Kangra Valley Carnival 2026: Dates, Tickets & Venue

The Kangra Valley Carnival 2026 runs from 24 to 31 December in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh — eight days of concerts, folk performances, sport, a craft bazaar, a drone show and a New Year's Eve finale, organised by the Kangra district administration. It is the biggest of the year's events in Dharamshala, and you will also see it called the Kangra Carnival or the Kangra Winter Carnival.

One thing has changed this year, and it matters: the big music nights are ticketed for the first time.

Planning the week? See what else is on in Dharamshala this December on Gigavent — the carnival is not the only thing running.

Kangra Valley Carnival 2026: quick facts¶

Read this before you buy anything¶

There are two things using almost the same name, and mixing them up is an easy mistake:

• The Kangra Valley Carnival — the eight-day district festival, 24–31 December. Free to attend, as in previous years. Parades, folk troupes, sport, craft stalls, street theatre.
• "Kangra Valley Karnival 2026" — a two-day ticketed music festival on 24 and 25 December, 6–10 PM, listed on District and run by a private company, Accombliss Private Limited.

They're connected — the Deputy Commissioner confirmed in October that entry to the carnival's live concert would be ticketed this year — but a ticket to the two music nights is not a ticket to the carnival, and the carnival itself doesn't need one.

Tickets are not on sale yet. The District listing only offers pre-registration for early access when the sale opens.

⚠️ The concert venue is described differently in different places — "Sports Stadium, Dharamshala" on the ticket listing, and Dharamshala's international cricket stadium in October news reports. Check which one before you travel.

Here for the music? The two ticketed nights are the headline, but there's live music on around Dharamshala all week.

What's confirmed for 2026¶

• 24–31 December, eight days, announced by the DC in September 2026
• The carnival runs under the Chief Minister's directions, with the Kangra district administration organising
• Live concerts will be ticketed this year, a first
• Two ticketed nights listed: 24 and 25 December, 6 PM to 10 PM
• Purpose stated by the administration: boost winter tourism and give local artists, artisans and self-help groups a platform

What to expect, based on the 2025 carnival¶

The 2026 programme isn't out. Last year's eight days looked like this, and the shape rarely changes much:

• Opening day — puja at the Hanuman Temple, Kacheri Adda, then a parade of folk troupes and tableaux in traditional dress
• A marathon — the Dharamshala Marathon ran inside the carnival, starting at 6:30 AM
• A literature festival at the Government College auditorium
• Miss and Mrs Kangra Valley Carnival contest at Zila Parishad Hall, open to ages 18–45
• A cycle ride through Dharamshala
• Cricket and football matches
• Evening concerts every night, with Bollywood, Punjabi and Himachali artists
• A drone show, fireworks and hot air balloons
• A Millets Festival and craft bazaar, with stalls for local artisans, women's groups and youth groups
• Anti-drug awareness street shows at Fountain Chowk, Gandhi Chowk, Kacheri Adda and Sheela Chowk
• 31 December — New Year's Eve finale with fireworks
• Events were live-streamed on social media for people who couldn't attend

Who played in 2025: Ankit Tiwari, Babbu Maan, Kanwar Grewal, Kuldeep Sharma, Karnail Rana and rapper Paradox, plus Himachali artists. The 2024 edition had Satinder Sartaj, Maninder Buttar and Thaikkudam Bridge. That's the level to expect.

Don't want to miss the line-up drop? Keep Gigavent on your phone — Dharamshala events land there as they're announced.

Entry rules for the ticketed nights¶

From the official ticket listing:

• Ages 3 and above allowed in; tickets needed from age 8
• Photo ID required — Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence or passport
• No parking at the venue. Plan how you're getting there
• Food and drink on sale inside, veg and non-veg, alcohol available
• No pets
• No wheelchair access
• First aid and an ambulance on site

What still hasn't been announced¶

• The 2026 artist line-up. Nothing named yet
• Ticket prices for the two music nights
• The day-by-day programme for the other six days
• The main carnival venue. In 2025 it was the Police Ground, Jawahar Nagar
• Any traffic or parking plan for the town

The district has published late before — the 2025 schedule only appeared the week prior. If you're travelling in, book flexibly.

The marathon sits inside the carnival¶

The Dharamshala Marathon runs on 27 December 2026, in the middle of the carnival week, at SAI Stadium. Five distances from a 3 km fun run to a full 42.195 km. Entries close 13 December and it's a separate registration from anything carnival-related.

If you're up for the carnival anyway, it's the easiest thing to add to the week.

Getting there and staying¶

• Nearest airport: Gaggal (Kangra), about 13 km from Dharamshala
• Nearest major rail: Pathankot, then road
• McLeod Ganj is roughly 9 km uphill from lower Dharamshala — about 30 minutes by taxi
• Book early. 24–31 December is the single busiest week of the year here. Christmas-to-New-Year rooms in McLeod Ganj go months ahead
• It's cold. Single digits at night in late December, colder if you're up in McLeod Ganj

Worth knowing what December is actually like in Dharamshala before you pack, and there's plenty to see nearby on the days you're not at the ground.

Going on your own? Plenty of people do. See what other events in Dharamshala are on that week on Gigavent — or post that you're heading up and find others doing the same.

Frequently asked questions¶

When is the Kangra Valley Carnival 2026? The Kangra Valley Carnival 2026 runs from 24 to 31 December 2026 in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. It is an eight-day festival organised by the Kangra district administration.

Is the Kangra Valley Carnival free? The carnival itself has been free to attend in past years. For 2026, the live music nights on 24 and 25 December are ticketed for the first time, listed separately as "Kangra Valley Karnival 2026". A concert ticket is not required for the rest of the carnival.

Where is the Kangra Valley Carnival held? The carnival is held in Dharamshala in Kangra district. The 2025 edition used the Police Ground at Jawahar Nagar, and the 2026 ticketed concerts are listed at a Dharamshala stadium. The main 2026 venue has not been confirmed.

Who is performing at the Kangra Valley Carnival 2026? The 2026 line-up has not been announced. The 2025 carnival featured Ankit Tiwari, Babbu Maan, Kanwar Grewal, Kuldeep Sharma, Karnail Rana and Paradox, alongside Himachali folk artists.

Is the Kangra Winter Carnival the same as the Kangra Valley Carnival? Yes. The same Dharamshala festival is reported as the Kangra Valley Carnival, the Kangra Carnival and the Kangra Winter Carnival. The official name used by the district administration is Kangra Valley Carnival.

What happens at the Kangra Valley Carnival? Expect evening concerts, a folk parade, a marathon and cycle ride, cricket and football matches, a literature festival, a drone show, fireworks, hot air balloons, a Millets Festival and a craft bazaar, ending with a New Year's Eve finale on 31 December.

Coming up for it? See what's on that weekend and make the trip worth the drive.