Festivals

Diwali in Ahmedabad is a stunning five-day “Festival of Lights” where the city’s historic pols and modern skylines are illuminated by thousands of diyas, vibrant rangolis, and spectacular fireworks. The following day marks Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year), a deeply cultural celebration where families visit temples in new attire, exchange the greeting “Saal Mubarak,” and traders perform Chopda Pujan to sanctify their new account books for a prosperous year ahead.

The Ahmedabad Shopping Festival (ASF) 2025–26 is a massive 43-day citywide celebration running from December 5 to January 16, featuring over 8,000 participating businesses and exclusive discounts of up to 35%. The festival transforms major hubs like Sindhu Bhavan Road and the Sabarmati Riverfront into vibrant zones with live concerts, food fests, and a dedicated “Grand Wedding Shopping District” at the GMDC Ground.

Ahmedabad’s Rath Yatra is the second-largest chariot festival in India, featuring a massive 14-km procession that begins at the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur. The event is a unique “Lokotsav” (people’s festival) where the Chief Minister symbolically clears the path with a golden broom before three grand chariots, decorated elephants, and moving tableaux travel through the city to bless devotees.

Navratri in Ahmedabad is a high-energy, nine-night celebration where the city transforms into the world’s largest outdoor dance floor for the traditional Garba and Dandiya Raas. From massive commercial venues at the GMDC Ground to intimate “Sheri Garba” in the historic pols, thousands of people dress in vibrant traditional attire to honor Goddess Durga through dance, music, and devotion.

Celebrated every January during Uttarayan, this iconic festival transforms the Ahmedabad skyline into a colorful canvas as millions of kites take flight from rooftops and the Sabarmati Riverfront. It is a global event that brings together international kite flyers and locals alike to enjoy aerial battles, traditional music, and seasonal delicacies like Undhiyu and Chikki.