeking a destination place to enjoy festivals, Guwahati is your go-to city. The city hosts an array of traditional festivities such as Bihu, Durga Puja, and Ras Mahotsav, alongside a variety of music festivals, food festivals, trade fairs, and book fairs. This blog provides all the essential information about the upcoming festivals in Guwahati, including dates and other details.
Guwahati Theatre Festival (Starting Date : September 27-29, 2024)
The Guwahati Theatre Festival is an annual 3-day long event held in Guwahati, Assam, India, at the ITA Machkhowa venue. The festival provides a platform for performing groups to showcase their productions to new audiences in Guwahati and the North East region. The inaugural festival took place on September 23, 2016. Since then, it has become a major attraction for theater enthusiasts in Guwahati.
In addition to showcasing the best of Indian theatre, the festival will feature a diverse collection of contemporary plays, each portraying rich shades of emotions, including themes of love, loss, resilience, and redemption. From gripping dramas to side-splitting comedies, the Guwahati Theatre Festival promises something for every theatre and art lover.
The 2024 edition of Guwahati Theatre Festival is going to be held on September 27 to September 29, 2024. For Tickets: please visit www.guwahatitheatrefestival.com or contact the organiser at 8486000342. Tickets are available at the venue: ITA Machkhowa.
Durga Puja (Starting Date: October 2, 2024)
Durga Puja in Guwahati is a vibrant and culturally significant festival that holds a special place in the hearts of the Assamese people. While Durga Puja or Navratri is widely celebrated across India, the way it is observed in Guwahati carries a distinct flavor, blending Assamese culture and traditions with the essence of this auspicious Hindu festival. During Durga Puja, the whole of Guwahati wears a festive colour with lights, pandals (celebration and worship stage) and food stalls. Never mind the traffic jam.
The Durga Puja 2024 celebration in Guwahati will take place from October 2 to October 12, 2024, . The last two days, October 11 (Maha Navami) and October 12 (Bijoya Dashami or Dussehra), are particularly significant for festival enthusiasts.
In Guwahati, more than 50 pandals celebrate the Durga Puja festival, but some stand out due to their impressive decorations and well-organized events. Notable celebrations include the Barowari Durga Puja at Uzanbazar and the Hari Sabha Durga Puja at Panbazar. Additionally, Ganeshguri and Maligaon area are known for hosting remarkable Durga Puja festivities.
Raas Mahotsav (Starting Date: November 25, 2024)
Raas Mahotsav or Ras Festival of Assam includes stories and narratives from Hindu religious texts (especially folklore related to Lord Krishna). Rass festival is a popular festival in Assam. It is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in all parts of Assam, especially the Raas Mahotsav of Majuli. Guwahati is no exception. Within Guwahati city, two favourite places to watch raas festival are Japorigog and Lokhra. However, the most eventful Raas Mahotsav is celebrated in Palashbari, a small town 22 km away from Guwahati city. This year Raas festival 2024 is going to be organised on 25 November, 2024 (on the day of Raas Purnima). The Raas festival in Guwahati is generally organised for 7 days or 14 days. In Palashbari, the festival is going to be organised for a month in 2024.
Asomi Saras Mela (Probable Date: December 27, 2024)
Just like Namami Brahmaputra Festival, Asomi Saras Mela is a govt initiated fair/mela, organised by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India. The SARAS (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) melas provide artisans with a platform for direct interaction with customers. It does away with middlemen. Saras Mela of Guwahati is organised to promote local self help groups who are engaged in various crafts like bamboo craft, traditional brass and bell metal industry, sericulture and various food-processing units spread across Assam. Asomi Saras Mela 2023 was held for a period of 14 days, from December 24, 2023 to January 6, 2023. The location of 2023 event: Ganesh Mandir Indoor Stadium Field, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam. Asomi Saras Mela 2024 is going to be arranged in similar fashion during last week of December or first week of January 2025. It will probably be held on Khanapara Field, in front of APSC office.
Free Bird Music Festival (Probable Date: December, 2024)
The inaugural edition of the highly anticipated music festival took place at Greenwood Resort, Khanapara, Guwahati, on the 9th and 10th of December, 2023. This event marked a significant milestone in the cultural calendar of Northeast India, attracting a diverse audience eager to witness top-class performances. Esteemed musicians from across India, including the indie-folk band When Chai Met Toast and the multi-talented Farhan Akhtar, graced the stage with their electrifying acts.
Tickets for the festival were priced to accommodate a wide range of attendees. General admission tickets started at INR 699, with VIP passes available for INR 899. For those seeking an enhanced experience, fanpit tickets were priced at INR 1,499 per day. To encourage attendance for the entire event, season passes were offered at INR 1,199 for general access and INR 1,599 for VIP access.
Assam Book Fair (Probable Date: December 20, 2024)
The Assam Book Fair, held at Chandmari Engineering Field, is one of the largest book fairs in Northeast India. Organized annually in December, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. In addition to books, the fair features music, literary discussions, and poets’ meetings. For literature enthusiasts, it is one of the most anticipated upcoming festivals in Guwahati. The 2023-24 Assam Book Fair was held from December 29 and run for 12 days in Guwahati. The dates of the book fair in 2024 is not confirmed yet.
Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (Probable Date: December, 2025)
The Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) is the largest film festival in Guwahati, serving as a dynamic platform for filmmakers and film enthusiasts from both the region and beyond to gather and celebrate various aspects of moviemaking. The 8th edition of BVFF took place in Guwahati from December 14 to 17, 2023. This year, the festival will be held during the same period in December 2024.
Bhogali Mela (January 2024)
Bhogali Mela is a prominent festival in Guwahati, often referred to as the “mother of all festivals” in the region. Unlike a single event, it is a series of celebrations that take place from mid-December to the end of January, coinciding with the popular Assamese harvest festival, Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu. These melas are held throughout Guwahati, featuring an abundance of food, bonfires, and music.
During Bhogali Mela, visitors can indulge in a variety of local cuisine and drinks. One of the most famous Bhogali Melas is organized by NEDFI Haat at Digholipukhuri, attracting many people for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural richness.
Kite Festival (Probable Date: January 2025)
The Kite Festival of Guwahati, much like the Brahmaputra Beach Festival, is a vibrant celebration held on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, in front of the Bir Lachit Statue at Lachit Ghat, MG Road. The festival features a variety of engaging activities, including a dance championship, a photography competition, an open-air art gallery, a traditional attire competition, a beach volleyball tournament, and roundtable discussions. Kite Festival 2024 took place from January 4 to January 8, and the 2025 festival is scheduled for the same dates.
Alcheringa (Probable Date: March 2025)
Alcheringa is an annual cultural extravaganza hosted by IIT Guwahati, recognized as the largest college cultural festival in North East India. Spanning three days and four nights, Alcheringa features over 80 events across various genres, including fashion, music, art, and sports. The festival includes panel discussions with renowned creators and informal activities such as hot air balloon rides, ATV rides, and paintball shooting.
One of the festival’s highlights is Rock-o-Phonix, one of India’s biggest rock band competitions. The upcoming Alcheringa festival in 2025 is set to take place in February. Alcheringa 2024 was held from March 7 to March 10, 2024.
Brahmaputra Beach Festival (Probable Date: March 2025 )
The Brahmaputra Beach Festival is held in Guwahati, the capital and largest city of Assam. Organized every January by the Assam Boat Racing and Rowing Association (ABRRA) and the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), this grand cultural event coincides with Assam’s harvest festival, Magh Bihu. The festival attracts numerous tourists from around the world with its vibrant cultural programs. Highlights include water rafting, canoeing, windsurfing, traditional games such as egg breaking and cock fighting, kite flying, and exhibitions of traditional crafts.
This open-air festival takes place on the ravine beaches of the mighty Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. Besides traditional craft exhibitions, the festival features numerous folk dance and song performances. It begins at daybreak on Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu and runs throughout the day.
In 2024, the festival was held from March 13 to March 18. Dates for the 2025 season are yet to be fixed. For the latest information, check the official website. The celebration is held near Lachit Ghat, opposite ITA Machkhowa, Guwahati.
Namami Brahmaputra Festival
The Namami Brahmaputra Festival, an official program organized by the Assam government, is a grand celebration of the Brahmaputra River and its rich history. This five-day event showcases the cultural and historical significance of the river through various activities and performances. It aims to bring together people from all walks of life to honor the Brahmaputra and highlight its importance to the region. The festival features traditional music, dance, art exhibitions, water sports, and cultural shows, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the diverse heritage of Assam. However, Namami Brahmaputra Festival 2025 is still not on the cards of Govt of Assam. If it happens at all, it will held on the month of March, 2025.
Rongali Festival (Probable Date: April 2025)
Rongali festival is dedicated to celebrating the popular Assamese festival- Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu.Though the theme of the festival is about Rongali Bihu, it is more than just a cultural festival. It serves as a comprehensive showcase of Assam’s rich cultural heritage, featuring music, dance, fashion, art, crafts, and colors. The aim of the festival is to highlight Assam as a prime destination for investments, tourism, and business
Rongali festival 2024 was held during 21 to 23 June, 2024. For Rongali Festival 2025, month of the festival is not decided yet. But it is going to be held on last week of April, coinciding with Bohag Bihu 2025.
Ambubachi Mela (Probable Date: June 2025)
The Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu religious festival held in the Kamakhya Temple of Guwahati. The festival attracts so many religious devotees during the period that it creates a stampede-like situation. Often termed the ‘Kumbh Mela of Northeast India’, the Ambubachi Mela is unique, exotic and full of ancient customs and rituals. The details of Ambubachi Mela 2024 have been covered in this blog (link here).
The Ambubachi Mela is dedicated to the Goddess Kamakhya, who is considered the embodiment of female power and fertility. The Ambubachi Mela is celebrated during the monsoon season, typically in the month of June. ‘Ambubachi Mela 2024’ was held from June 22, 2024 (Saturday) to June 26, 2024 (Wednesday). Ambubachi Mela 2025 is going to be held in the month of June 2025.
