Festivals in Shimla: A Complete Guide to Cultural Celebrations in the Queen of Hills

If you thought Shimla was only about misty mountains and colonial charm, you are in for a surprise. The Queen of Hills is also home to vibrant festivals that fill its streets with colour, music, and traditions. From summer flower shows and trade fairs to winter carnivals and Christmas magic, each celebration reveals a unique side of Himachali culture.

This blog is your complete guide to these festivals in Shimla, covering when they happen, how they are celebrated, and the unforgettable experiences they offer. With Club Mahindra resorts nearby, you can enjoy every festival with comfort and warmth.

In this blog

• 8 Famous Festivals That Bring Shimla Alive
• Travel Tips for Experiencing Shimla's Festivals
• Where to Stay: Club Mahindra Resorts in Shimla

8 Famous Festivals That Bring Shimla Alive

Shimla Summer Festival

• When: First week of June
• Where: The main events are held at The Ridge and along Mall Road.
• Origins & History: This festival began during the British Raj, when Shimla was the summer capital of India. To escape the heat of the plains, colonial officers organised summer fairs inspired by English traditions. After independence, the event was reimagined to highlight Himachali culture, evolving into one of Shimla’s most popular celebrations. Today, it reflects the city’s transition from a colonial retreat to a cultural hub of the hills.
• Festival Highlights: The Ridge becomes a vibrant venue for flower exhibitions showcasing Himalayan blooms and orchids. Mall Road turns into a bustling bazaar where artisans sell Kinnauri shawls, Chamba rumals, and woodcrafts. Evenings feature Bollywood performers alongside local troupes presenting folk dances like Natti and Kayang. Stalls serving siddu, babru, and mittha add flavour to the festivities, while dog shows, baby contests, and fashion events keep visitors entertained.
• Experiences to Look For: Stroll through the morning flower show, join locals in Natti dance circles, sample authentic street food at Scandal Point, and end with the grand finale concert capped by fireworks over the mountains.

Ice Skating Carnival

• When: December to February, with peak events in late December and early January.
• Where: Shimla Ice Skating Rink, near Lakkar Bazaar.
• Origins & History: The tradition of ice skating in Shimla began in the 1920s, when British officers created India’s first open-air natural rink to enjoy winter sports. Early accounts speak of magical night sessions, where skaters glided on lantern-lit ice under the moonlight. This unique practice soon evolved into the Ice Skating Carnival, making Shimla famous as home to Asia’s oldest natural ice rink. Over the decades, the carnival has become a symbol of community joy, sporting spirit, and winter festivity.
• Festival Highlights: The carnival showcases professional figure skating performances, ice hockey tournaments, and lively fancy dress contests on ice. Beginners can take basic training sessions from instructors, while evenings feature illuminated skating under colourful lights. Surrounding stalls serve hot chocolate, tea, and snacks, adding warmth to the frosty atmosphere.
• Experiences to Look For: Begin your day with morning skating sessions on fresh ice, watch synchronised group routines in the evening, and enjoy couple-skating set to romantic tunes on weekends. Try the local “skating chai,” and capture the golden sunset reflecting off the rink for unforgettable winter memories.

Shimla Winter Carnival

• When: Late December to early January, usually around Christmas and New Year.
• Where: The Ridge, Mall Road, and other major venues across Shimla.
• Origins & History: The Winter Carnival was first introduced in the 1970s to celebrate life in the mountains during the harshest months of the year. Inspired by European winter traditions yet firmly rooted in Himachali culture, the event symbolises resilience, warmth, and unity. Local belief holds that dancing and rejoicing in mid-winter not only brings comfort but also invites prosperity and happiness for the year ahead. Today, the carnival attracts travellers from across India who wish to experience Shimla’s unique festive charm in the snow.
• Festival Highlights: The Ridge is transformed into a wonderland of lights and cultural performances, with folk troupes showcasing Natti, Kayang, and Lahauli masked dances. Snow sculpture competitions display creativity, while food stalls serve winter delicacies like thukpa, tingmo, and siddu. Bollywood artists and rock bands add a modern touch, and adventure sports like snow biking and ice climbing bring energy to the festival.
• Experiences to Look For: Build snowmen with locals, join traditional bonfire gatherings, and savour special carnival meals featuring dishes from across Himachal. End your visit with the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks and the grand cultural parade on January 1.

