Festivals in India in December 2012

Bundi is a picturesque spot in the Hadoti region in Rajasthan. The Bundi Utsav brings it alive with the culture, folklore, traditions and craft of the region. The festival commences with a procession, and features an arts and crafts fair, traditional rural sports, cultural exhibition, and folk/classical music and dance program. There's even a turban competition. Fireworks cap off the festival.

• When: December 1-3, 2012.
• Where: Bundi, Rajasthan.

The official Konark Festival, organized by Orissa Tourism, features a range of classical Odissi, Bharathnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chau dance performances. Added attractions are an exhibition of Orissan temple sculptures, sand art exhibition, and crafts fair. The festival has been taking place since 1989.

• When: December 1-5 each year.
• Where: Open air auditorium, Natamandir, near the Konark Temple.

More Music and Dance Festivals in Orissa

The unique Hornbill Festival, named after the bird, shows just how diverse a country India really is. Held in a tiny and remote north eastern state of India, the festival is one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous warrior tribes of the region. It features traditional arts, dances, folk songs, and games, and music concerts in the evenings. Local handicrafts are also on sale during the festival. Unfortunately, a major drawback is that the festival is not easy to get to. Tourists require a permit to enter the state, and must to travel in groups of four or more people.

• When: December 1-7 each year.
• Where: Kisama Heritage Village (near Kohima town), Nagaland.

This annual celebration is held in honor of Saint Francis Xavier, one of the greatest Christian missionaries to visit India. His mummified body is kept in a casket inside the captivating Bom Jesus Basilica in Old Goa, and every year people come to pray on the anniversary of his burial. The festival, which lasts for several days before and after the feast and includes a large fair, is one of the most important Christian events in Goa. The morning mass attracts people from all over the world.

• When: December 3 each year.
• Where: Bom Jesus Basilica, near Panaji, Goa.

This hugely popular and much anticipated month long festival, which is often described as the world's largest cultural event, serves up a plethora of traditional south Indian Carnatic music, dance, and other arts. Over 1,000 performances take place during the festival, along with music related seminars, discussions, and demonstrations.

• When: Mid December to mid January each year.
• Where: Music halls all over Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The colorful ten day Cochin Carnival evolved from Portuguese new year celebrations held in Cochin during colonial days. Rather than being a traditional cultural event, it's more about feasting and fun, with competitions, games, beach sports, dirt bike races, dancing, and fireworks. The carnival concludes with a huge procession on New Year's Day.

• When: December 22 to January 1 each year.
• Where: Fort Kochi, Kerala.

The open air India Dance Festival is held against a background of rock sculptures in the beach town of Mamallapuram, just south of Chennai. It runs for a month and showcases a range of classical and folk dances from all over India.

• When: December 27, 2012 to January 26, 2013 (dates to be confirmed). Daily from 6-8 p.m.
• Where: Arjuna's Penance, Mamallapuram, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Anyone who loves shopping should make it a point to try and catch this impressive arts and crafts fair. Over 400 artisans and craftsmen from all over India come to set up stalls at the fair, which takes place in a sprawling artisans' village set up by the West Zone Cultural Center. Folk dances and cultural programs are also held as part of the festival. It's a great way to experience rural India culture.

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• When: December 23 to January 1 each year.
• Where: Shilpgram, near Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Christmas in India is more of a commercial occasion than a religious occasion, as Christians make up less than 5% of India's population. However, you'll still be able to find plenty of traditional Christmas cheer in some parts of the country.

• When: December 25 each year.
• Where: Various locations in India.

One of the biggest outdoor dance parties to hit India's beaches, the Sunburn Festival is in its fifth year this year and will almost double in size. The festival features well known artists and DJs from the electronic dance music scene all around the world. It's spread across three days, seven stages, and numerous genres of music.

• When: December 27-29, each year. Midday until 10 p.m.
• Where: Candolim Beach, Goa.
• Tickets: Tickets are available from the Book My Show website.