If there’s one thing travelers can all agree on, it’s this – food can make or break a trip. And when it comes to the food festivals of India, the country doesn’t just serve meals; it throws a full-blown carnival of spices, laughter, and chaos on a plate.
Imagine flying in on cheap flights to India, hopping between cities, and chasing the next burst of flavor – that’s what this edible adventure feels like. Each festival is a swirl of culture and taste, from buttery parathas in Delhi to the sizzling seafood in Goa.
So grab a fork (or better, your hands) and let’s dive into the flavours of India one festival at a time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- 1. National Street Food Festival, Delhi (Usually in December)
- 2. Goa Food and Cultural Festival (April)
- 3. Ahare Bangla Food Festival, Kolkata (November)
- 4. SulaFest, Nashik (February)
- 5. Lucknow Mahotsav (November–December)
- Best Time to Explore India’s Traditional Food Festivals
- Quick Travel Tips
- Closing Note
- FAQs- Food Festivals of India
- Akbar Travels Services
1. National Street Food Festival, Delhi (Usually in December)

Image Credit: Brijender Dua/Unsplash
Delhi doesn’t just feed you – it tests your appetite. The National Street Food Festival is where India’s street legends come to play by hopping on cheap flights to Delhi. From tangy golgappas to spicy momos and melt-in-the-mouth kebabs, this annual feast at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium turns every corner into a mini India. The air smells of butter sizzling on tawas, mixed with the metallic scent of cold winter nights.
Vendors from every state show up here – Assamese pithas, Hyderabadi biryani, Gujarati dhokla – each stall bursting with pride and aroma. A traveler could spend a whole day here and still not taste half of it. Entry’s usually around ₹200, but the calorie count? Don’t even ask.
Where to stay: Book one of the best hotels in Delhi near Connaught Place for easy access.
When: December to January
Also Read: Street Food in India: So Good, Even 5-Star Chefs Are Taking Notes
2. Goa Food and Cultural Festival (April)
When Goa throws a food party, the ocean listens. The Goa Food and Cultural Festival happens every April along the shimmering Miramar Beach. Picture seafood stalls glowing under fairy lights, Konkani music floating through the salty breeze, and plates stacked with recheado masala fish, xacuti, and bebinca.
Locals and tourists alike turn into food critics for five days straight. Between bites, there’s feni (of course), folk performances, and stalls by Goa’s best chefs showing off the flavours of India’s coast.
Where to stay: Pick a sea-facing stay from the best hotels in Goa list – you’ll thank yourself.
Getting there: Fly in on a cheap flight ticket to Goa from Mumbai.
3. Ahare Bangla Food Festival, Kolkata (November)
Kolkata doesn’t whisper its love for food – it sings it. The Ahare Bangla Food Festival, held every November at the Central Park Fairground, celebrates Bengal’s heartwarming cuisine. Expect stalls serving kosha mangsho, ilish paturi, rosogolla, and even fusion experiments like hilsa sushi.
The best part? Government chefs and local home cooks stand side-by-side. The prices are friendly (₹100–₹300 per dish), and the flavors are pure poetry. The sound of folk songs, the smell of mustard oil, and the hum of a content crowd… It’s India’s traditional food culture wrapped in nostalgia. To feel this nostalgia of food, grab cheap flights to Kolkata and enjoy Rabindranath Tagore’s sangeet as well.
Where to stay: Pick one from the best hotels in Kolkata for comfort near Park Street.
To enjoy food festivals abroad, you can secure online visa services for 180+ countries and make your taste buds happy.
4. SulaFest, Nashik (February)
Wine and music in the vineyards – yes, please. SulaFest in Nashik isn’t your average food fest. It’s part music carnival, part gourmet paradise, held at Sula Vineyards every February. Picture rows of grapevines glistening in the sun, boho tents, global cuisines, and wine glasses clinking to indie beats.
From wood-fired pizzas to creamy pastas and experimental cheese platters, this is one of the most popular food festivals of India for the younger crowd. And if you wish to explore Nashik, the city of Grapes, you can explore all inclusive Nashik tour packages.
Getting there: About 4 hours by road from Mumbai.
Read More: Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye? 3 Indian Sweets Among The World’s Best 50 Street Food Sweets
5. Lucknow Mahotsav (November–December)
Nowhere does traditional Indian food quite like Lucknow. The Lucknow Mahotsav is a celebration of the city’s royal past, filled with kebabs, biryanis, and sweet sohan halwa. It began in 1975 to honor Nawabi culture, and every year since, it’s grown more grand (and more aromatic).
