Music Festivals in India you must not miss

Music has become a part of our daily lives as a stress buster. It can heal one’s soul and pull distant hearts together. Listening to music is a way to relax for many people but only a true music fan will understand the bliss of listening to music in a live concert. We have witnessed many great music festivals in India which, singers from all around the world showcase their talents. For travellers and music lovers, this proves as a golden opportunity as they get to explore new places along with enjoying the diverse mix of music.

Here are 25 Best Music Festivals in India that you must not miss:

1. Hornbill, Nagaland

Hornbill is one of the biggest music festivals in India that takes place amidst the scenic vistas of Kohima. Every December, this seven-day cultural fest takes place and people from all over the world come to enjoy it. This festival is more about the multi-ethnic tribes of Nagaland and all the Northeast bands come together to meet musicians from all over the world.

2. Magnetic Fields, Rajasthan

Magnetic Fields is set amongst the beautiful Alsisar Mahal in Rajasthan in between the grandeur of the golden triangle formed by Bikaner, Jaipur and Delhi. It is a three-day music festival held in the month of December. This festival aims at showcasing the newest talents and sounds from the country by giving them a platform to break into the music industry and performing among music legends.

3. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

The Ziro Festival is held at an altitude of 5,500 feet in Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh. It is held in September which attracts a large number of tourists who like to watch the beautiful mountain ranges and pine trees. This festival increases fellowship among the musicians of Northeast India. It has served as a platform for various musicians to interact with each other since its launch in 2012. The eco-friendly environment of Arunachal Pradesh forms an ideal place for this music festival.

4. Ragasthan, Jaisalmer

Image source- Ragasthan/FaceBook

Ragasthan is a three-day music festival set in the dunes of Jaisalmer. It provides an elated experience of camping under the stars of the Thar Desert with authentic Rajasthani cuisine. This festival aims at producing an eco-friendly event that encourages the preservation of Rajasthani culture. There is no revelation of the upcoming performances so as to keep the audience at the edge of their seats and be thrilled by the quality of the performance rather than big names.

5. Mahindra Blues, Mumbai

Mahindra Blues is Asia’s biggest music festival that is held every February in Mumbai. The festival aims at promoting the local blues community by creating contact with the already established blues artists. Artists from all over the globe meet with the budding blues artists in India at this festival. The tourists can enjoy the local cuisine and take pleasure in the bustling nightlife of Mumbai along with the dazzling music festival.

6. Storm, Bangalore

Storm is organized in the outskirts of Bangalore as it celebrates various genres of music like electronic, folk, and indie. It is a three-day festival held in the month of January every year. Storm is known popularly for its location which allows adventurous rides along with live music. The festival promotes environmental sustainability and thus is an example of an event with a cause. The festival stands for efficient waste management, recycling used products, and strict no-plastic policy.

7. NH7 Weekender Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi

NH7 Weekender is known for its superior quality of product an impressive list of artists attending it. It is a stunning music festival with the best-organised indie music. The festival has a lot of facilities including health facilities, food, drinks, security, information desks, toilets etc. There is a mixed performance of indie, rock, metal and ethnic fusion music. The music extravaganza takes place for three days in either of the cities of Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Delhi.

8. Jodhpur Riff

The Jodhpur Riff is an international music festival that is held in October and displays the traditional fold music of Rajasthan. It is organized at Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur at the time of Sharad Purnima. The full moon night adds to the beauty of this music festival. The festival provides a stage for the Indian folk artists as well as foreign artists to showcase their talents. The main aim of this festival is to promote the traditional folk culture of Rajasthan and retain its heritage value.

9. Escape, Naukuchiatal

The Escape music festival came into being after a little incident in which about 80 musicians decided to get away from Delhi and spend their days relaxing in a resort in the Himalayas. It is held at the Lake resort in Naukuchiatal for three days. This festival is not limited to music but is open to other talents such as photography, painting, graffiti, tattoo, writing and pottery. Escape is true to its name as it gives an escape to the attenders with its quality music and beautiful atmosphere.

10. Fireflies, Bangalore

Fireflies is known for its esthetic atmosphere and location which is set under a banyan tree in an open-air amphitheatre. It is organized in the outskirts of Bangalore and provides and out of the world experience to the visitors. It is a treat to the eyes of nature lovers. Fireflies is a mixture of western jazz and tribal folk music which is performed by less known artists together. The festival takes place at night from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM. It creates an organic vibe and attracts one of its kinds.

11. Sula Fest, Nasik

Sula Fest occurs in the lush Sula Vineyards of Nasik. It is a fusion of dubstep, reggae and electronic music. There’s an abundance of wine at this festival. To add a bit of the health quotient to the equation, Sula Fest has collaborated with Yoga House which organizes morning yoga sessions for its audience in open ground.  This event also witnesses many other recreational activities such as tarot card reading, hot-air balloon rides, wine tasting, foot massages etc along with a melodious atmosphere.

12. Rang, New Delhi

Rang, as its name suggests is a festival of colors. The spirit of music is mixed with the festive occasion of Holi in the capital city of Delhi. This festive event is full of vibrant colors, water balloons, exotic drinks, and special delicacies as a part of Holi. Rang has various electronic music performances in which reputed artists from all over the world perform.

