Goa is a beautiful state that’s home to gorgeous beaches, lush jungles, and stunning attractions. Goa is also famous for its abundant festivals, both religious and otherwise. A trip to this area wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the many festivals in Goa. This guide will walk you through some of the top festivals and Goa music festivals in the region, and help you decide which events will be worth your consideration.
Must-know details about attending Goa festivals
Festivals are a time of celebration, and Goa loves to indulge. There are many types of festivals in Goa, some religious, some centered around music, and others. As Goa spent many years as a Portuguese colony, some festivals in the area are Catholic but are generally celebrated by all, regardless of their faith. There are also plenty of Hindu celebrations to be had, so visitors will have a vast array of options to enjoy. With so many festivals happening in Goa, you’ll need to choose wisely. Here are a few of the top festivals in Goa to get you started with your adventures.
Lairai Devi Jatra, Shirgao
Every year, the village of Shirgao is host to Lairai Devi Jatra (also known as Lairai dhondachi zatra), a special festival that celebrates the goddess Lairai devi, who is said to have arrived by elephant to Goa hundreds of years ago, accompanied by her seven siblings. During this festival, an estimated 20,000 visitors descend on the village from all across Goa and walk over hot coals to show their devotion to the goddess Lairai. Many participants will also engage in ritual fasting and bathing to prepare themselves properly for this event. Whether you’re in the area to participate or just to watch, this festival is sure to make an impression on intrepid visitors.
This festival happens around May or April of each year in Shirgao, so travelers are advised to check with current event calendars in Goa before they plan their trip to this special festival.
Sao Joao Festival, Siolim
Goa still has many colonial ties, and the Sao Joao Festival in Siolim is a reminder of that history. This popular Catholic festival celebrates Saint John the Baptist, and during this festival, participants will jump into streams, ponds, and wells, which is said to signify the happiness that Saint John felt at the birth of Jesus Christ. Some villagers may also offer sweets and fruits as a part of the festivities. Though this is a Christian festival, individuals of other faiths who live in the area often take part in the festivities, as it’s a joyful celebration, irrespective of one’s individual beliefs. If you’re in the area during this time, taking part in this festival is a must.
This festival is held every year at the beginning of the monsoon season in Siolim on June 24th.
Touxeachem Festival
Another Catholic celebration in Goa is the Touxeachem Festival. This unique festival sees celebrants offering cucumbers (touxeachem means cucumber in the local language of Konkani) to Saint Anne. This festival is held at Santana Church in Talaulim where childless couples present gifts to St. Anne in the hope that she will help them conceive. Participants place one cucumber at the feet of a St. Anne statue, and the other is left touching a sacred image. Eventually, the donated cucumbers are shared back to the community, either served fresh or as part of tasty salads.
While this is a Catholic festival, many individuals across diverse faiths will take part in it in the hopes that they’ll be blessed in exchange for the gifts they give St. Anne. At the festival, gifts other than cucumbers are given, including bangles for individuals who hope for a girl child, newlywed bangles from individuals who want a happy marriage, metal or wooden spoons from bachelors who wish to marry, and lentils or dal from single women who wish to marry.
Touxeachem Festival will take place on July 31, 2024, in Talaulim at Santana Church.
Bonderam Festival
Catch a ferry to the island of Divar and get ready to celebrate the Bonderam Festival. During the Portuguese colonization of Goa, there were frequent disputes between locals and the Portuguese on Divar. Portuguese settlers would put up colorful flags in areas that weren’t controlled by the locals, and the locals would furiously tear them down, which was the start of the protests in the area.
Flags still take center stage in this festival today, along with music, competitions for the best dressed, and a float parade. Often, popular Goan artists will perform music at this celebration, and the crowds will engage in mock battles and processions throughout the day.
Bonderam Festival takes place on the island of Divar, and this year will be held on August 24, 2024.
Konsachem Festival
Konsachem Festival dates back to the 15th century and is a harvest festival where the first sheathes of rice are blessed after being cut. While this celebration is associated with Saint Bartholomew, one of Jesus Christ’s 12 apostles who is said to have visited India in 55AD, this festival is shared by Christians, Hindus, and others, so you’ll be right at home if you decide to visit during this celebratory time. Generally, the celebrations for this festival include a procession, the ritual cutting of grain, and a thanksgiving mass. Some will make offerings to St. Bartholomew, as well.
Konsachem Festival is celebrated in August, and while it’s primarily celebrated in Raia, it’s also observed in other parts of the country.
Patoienchem Festival
The rice harvest is an important time of year in Goa, which is why there are plenty of festivals that mark this special occasion. Patoienchem Festival is one of these festivals and is unique in that it travels to different locations annually. The festival showcases an important local dish, called patoli or patoie. Patoli is a sweet dish made from rice flour that’s stuffed with coconut before being wrapped in a banana leaf. During this festival, there are fun workshops that are held, along with live music presentations, folk dancing, and more.
