Where 2019 passed in a blink, 2020 is coming with a lot of fun and exciting festivals all over the country. From the coolest music festivals to intellectual literature fests to some quirky and eccentric traditional festivals, there is something to cater to everyone.
We have compiled a list of all the events happening in 2020 which has become a staple now. Mark your calendars!
1. New Delhi World Book Fair
To all the bibliophile, New Delhi World Book fair is going to be in our city soon. From periodicals to educational to bestsellers, you name it, and you get it. The NDWBF is the largest book fair in India with over 12,000 publishers and 90,000 titles every year in more than 20 languages. The event takes place every year in Pragati Maidan.
When: 4 to 12 January
Where: Pragati Maidan
Timings: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
2. Jaipur Literature Festival 2020
This is one of the most significant literature festivals attended by thousands from all over the world. Though the festival started with just hand-count writers and only 100 attendees, today it has grown more prominent than ever. Some famous authors and personalities who have attended JLF are Margaret Atwood, Oprah Winfrey, Gulzar, Amartya Sen, to name a few.
When: 23 to 27 January, 2020
Where: Diggi Palace, Jaipur
Timings: 6 am – 9 pm
3. Surajkund International Crafts Mela
If you are a lover of handlooms and handicrafts, Surajkund Mela is the fest to be in. Every year more than a million tourists and locals visit the Mela. Both large and small scale sellers exhibit their products here. This is one of the largest craft exhibitions in the world. Last year, there were nearly 13 lakh visitors present here, amongst which one lakh were foreigners.
When: 1st – 17th February 2020
Where: Surajkund, Faridabad
Timings: 10:30 am – 8:30 pm
Entry Fee: Weekdays Rs. 120 per person and Weekends Rs 180 per person
4. Basanta Utsav
Shantiniketan, a small town in the eastern part of the country, which is also home to Rabindranath Tagore, unconventionally celebrates Holi. People here do not play Holi with metal colours. Instead, they use flower petals and gulal. Students of Shantiniketan also celebrates the occasion by performing in Rabindra sangeet.
When: 10 March 2020
Where: Shantiniketan, West Bengal
5. Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival
An independent film festival to mark the birth anniversary of Dhundiraj Govind Saheb Phalke, the father of Indian Cinema. The film festival is open to all budding filmmakers to showcase their films. Many film personalities and critics visit this festival as well.
When: 30 April 2020
Where: Delhi
6. International Mango Festival
It is peak summer, and the market is awash with varieties of Mangoes. Since 1987, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation organize mango festival in Delhi every year. In the fest, more than 50 mangoes get showcased from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat etc. People from across the nation, also foreigners take part in the fest.
When: July 2020 (dates to be declared yet)
Where: Delhi
7. Ziro Music Festival
If you are a misty mountain lover and up for some soul searching music, Ziro Music Festival 2020 should be definitely on your travel list. The fest takes place 5,500 feet above the sea level in Zero Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
When: September
Where: Zero Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
These are the most anticipated festivals which are to take place in 2020. We will update the list as and when the date of other festivals will be announced.
Some of the festivals listed above might get delayed or cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Confirm with the event organisers for further clarifications.