13. Kasauli Rhythm, Kasauli

This festival is organized in the lovely town of Kasauli. It has mixed performances that range from Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rock to Electro-Rock-Folk and fusion. Kasauli Rhythm is held in the month of April at the beautiful Baikunth resort. It aims at making people aware of the critically and underprivileged children.  The festival presents serious and mature music instead of casual pop music.

14. Shiva Squad Festival, Manali

The crazy musical party brings together the finest artists of Psy-Trance, Trance, Hi-Tech, electronic, rock, jazz, fusion, classical, R&B and folk music. It is one of a kind festival in the entire country which takes place in the month of September in the regions of Manali. Its social cause is to develop harmony and brotherhood among people with the help of musical expressions. It attempts to bring together people of like minds and to develop artistic expressions in their lives.

15. GoMad Fest, Ooty

This music festivals in India is held in the month of October for three days in the wilderness of Nilgiri hills. Its music performances range from Fusion to pop to electronic to metal. There is no particular cause for this event except enjoying the beauty of art. It gives a stage to the lesser-known artists and bands that offer amazing music tracks. There are various recreational activities like paintball in addition to musical performances.

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16. Holi Cow, New Delhi

Immersed in the colours of Holi, this music festival in India is celebrated in Delhi. The music performances range from Hip-Hop to Electronic to Reggae to Indie. Visual dance performances take the celebration to another level. It is a single-day outdoor event that takes place on Holi. People can indulge in a wide assortment of art, culture, food, music and dancing organised on three stages.

17. Woods Talk, Rishikesh

Woods Talk is an exceptional music festival that follows the concept of camping music festivals in European countries. It is set near the banks of the holy rives of Ganges in Rishikesh. The camps are set in the woods of Mahadev Chatti, 45 km ahead of Rishikesh. It is held in the month of November this year. The music performances vary from folk performances to jazz to rock and various other forms of music. It is one in a lifetime experience. One of the different music festivals in India.

18. Mood Indigo, Mumbai

This annual music festival is organized by IIT Bombay every year and is one of the oldest music festivals. It brings together India’s most sought after music bands to entertain its public. More than 1600 colleges take part in this music festival to showcase their talents. The festival is famous for bringing the famous Porcupine Tree to the country. The festival aims are spreading awareness about blood donation. This festival takes place in December for four days every year.

19. Gulmarg Winter Fest, Kashmir

The Gulmarg Winter Fest is the celebration of winter. Its performances vary from classical to jazz to fusion to blues to indie. The snow-clad peaks of Himalayas add to the beauty of the festival. People from all around enjoy music, vibrant cultures, and sumptuous food in the beautiful city of Gulmarg. Gulmarg snow festival was started in 2003 to promote tourism in Kashmir. The festival lasts for two days and is organised by the tourism ministry of Jammu and Kashmir at the end of December each year.

20. Tansen Music Festival, Gwalior

The Annual Tansen Music Festival is held here in the month of November when prominent musicians from all over the country come and perform various classical shows in the backdrop of the Tomb of Tansen. In 2018, Tansen Samaroh will begin on Friday, 21 December and end on Wednesday, 26 December

21. Enchanted Valley Carnival, Pune

The first of its kind in Asia, the Enchanted Valley Carnival is India’s largest music festival that is held on an airstrip located amidst the beautiful hills of Aamby Valley in Pune. This two-day festival held in December every year also includes various adventure activities like rock climbing, bungee jumping, zip-lining and more, to give attendees an experience to remember. And for food, visit the ‘Culinarium’, which are the food stalls that serve everything from street cuisine to gourmet classics.

22. Road to Ultra, Mumbai, Delhi

Fans were shaking in excitement as THE Ultra Music Festival has finally made its way into Indian soil with its global leg of the tour, Road to Ultra. Being one of the largest electronic festivals in the world, they didn’t disappoint with the first-ever event that was held in 2017 in Mumbai and Delhi, by including global electronic duo, the Chainsmokers in the lineup. This one-day festival is packed with performances from some of the biggest names in the Indian and global EDM industry.

23. Go: Madras, Mahabalipuram

A perfect blend of Chennai’s beach life and the crazy EDM vibe, the Go: Madras festival has come a long way since its fruition back in 2009. Held in September each year, it’s set in the beautiful historical city of Mahabalipuram and radiates a laid-back vibe when compared to the other EDM festivals. You get to experience some great water activities like jet skiing and boat rides as well. Another benefit? It’ is located 2 hours from Chennai and Pondicherry, so give them a visit as well. Be a part of this one of the most amazing music festivals in India.

24. VH1 Supersonic, Pune

Held in February in Pune annually, VH1 Supersonic had a lineup of some of the top international electronic artists and with special performances as well. They had the timeless Incubus perform in 2017. And as of 2018, the festival is opening its stages to artists from multiple genres as well. So you can expect the most prominent names from jazz, rock, pop, reggae, indie and more. Keep this one on the ‘Must Do’ list.

25. Puravankara Indigo and Blues Festival, Bangalore

With all those EDM festivals out there, let’s give those Jazz and Blues music enthusiasts a celebration to hype over. The blues hit Bengaluru with the renowned international labels and also provides local jazz and blues bands a platform. With a groovy atmosphere, the festival gives attendees much to appreciate about the growing blues scene in India.