· Winter Season - October to February
· Summer Season - March to May
· Monsoon Season - June to September

GOA is covered with a 105 Kms stretch of picturesque beauty and it is a delight to watch this part of the konkan coast. It has a wide range of most beautiful and scenic beaches, monumental sights, churches, temples, palaces and forts, wildlife and bird sanctuaries. Panaji, being the capital of Goa, all the major happenings have originated from this mind blowing city. Goa has a varied blend of culture with talented artisans, born musicians, and craftsmen to carve out lovely handmade handicrafts. To make your trip filled with pleasure, here are a few tips on the major events and happenings in Goa.
Events and Happenings in January and February Goa rises to the New Year with a bang-partying and dancing to the nostalgic music, right through, from the old year to the colorful fire works, bringing joy and happiness of the New Year on the 1st of January.
The Feast of The Three Kings is celebrated on the 6th January, in places like Reis Magos, Cansaulim, Old Goa and Quelim, best known for its hilltop celebrations, which include drums, trumpets and rejoicing. In Christian mythology, this celebration is also known as 'Epiphany Day', with the three kings offering their gifts to Jesus Christ.
Republic Day the 26th January is marked as a national holiday all over India. In Goa the CM has the honour of unfurling the National Flag at the campal grounds.
Goa celebrates Valentines day on 14th February, most of the hotels offer exciting packages. The Institutions and colleges in Goa organize musical events, elocution competitions, gatherings, etc at different venues. Goa Carnival is thrill filled event, which brings the entire region of Goa in a festive mood. The Goa carnival is just the replica of the great Brazilian carnival of Rio de Janeiro, with parades of colorful decorated floats, colorful costumes, street partying and dancing to the sound of music, etc. The carnival starts 4 days before the beginning of the Christian Lenten season. That’s the best time for the revellers to party in Goa. The Carnival usually falls between 20th February - 10th March. Carnival concludes with the famous Red-N-Black dance.
Events and Happenings in March & April Shigmo is a grand 5-day festival of colours, celebrated by the villagers, with colourful costumes, decorated floats and rollicking music. Shigmo is a farewell to winter celebrated on the full moon day between end March Holi festival of colours is celebrated the day after full moon in the month of March. Goa Velha is most famous for the procession of the Saints, with 31 different life-size statues paraded on the streets, on the 5th Monday of Lent. Good Friday / Easter - late March - early April, a particularly important time for Goan Catholics. An Easter celebration is a partying time among the Goan communities. The Feast of Our Lady of Miracles – in Mapusa is celebrated 15 days after Easter. Shoppers can find a number of pandals & stalls displaying a variety of items. These stalls usually last for more than a week. The feast normally coincides with the zatra festival; somewhere in April.
Events and Happenings in May May is considerd the most happening and eventful month in Goa. Considering the hot and humid summer season, just a stroll on the beach and the soothing winds can drive away all the aches and make you feel relaxed. With food stalls to serve you Goan delicacies, lots of entertainment, feasts and festivals, partying around Goa's beautiful beaches and resorts, is a sheer joy and delight. Sirigao temple in Bicholim taluka, hosts the fire walking festival called “Uzean Chalne” by the Dhond somewhere in May. The Hindu community celebrates this notable event with much gaiety. Goa celebrates its statehood day on the 31st May.
Events and Happenings in June and July The rain drops and the gushing of winds sign up the start of the monsoon season in Goa. Just a little rain shower can transforms the entire region of Goa into a pleasing greenery. The Feast of St. Anthony is celebrated on the 13th June. A statue of St. Anthony is lowered into a deep well to appraise him, if the rains have not yet started. Enjoy a dip in the well - that happens on the Sao Joan festival on the 24th June, all over Goa. The newly weds are invited, especially the bridegroom by his new in-laws, who welcome him into their home. The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated on 29th June. The sangodd is the festival of Siolim, Candolim and Sinquerim community, most famous for its floats. Naagpanchami is celebrated in the month of shravan around July-August, a Hindu festival, with large numbers of snake charmers.
Events and Happenings in August and September Most parts of Goa celebrate the feast of konkan harvest on the 1st August, traditionally known as Novidade. Vasco Saptah is a seven day festival of Lord Damodar, celebrated in the month of Shravan, having the highest number of stalls lasting for about 15 days. Goa celebrates the Independence Day on 15th August, a national holiday in Goa and all over India. Divar Island celebrates its traditional bonderam festival, on the 4th Saturday of every August. The main attraction is the parade of floats and flags. The Feast of St. Lawrence is celebrated on the 10th August at the hilltop in Sinquerim, marking the end of Goa's local monsoon season. This is also known as the fisherman’s festival, as they venture into the sea once the rituals are over. The Festival of Lord Ganesh or the Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated between August and September. The celebration of Chaturthi extends upto 21 days which involves exchanging gifts/sweets.
Navratri (Festival of Nine Nights) – celebrated in September, is a Hindu celebration, including fasting, praying, and folk dancing with special sticks, known as 'Dandiya Raas'.
Events and Happenings in October and November Dussehra (Durga Puja) celebrated early October, is a major religious Hindu Festival involving the of burning effigies of evil characters The Festival of lights known as Diwali (Deepavali) – is celebrated somewhere around end October – mid November, with akaashdeep, decorations, burning of lamps, lighting and illuminations, fireworks. Goa has been privileged by IFFI to host the annual International Film Festival of India. All renowned films around the globe are screened in the multiplex, thus bringing the film fraternity together. If you’re a film lover, then November end is the best time to be in Goa. Enjoy good spirits with lovely seafood delicacies. Goa Heritage festival starts around mid November in Colva, lasting two days, with music, dancing and plenty of delicacies. The premier cultural event the Tiatr festival starts mid-November at Kala Academy, Campal. It is a programme of traditional Konkani music, dance and theatrical events.
Goa Food and Cultural Festival - late November / early December, held over five-days. Expect to enjoy poetry, painting, open-air concerts, local delicacies and a chance to sample freshly prepared seafood dishes. Culminating in night-time fireworks around the coastline and partying throughout Goa The Fama of St. Francis Xavier starts from the 24th November. It’s the perfect month for pilgrimage. Monte Music Festival is a Western classical and Indian classical form of music festival, organized by the Fundacao Oriente at Kala Academy in November. Tripurari Poornima (boat festival) is organized jointly by GTDC and the Dept. of Arts & Culture in November at Sanquelim.
Events and Happenings in December The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated on 3rd December; the relicis of St. Francis Xavier are in the tomb, at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Devotees turn up in large numbers to pay homage to St. Francis Xavier. It is one of the biggest events of Goa. The Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on 8th December, a big fair and church service is held at Panaji, Margao and Calangute. Goa celebrates its Liberation Day on the 19th December. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th December; the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It brings the message of peace and joy to every Goan. Sweets and goodies are exchanged amongst the neighbours. 31st December marks the end of the year with effigies of the old man burnt over Goa. It is party time, with a number of dances & parties organized to usher in the New Year.