Patoienchem Festival takes in the beginning of September, annually, and is a traveling festival. Visitors should confirm this festival’s location before their trip to ensure they don’t miss out on the fun.
Matiechem Festival
Matiechem Festival is a festival that celebrates the soil of Goa, and it’s held in Pilerne. Goa is a lush, ecologically rich area, and this festival is a celebration of the land that provides Goans with delicious foods, spices, and resources. This community festival is also a time when local potters can show off their earthenware creations, and along with this celebration of local artisans, great feasts are held. Locals also set up food stalls and exhibition stalls, and performances are given by local choir groups. This is a great festival to attend if you’re hoping to get an appreciation for Goan culture, and is perfect for travelers who are looking for an authentic, local festival to attend.
Matiechem Festival is held annually in October and takes place in Pilerne.
Goa Carnival
This is the big one. Goa Carnival is a huge festival that serves as a major tourist attraction for the state. Goa Carnival has Catholic roots, and it experienced a resurgence in the 1960s thanks to Timoteo Fernandes, a Goan musician who modeled Goa Carnival after the famous Rio Carnival in Brazil. Now, Goa Carnival endures as a celebration that features huge parades with floats, bands, dances, and more.
Goa Carnival takes place during the weeks that lead up to Lent (generally, between February and March) and takes place in various cities across the state. Visitors to the area will want to confirm the proper dates and cities where the Goa Carnival will be celebrated before departure to avoid missing out.
Shigmo Festival
Shigmo Festival is a major Hindu festival in Goa and is observed in the spring every year. This festival is celebrated by the Konkani Hindu community in Goa, and while it’s a religious event, it’s also marked by those who are outside of that religious community. Friends and families come together for a time of celebration. Some attendees may visit temples, and others will engage in various cultural and religious activities during these 15 days. Concerts, dance performances, sports competitions, and sharing special foods are just some of the ways that this festival is celebrated.
Shigmo Festival takes place between March and April every year and is observed throughout the state. Visitors may wish to see what specific events individual cities are holding before departure, and confirm event dates, to ensure that they don’t miss out on any of the events.
The Grape Escapade
If wine is your passion, then you cannot miss the Grape Escapade in Goa. This celebration is the largest wine festival in India and is a time when India’s wine is showcased to attendees from across the world. This event also highlights haute cuisine from the area, exciting entertainment, and grape stomping. Wine lovers and others should check out this exciting festival and indulge in the lushness of Goan culture while in the area.
This festival generally takes place in January in Panjim, though visitors should confirm dates and times while planning their trip to the area.
Feast of St. Francis Xavier
The Patron Saint of Goa is Saint Francis Xavier, who arrived in Goa in the 14th century along with the Portuguese settlers, and this festival is held in his honor. This is the largest Christian celebration in Goa and is observed annually in Old Goa. During the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, many people from across the region and beyond will make a pilgrimage to Old Goa to observe this feast. While the festival is being celebrated, the area hosts a fair which features vendors that sell food, toys, clothes, and more. Any visitors to the feast won’t want to miss seeing the body of the saint, which is kept in a silver casket at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, in Old Goa.
The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated annually on December 3rd in Old Goa.
Goa Food and Cultural Festival
The Goa Food and Cultural Festival is one for the foodies. This tasty treat of a festival takes place annually in Panaji, Goa, and showcases the area’s vibrant cuisine. This food and cultural festival is organized by the Department of Tourism in Goa and helps to showcase not only the local cuisine, but the area’s rich history and cultural diversity. Spices are famously grown in Goa, so this is a great opportunity for visitors to sample some of the local offerings. Along with culinary adventures, this festival also features thrilling performances, traditional music, dance, and more, which makes this a festival that you’ll want to add to your itinerary.
The Goa Food and Cultural Festival is held annually in Panaji, between February and March of each year. Travelers should check local Goan event calendars and confirm the festival dates before departure so that they don’t miss this exceptional foodie festival.
Sunburn Festival
If you’re hoping to attend some Goa music festivals, then Sunburn Festival should be on your list. This three-day festival is Asia’s largest and takes place in Vagator. Fans of electronic dance music will be thrilled with this annual festival, which pulls in top headliners from around the world. This exciting festival helps to promote music tourism in India and is also home to a thriving marketplace where plenty of goods are sold. And there’s plenty more to enjoy about Sunburn Festival, as there are karaoke sessions for attendees, music screenings, camping, after-parties, and more. Be sure to pick up tickets for the three-day event ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Sunburn Festival is generally held during the last week of December and takes place in Vagator.
Festivals are just the start of the fun that visitors will have in Goa. So, choose your favorite events, pack your bags, and get ready to have an adventure you’ll never forget when you visit Goa.
