Whether you're visiting family, exploring India for the first time, or revisiting your heritage, planning your trip around one of these iconic Indian festivals will make your experience unforgettable.

1. Diwali – The Festival of Lights

When: October–November (based on Hindu lunar calendar)
Best Cities to Visit: Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. Homes are decorated with oil lamps (diyas), colorful rangoli, and fairy lights. Fireworks light up the sky, and the air smells of sweets and incense.

• Experience Highlights:
   
  • Bursting crackers with locals
     
  • Enjoying delicacies like gulab jamun and kaju katli
     
  • Shopping in Diwali markets for traditional wear and gifts
     
  • Witnessing temple rituals and Lakshmi puja
     

Travel Tip: Book your chicago to chennai flight at least 2–3 months in advance to avoid holiday surcharges.

2. Holi – The Festival of Colors

When: March (Full Moon day of Phalguna month)
Best Cities to Visit: Mathura, Vrindavan, Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi

Holi is India’s most vibrant festival, marking the arrival of spring. Celebrated with colors, music, dance, and sweets, Holi is a sensory explosion that brings people together regardless of age, caste, or religion.

• Experience Highlights:
   
  • Playing with dry and wet colors
     
  • Drinking thandai and trying festive snacks like gujiya
     
  • Holika Dahan (bonfire) the night before Holi
     
  • Cultural performances and live dhol beats
     

Pro Tip: Wear old clothes and oil your hair/skin before joining the color festivities!

3. Durga Puja – The Grandeur of Bengal

When: September–October
Best Cities to Visit: Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru

Durga Puja honors the goddess Durga’s victory over evil and is the main festival of West Bengal. It’s a grand, artistic, and deeply spiritual affair, especially in Kolkata, where streets are lit up with massive themed pandals (temporary shrines), idol processions, music, and cultural programs.

• Experience Highlights:
   
  • Pandal-hopping in Kolkata
     
  • Traditional dance (Dhunuchi Naach)
     
  • Feasting on Bengali food like bhog, fish curry, and sweets
     
  • Sindoor Khela (vermilion celebration among women)
     

Insider Tip: Visit during Saptami to Dashami (last 4 days) for peak celebrations.

4. Ganesh Chaturthi – Welcoming the Elephant God

When: August–September
Best Cities to Visit: Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad

Celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, Ganesh Chaturthi is especially vibrant in Maharashtra. Huge statues of Ganesha are worshipped in homes and public spaces. After 10 days of prayer and festivities, the idols are immersed in water during Visarjan.

• Experience Highlights:
   
  • Visiting artistic pandals (especially in Mumbai’s Lalbaug)
     
  • Witnessing Ganesh Visarjan processions with music and chants
     
  • Sampling Modaks, Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet
     

Note: Avoid major traffic delays in Mumbai during Visarjan day.

5. Navratri – The Nine Nights of Dance & Devotion

When: September–October (before Dussehra)
Best Cities to Visit: Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mumbai

Navratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to the goddess Durga and is known for Garba and Dandiya Raas—colorful group dances that continue through the night. Gujarat is the heart of this celebration, but it’s equally exciting in other metro cities.

• Experience Highlights:
   
  • Dressed in traditional attire and joining Garba nights
     
  • Watching local folk performances and processions
     
  • Experiencing community feasts and fasting rituals
     

Tip: Pack traditional clothes like chaniya cholis or kurtas if you plan to join the dance.

6. Eid-ul-Fitr – The Festival of Breaking the Fast

When: Depends on the Islamic lunar calendar (after Ramadan)
Best Cities to Visit: Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad

Marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid is a festival of gratitude, prayers, and feasting. It’s celebrated by Muslims across India and is a great time to witness India’s pluralistic culture.

• Experience Highlights:
   
  • Visiting local markets like Chandni Chowk for festive vibes
     
  • Tasting traditional dishes like sheer khurma, biryani, and seviyan
     
  • Seeing morning Eid prayers at grand mosques like Jama Masjid
     

Good to Know: Respect local customs; modest attire is appreciated in mosque areas.

 

✈️ Best Time to Visit India from Chicago for Festivals

 

✅ Travel Tips for Festival Visitors from Chicago

1. Book Flights Early: Use trusted platforms like IndianEagle to find the best deals on Chicago to India flights.
    
2. Vaccinations & Health: Keep vaccinations updated and carry medication, especially during crowded events.
    
3. Stay Hydrated: Festivals often happen outdoors—carry water and wear sunblock.
    
4. Dress Accordingly: Respect local customs—modest attire is best for religious events.
    
5. Learn a Few Local Phrases: A few words in Hindi, Tamil, or Bengali can go a long way!
    

 

Final Thoughts

Festivals are the heartbeat of Indian culture. Whether it’s the glowing lamps of Diwali, the joyful chaos of Holi, or the spiritual depth of Kumbh Mela, these events offer travelers a deeply immersive cultural experience unlike any other.

If you're flying from Chicago and want to witness India at its most vibrant, plan your trip around one of these festivals—and don’t forget your camera, an open heart, and an appetite for celebration.