FESTIVALS
1. Three Kings Feast
6 Jan or first Sun in Jan
Grand processions take place at the Three Kings Church during the Festa dos Reis (Three Kings Feast). Young boys from local villages re-enact the Three Magi blessing baby Jesus and are accompanied by crowds to Remedios Hill.
Church lit during Three Kings Feast
2. Shantadurga
Jan
During this famous festival, a silver statue of Hindu goddess Shantadurga is carried in procession between the villages of Fatorpa and Cuncolim. It is also known as the “Procession of the Umbrellas”, as it is led by 12 umbrellas, which represent different communities.
3. Goa Carnival
Pre-Lent
Goa’s grandest festival is celebrated before Lent. It begins in Panaji with the crowning of King Momo, the king of chaos and fun. The parade has elaborate floats and masked revellers in fancy dress. Three days and nights of nonstop revelry follow, which ends at Vasco da Gama.
The colourful, festive annual Goa Carnival parade
4. Shigmotsav (Shigmo)
Feb/Mar
A Goan rendition of the popular Hindu festival of colours, Holi, Shigmo features traditional folk dances and street floats depicting mythological and religious scenes. Highlights include the Ghodemundi during which men perform a martial dance with wooden horses strapped to the lower half of their bodies.
5. Sao Joao
Jun
This feast celebrates the arrival of the monsoon and honours the baptism of St John the Baptist. To mark this event, young people jump into lakes and ponds, and boat races are organized in Siolim.
6. Bonderam
Fourth Sat in Aug
The Bonderam festival takes its name from bandeira, which means flag in Portuguese. Held on Divar Island, it commemorates the Portuguese system of using flags to indicate property boundaries between feuding villagers. Mock fights are re-enacted to knock down the flags. Parties begin and bands strike up a tune from 7pm.
Flag bearers at the start of Bonderam
7. Narkasur Parades
Oct; Eve of Diwali
To celebrate the victory of the Hindu god Krishna over the demon Narkasur effigies of the demon are burned. This is meant to symbolize the victory of good over evil and heralds the festival of lights, Diwali.
8. Feast of St Francis Xavier
3 or 4 Dec
The feast of Goa’s patron saint is held on the anniversary of his death. Attended by pilgrims from all over the world, the feast is preceded by novenas (nine days of prayer).
9. Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Early Dec
This holy feast is celebrated at the famous Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception to commemorate Mother Mary’s conception. Festivities go on for a few days and street stalls are set up around the church. In the evening, there are firework displays.
10. Christmas and New Year
25 Dec–1 Jan
During the festive season, the streets and most churches across the state are beautifully decorated with lights. The Christmas eve Midnight Mass is traditionally known as Misa de Galo, (Cock’s Crow) as it continues until dawn. On New Year’s Eve, numerous beach parties are held accompanied by great firework displays.
TOP 10 EVENTS IN GOA
1. International Kite Festival
Two-day festival, including night kite flying at Miramar Beach (Jan).
International Kite Festival
2. Sensorium
Exhibition of arts, cinema and music at Sunaparanta, Goa Centre for the Arts (Jan–Mar).
3. Monte Music Festival
A cultural event for lovers of classical music and dance organized by Cidade de Goa and Fundação Oriente (Feb).
4. Grape Escapade
Four-day wine festival in Panaji with culinary delights, grape stomping and wine tasting sessions (Apr).
5. International Film Festival of India
India’s largest film festival celebrates cinema by hosting screenings of Indian and international films (Nov).
6. Goa International Jazz Live Festival
Celebration of contemporary jazz showing performances by India’s finest bands as well as international acts (Dec).
7. Serendipity Arts Festival
Multi-disciplinary event held at the Old Secretariat on the banks of the Mandovi River (Dec).
8. Goa Arts & Literary Festival (GALF)
Goa’s literary and art festival features diverse writers, artists and musicians from all over the world (Dec).
9. Liberation Day
Military parades mark the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule (17th Dec).
10. Zagor Festival
Siolim’s main festival includes midnight processions bearing the effigy of the village deity Zagoryo, followed by a dance drama re-enacted by members of two old Siolim families (Dec).