Sipi Fair

• When: It takes place typically in mid-May.
• Where: Sipur village near Mashobra, about 15 km from Shimla.
• Origins & History: The Sipi Fair is dedicated to Sip Devta, a local deity believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. According to legend, the valley once suffered from drought until a sage struck his trident into the ground, creating a spring that saved the community. In gratitude, villagers began holding this annual fair, which continues today as both a religious observance and a community celebration marking the start of agricultural preparations before the monsoon.
• Festival Highlights: The event begins with rituals at the Sip temple, where the deity’s palanquin is decorated and carried in procession. Archery competitions using bamboo bows are a major attraction, while women perform traditional Natti dances accompanied by dhol and nagara. Wrestling bouts, folk storytelling, and stalls selling bamboo crafts and herbs add vibrancy. Local delicacies prepared for the fair make it a true cultural feast.
• Experiences to Look For: Witness dawn prayers illuminated by hundreds of oil lamps, try traditional archery, and enjoy community meals served on leaf plates. Don’t miss the balladeers singing ancient folk tales beneath towering deodar trees, adding magic to the fair’s rural charm.

Bhoj Fair

• When: November, usually in the second week, with dates varying according to the lunar calendar.
• Where: Guman village in Rohru tehsil, about 115 km from Shimla.
• Origins & History: The Bhoj Fair is dedicated to Bhoj Devta, considered the spiritual protector of the valley. Local lore tells of a time when wild animals threatened the villages until Bhoj Devta appeared in a dream to a village elder, guiding the community to perform rituals for peace and prosperity. The fair also coincides with the apple harvest season, serving as a thanksgiving celebration for abundance and protection against natural calamities. Over time, it has become one of the most important traditional gatherings in the region.
• Festival Highlights: The fair runs for three days, beginning with the arrival of multiple deities in decorated palanquins. A highlight is the Devta Milan, where palanquins bow to each other in reverence. The nights are filled with devotional singing, storytelling, and folk dances. Shamans known as gurs enter trances to deliver prophecies for the year ahead. Local markets bustle with woollens, silver ornaments, and herbal medicines.
• Experiences to Look For: Witness the sacred exchanges between gurs, join in large communal Natti dances, taste the traditional dham feast, and shop for authentic handwoven pattus and jewellery that reflect Himachali craftsmanship.

Lavi Fair

• When: It’s held in November every year.
• Where: Rampur Bushahr, located on the banks of the Sutlej River, about 120 km from Shimla.
• Origins & History: The Lavi Fair has its roots in a 17th-century trade treaty between Raja Kehri Singh of Bushahr and Tibet. Rampur became a crucial hub for Indo-Tibetan commerce, with caravans bringing wool, salt, and horses from Tibet while traders from India sold grains, textiles, and spices. Even after the closure of cross-border trade in the 1960s, the fair continued as a symbolic celebration of commerce and cultural exchange, preserving its legacy as one of Himachal Pradesh’s most historic events.
• Festival Highlights: The fair opens with Buddhist monks offering prayers for prosperity. Traders set up stalls selling chilgoza pine nuts, Kinnauri shawls, woollens, and Tibetan artefacts. Cultural evenings feature Kayang dances, Buddhist Cham masked performances, and Rampur’s unique Natti style. Traditional horse processions and competitions like wrestling and archery draw large crowds, while the night markets glow with activity.
• Experiences to Look For: Shop for rare handicrafts directly from artisans, enjoy inter-state folk dance competitions, and attend midnight cultural programs under starlit skies. The fair offers a unique blend of heritage, trade, and celebration that few other events in Shimla can match.

Himachal Pradesh Winter Sports Festival

• When: December to February, during the peak snowfall season.
• Where: Kufri and surrounding slopes, about 20 km from Shimla.
• Origins & History: The Winter Sports Festival in Kufri was launched in the 1980s to highlight the region’s snow-covered slopes as a hub for adventure activities. Inspired by Himachal’s martial traditions, such as Thoda, where warriors once trained in snowy terrain, the festival evolved into a modern showcase of skiing, snowboarding, and snow-based sports. Over the years, it has gained popularity among tourists, establishing Kufri as one of India’s most exciting winter destinations.
• Festival Highlights: The festival features skiing and snowboarding competitions, with national-level athletes demonstrating techniques. Adventure seekers can try sledging, tobogganing, and even yak rides on snow. Ice sculpture contests add an artistic touch, while bonfire evenings with Himachali music and dance create a cultural balance. Food stalls serve steaming siddu, rajma chawal, and hot chai, keeping visitors warm amidst the chill.
• Experiences to Look For: Beginners can take skiing lessons on gentle slopes, while families enjoy snowman-building competitions and toboggan rides. Sunrise ski sessions at Mahasu Peak are unforgettable, offering panoramic views bathed in golden light. Evenings end with bonfires, storytelling, and folk performances in the crisp mountain air.

