These traditional Himachali festivals offer a window into the culture and devotion of the mountains. For Canadian travellers, timing a visit around a festival adds colour and depth to any trip.
Festivals to experience
1. Kullu Dussehra (October)
A week-long festival starting on Vijayadashami, when hundreds of village deities are carried to Kullu to pay homage to Lord Raghunath. Read our Kullu guide.
- Getting there: about 10–11 hours from Delhi; fly to Bhuntar or take a Volvo bus from Delhi.
- Best time: March to June and September to November; October for Kullu Dussehra
- Don’t miss: River rafting, Bijli Mahadev, Kullu shawl factories
- Where to stay: riverside resorts, homestays (mid-range from ₹3,000 (about C$45) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
2. International Shivaratri Fair, Mandi (February–March)
A week-long festival in Mandi with deities, music and dance.
3. Minjar Fair, Chamba (July–August)
A harvest festival with processions and cultural events. Read our Chamba guide.
- Getting there: about 12 hours from Delhi; taxi or bus from Dalhousie or Pathankot.
- Best time: October to April (summer is warm)
- Don’t miss: Lakshmi Narayan Temple Complex, Bhuri Singh Museum, Chaugan
- Where to stay: hotels in town, heritage stays (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
4. Lavi Fair, Rampur (November)
A historic trade fair where traders from Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti sell wool, horses and dry fruits.
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5. Losar (February–March)
Tibetan New Year in McLeodganj and the Buddhist valleys. Read our McLeodganj guide.
- Getting there: 10–12 hours by road from Delhi; fly to Kangra (Gaggal) airport, then taxi (about 45 minutes).
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Tsuglagkhang Complex, Lingkor kora, Bhagsunag temple and waterfall
- Where to stay: Chonor House, Glenmoor Cottages (mid-range from ₹3,000 (about C$45) a night)
- Time needed: 3 days
6. Phulaich, Kinnaur (September–October)
A flower festival in Kinnaur. Read our Kalpa guide.
- Getting there: about 2 days via Shimla from Delhi; drive or bus from Shimla via Rampur and Reckong Peo (10–12 hours from Shimla).
- Best time: April to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Kinner Kailash views, Suicide Point, Roghi village
- Where to stay: hotels and homestays (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
7. Halda, Lahaul (January)
A festival of lights in Lahaul. Read our Keylong guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km), plus 2 hours from Delhi; drive from Manali through Atal Tunnel (about 2.5 hours); HRTC buses also run.
- Best time: May to October
- Don’t miss: Kardang Monastery, Shashur Monastery, Manali–Leh highway
- Where to stay: hotels and homestays (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 1–2 days
8. Shimla Summer Festival (May–June)
Music and cultural events on the Ridge. Read our Shimla guide.
- Getting there: 7–9 hours by road (about 350 km) or train to Kalka plus the toy train from Delhi; by air: Shimla (Jubbarhatti) airport has limited regional flights; Chandigarh airport, 115 km away, is more reliable.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow
- Don’t miss: The Ridge and Mall Road, Christ Church, Jakhoo Temple
- Where to stay: Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort (Mashobra), The Oberoi Cecil (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about C$75) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
9. Manali Winter Carnival (January)
Parades, music and winter sports. Read our Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; by air: Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar) airport is 50 km away, with limited flights; Chandigarh is the more reliable alternative.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow; avoid the monsoon (July–August)
- Don’t miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht
- Where to stay: The Himalayan, Span Resort & Spa (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about C$75) a night)
- Time needed: 4–5 days
10. Renuka Fair (November)
A fair in Sirmaur district at Renuka Lake.
Festival etiquette
- Dress modestly.
- Ask before photographing people and deities.
- Follow local customs at temples.
Planning around festivals
Book accommodation early for major festivals, especially Kullu Dussehra.
Planning your trip from Canada
Air India runs a daily nonstop between Toronto and Delhi on a Boeing 787-9 (from August 2026 schedules), taking roughly 14–16 hours depending on routing. From Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and other cities, most travellers connect through Europe (London, Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam), the Gulf (Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi) or Istanbul. Schedules have shifted because of airspace restrictions, so check the current timetable before you book. Door to door, plan for 20–24 hours from Toronto and 24–30 hours from western Canada. Fares: round-trip economy fares from Toronto to Delhi often range from about C$1,300 to C$2,200, and more from Vancouver or around Diwali, Christmas and the summer holidays. Read our guide to getting to Himachal from Canada for the full journey.
Canadian citizens need an Indian visa, and most holidaymakers use the e-Tourist Visa, applied for online at least four days before travel; our India visa guide explains the process step by step. Provincial health plans such as OHIP and MSP cover very little outside Canada, so buy a policy with medical and evacuation cover (see our travel insurance guide). For cash, cards and UPI, see our money guide, and for staying online, our SIM and internet guide.
What it costs
Typical daily spend per person on the ground, excluding international flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day (INR) | In Canadian dollars | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500–4,000 | C$37–60 | hostel or guesthouse, local food, buses |
| Mid-range | ₹6,000–10,000 | C$90–149 | good hotel, café meals, some taxis |
| Luxury | ₹20,000–45,000 | C$299–672 | 5-star or heritage stay, private car, fine dining |
Prices are converted at about ₹67 to C$1 and rise in peak season (May–June, Christmas and New Year). Our Himachal trip cost guide has a full breakdown.
Travelling responsibly in the Himalaya
Himachal’s mountain communities and ecosystems are fragile. Carry a refillable water bottle (plastic waste is a growing problem on popular trails), stay in locally owned guesthouses and homestays, hire local guides and drivers, and buy crafts directly from makers. Respect village and temple customs, keep noise down at night, and never leave rubbish at campsites or viewpoints. In the monsoon, follow local advice about landslide-prone roads rather than pushing on.
Health and safety basics
Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water, eat freshly cooked food and carry a small medical kit with rehydration salts and motion-sickness tablets for winding roads. Above 3,000 m, gain height gradually and descend if headaches or nausea get worse. The emergency number throughout India is 112. Global Affairs Canada advises Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in India, with stronger warnings for some border areas, including Jammu and Kashmir.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest festival in Himachal?
Kullu Dussehra.
When is Losar?
Usually February or March.
Can tourists join festivals?
Yes. Visitors are welcome to watch processions and fairs; dress modestly and ask before photographing deities and people.
Do festival dates change?
Yes, many follow the lunar calendar.
Is accommodation harder to find during festivals?
Yes, book early.