10 Epic Festivals To Attend This Year

A place to meet new people, expand your interests and have some great fun, festivals are all the rage these days. From literature to music, yoga to art, everyone can find their own niche and thrive. Here are some festivals that we find particularly exciting and worth travelling for in 2020. Don't forget to mark your calendars. 

Jaipur Literature Festival
The end of January is for literature and literature only. A few days dedicated to the world of words, this fest is often described as the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’. With speakers like Abhijit V Banerjee, Alexandra Pringle, and Amitabh Kant, this year should be no different than the previous successful editions.
When: January 23 to 27.

Sula Vineyard Festival 
In February, head to Nashik along with My Baby, Salim Sulaiman, and The Local Train for some great wine, food, and conversations. A festival of fun, there will be plenty of games, grape stomping, and masterclasses by some talented winemakers. Guests can camp under the clear skies, go to boozy luncheons and enjoy the sheer beauty of the vineyards. Sula is also going green, so while you drink and enjoy, they pledge to plant a tree in your name. 
When: February 1-2.

VH1 Supersonic
This one needs no introduction. Supersonic is every music lover’s fave destination. One of the best ways to discover new music, Supersonic is something fans wait for with bated breath. A hint for the line-up this year? We hear K-pop is going to be a part of it.
When: February 7 to 9. 

Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Safaris, adventure, handicrafts, art, and of course, music. Be it camping or glamping, Rajasthan sets the stage for the Jaisalmer Desert Festival quite splendidly. Held in late February, this fest is the place for bohemian souls. 
When: February 7 to 9. 

International Yoga Festival 
Held in the hills of Rishikesh, the International Yoga Festival is where every yoga-lover should be in March. Attend classes in the morning, followed by meditation and then have some pure satvik food. In the evening, people gather around for bhajans and kirtans. It is a week-long detox for the mind, soul, and body. 
When: March 1 to 7.

KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival
A platform for LGBTQ+ themed movies, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is a way to make these mainstream. To normalise and make people realise the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ society through the medium of cinema. Bollywood is an active participant, and many budding filmmakers are a part of it too. 
When: May 20 to 24.

Tapped
If you are in Pune in August, attend Tapped, one of India’s biggest craft beer festivals. It is a day-long fiesta filled with authentic breweries, beer-friendly food, music, and a play area to keep the kiddos occupied. With over 45 craft beers on offer and several fun games to look forward to, this would be a day to remember.
When: August 4 

Ziro Music Festival
A beautiful valley in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh is home to one of the most enchanting music festivals in the country. Bonus? The valley is actually a Unesco World Heritage Site. And the festival, which usually happens in September, boasts of the best of musical talents, original numbers and a lot of fun.
When: Dates are to be announced.

Kochi Muziris Biennale
Curated by Shubigi Rao this year, the Kochi Muziris Biennale is the best place to promote art and culture. The fifth edition is gearing up to be a hotspot for artists and educators, a platform for experimental art and aesthetics of modern India.
When: December 12 to April 10, 2021

Sunburn, Goa
Asia’s biggest electronic music festival, Sunburn in Goa attracts people from all over the world. Swinging from laidback beach vibes to an intense party mode, Sunburn offers an experience like no other with over-the-top stage productions and visuals. Line-ups in the past have included Like Mike, Martin Garrix and Afrojack. 
When: Dates are to be announced.