Christmas in Shimla

• When: December 24–26, with celebrations often extending through the New Year.
• Where: Christ Church, The Ridge, and Mall Road.
• Origins & History: Christmas in Shimla dates back to the colonial era, centred around Christ Church, built in 1857 to serve the British community. Over time, the festival grew into a city-wide celebration enjoyed by all communities. Local legends tell of a miraculous snowfall on Christmas Eve in 1891 that saved the town from drought, strengthening the holiday’s symbolic importance. Today, Christmas here blends colonial heritage with Himachali hospitality.
• Festival Highlights: Christ Church holds midnight mass, attracting thousands of devotees and visitors. The Ridge glows with fairy lights, decorated trees, and stalls selling cakes, cookies, and handicrafts. Carol singers fill Mall Road with festive music, while bakeries compete in Christmas cake displays. Community Christmas trees invite people to hang wishes and messages of hope.
• Experiences to Look For: Attend the children’s nativity play at Christ Church, join heritage walks exploring colonial churches, and shop for wooden decorations at Lakkar Bazaar. Carol singing at Scandal Point brings locals and visitors together, while festive dinners at hotels and cafés serve both English puddings and Himachali specialities for a unique Christmas experience.

Travel Tips for Experiencing Shimla's Festivals

• Best Times to Visit: Summer festivals (May-June) offer pleasant weather and flower blooms, while winter celebrations (December-February) provide snow and Christmas magic
• Essential Packing: Heavy woollens for winter festivals, light jackets for summer events, comfortable walking shoes, cameras with extra batteries (cold drains power quickly)
• Advance Bookings: Reserve accommodations at least 4-6 weeks ahead for major festivals; confirm transportation arrangements as local taxis become scarce
• Cultural Sensitivity: Remove footwear at religious sites, seek permission before photographing ceremonies, dress modestly at traditional fairs
• Weather Preparedness: Carry umbrellas for unexpected summer showers, hand warmers for winter events, sunscreen for daytime activities at high altitude
• Stay Connected: Download offline maps as network connectivity varies; keep emergency contacts handy
• Club Mahindra Advantage: Members enjoy priority bookings, special festival packages, and organised tours to festival venues with local guides

Where to Stay: Club Mahindra Resorts in Shimla

Shimla’s festivals are best experienced when you stay close to the celebrations while enjoying comfort and authentic Himachali charm. Club Mahindra resorts in Shimla provide the perfect base, blending warm hospitality, modern amenities, and curated activities that enhance every festive journey.

• Club Mahindra Mashobra is a serene resort in Shimla surrounded by deodar forests. It is ideal for families visiting the Sipi Fair or the Kufri Winter Sports Festival. Guests can relax in cosy rooms with valley views, savour local delicacies at the multi-cuisine restaurant, and let children enjoy the Happy Hub while parents rejuvenate at the spa.
• Club Mahindra Kandaghat brings colonial-style elegance to your holiday. Located just 30 kilometres from The Ridge, this resort in Shimla offers easy access to the Summer Festival and Winter Carnival. Its evening bonfires, cultural programs, and peaceful setting allow guests to celebrate Shimla’s vibrant festivals while escaping the city crowds.
• Club Mahindra Pristine Peaks Naldehra is nestled among apple orchards and pine forests. During festival seasons, this resort in Himachal Pradesh organises Himachali cultural evenings, cooking classes, and guided tours to nearby fairs, ensuring an immersive experience.

The resorts in Himachal Pradesh ensure that every festive journey is not just comfortable but also memorable and truly enriching. To experience vibrant festivals in Himachal and so much more, invest in a Club Mahindra membership. Plan your festive escape with Club Mahindra membership today and enjoy curated experiences and unforgettable family holidays.

Conclusion

Shimla’s festivals showcase a vibrant blend of tradition and celebration, turning the hill station into a cultural stage year-round. From skating on Asia’s oldest ice rink to joining folk dances and village fairs, every experience is unforgettable. Staying at resorts in Shimla by Club Mahindra ensures these festive journeys are comfortable, memorable, and filled with authentic Himachali warmth.