Between bites, travelers can catch kathak performances, puppet shows, or stroll through the craft bazaar.
Where to stay: Browse best hotels in Lucknow and choose one near Hazratganj for easy festival access.
Best Time to Explore India’s Traditional Food Festivals

Image Credit: fuseviews/Unsplash
From November to April, the weather’s mild, and most of India’s traditional food festivals take place during these cooler months. Avoid May–July unless you’re chasing mangoes (and sweat).
Quick Travel Tips
- Always carry small cash. Street food stalls rarely take cards.
- Stay near metro routes in big cities.
- Use India tour packages to combine festivals with sightseeing.
- Hydrate, always – spicy food loves drama.
Closing Note
So, if food’s your love language, the food festivals of India are your perfect playground. Each one’s a story – a little messy, super flavorful, and filled with the warmth of a thousand kitchens. Don’t over-plan it; just land with curiosity, a stretchy waistband, and a craving for chaos.
Because, really, the top food festivals of India aren’t just about eating – they’re about tasting the soul of the country, one spicy, sweet, tangy bite at a time.
FAQs- Food Festivals of India
Which is India’s most famous food?
Biryani, Butter Chicken, Samosa, Chole Bhature and Tandoori Chicken are India’s most famous food.
Is it 28 or 29 states in India?
There are currently 28 states in India.
Which day is National Food Day?
24th October is National Food Day.
Which is the largest food festival in India?
The National Street Food Festival is the largest food festival in India.
Which city is called the food bowl of India?
Punjab is called as food bowl of India.
If You Are a Foodie, You Will Love to Read:
British Food That’ll Make You Drool: A Traveler’s Hungry Guide
Why Does the World Love Turkish Food? Blame the Kebab!
Why Does Plane Food Taste Bland? The Answer Lies in the Air
Akbar Travels Services
Best Flight Deals
Mumbai to Delhi Flight Tickets | Mumbai to Bangalore Flight Tickets | Kolkata to Mumbai Flight Tickets | Kochi to Abu Dhabi Flight Tickets | Lucknow to Riyadh Flight Tickets | Delhi to Ahmedabad Flight Tickets
Domestic Flights
Pune to Bangalore Flights | Chennai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Chennai Flights | Mumbai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Hyderabad Flights | Ahmedabad to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Kolkata Flights | Hyderabad to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Goa Flights
International Flights
International Flights Booking | Delhi to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Bangkok Flights | Delhi to Toronto Flights | Mumbai to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Singapore Flights | Delhi to London Flights | Delhi to Kathmandu Flights | Mumbai to London Flights | Chennai to Singapore Flights | Mumbai to Singapore Flights | Delhi to New York Flights | Kolkata to Bangkok Flights
Best Hotel Deals
Hotels In Dubai | Hotels In Mumbai India | Hotels In Pune India | Hotels In Singapore | Hotels In Kochi India | Hotels In Munnar India | Hotels In Bangkok Thailand | Hotels In Kuala Lumpur Malaysia | Hotels In Mecca Saudi Arabia | Hotels In Mahabalipuram India
Apply Visa Online
Dubai Visa Online | 14 days Dubai Visa | 30 days Dubai Visa | 60 days Dubai Visa | Dubai Transit Visa | UAE Visa | Singapore Visa | Malaysia Visa | Thailand Visa | Sri Lanka Visa | US Visa | UK Visa | Schengen Visa | Canada Visa | Australia Visa | New Zealand Visa | France Visa | Italy Visa | Turkey Visa Online | Philippines Visa | Cambodia Visa Online | Vietnam Visa Online | Oman Visa
International Tour Packages
Dubai Tour Packages | Singapore Tour Packages | Thailand Tour Packages | Malaysia Tour Packages | Sri Lanka Tour Packages | US Tour Packages | United Kingdom Tour Packages | South Africa Tour Packages | Europe Tour Packages | Bali Tour Packages | Mauritius Tour Packages | Maldives Tour Packages | Cordelia Cruise Packages |
Domestic Tour Packages
India Tour Packages | Goa Tour Packages | Kerala Tour Packages | Leh Ladakh Tour Packages | Himachal Tour Packages | Andaman Tour Packages | Rajasthan Tour Packages | Uttarakhand Tour Packages | Jammu and Kashmir Tour Packages
Packages by Themes
Honeymoon Packages | Adventure Packages | Visa on Arrival Packages | Family Packages | Romantic Packages | Weekend Getaways Packages
Pingback: Decoding Indian Passport Colors: Colorful Tale of Travel and Power
Pingback: Travelers’ Guide: Best Hotels in Bilaspur for a Perfect Stay