Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2026, Famous Fairs List 

The Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands reflect the Union Territory’s cultural diversity, tribal heritage and tourism based identity. Although the islands do not have many traditional regional festivals, they celebrate tourism, history, religion and community life through various cultural events. Festivals are organised by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, local communities and different organisations to promote cultural harmony, preserve traditions and introduce visitors to the islands’ unique heritage, arts, music and customs.

Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2026

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to people from different religions, communities and ethnic backgrounds who celebrate festivals together with harmony. Andaman and Nicobar Islands originally had six indigenous tribes: Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompens. Among them, Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, Sentinelese and Shompens are recognised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Cultural celebrations, national events and tourism Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands also highlight this rich diversity.

List of Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2026

There are several religious, cultural and tourism Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands that showcase local traditions, tribal heritage, history, performing arts and communal harmony throughout the year.

Island Tourism Festival of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• The most popular festival of the islands is organised annually by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for about 10 to 15 days during December and January across Port Blair, Wimberlygunj, Wandoor, Neil, Havelock, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hut Bay, Car Nicobar, Kamorta and Campbell Bay.
• The festival includes folk dances, music concerts, drama performances, exhibitions, art displays, aqua sports, parasailing, scuba diving, canoe races, puppet shows, magic shows, floating restaurants, baby shows and dog shows while promoting the islands’ tourism, culture and traditions.
• Reputed music bands, singers, dancers and performers from mainland India participate alongside artists from the East Zone Cultural Centre and South Zone Cultural Centre, making it one of the largest cultural celebrations of the Union Territory.

Beach Festival of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• This tourism focused festival is celebrated for three days and presents beach based cultural programmes, entertainment activities and performances that introduce visitors to the natural beauty and cultural traditions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Music Festival / Monsoon Festival of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Organised over three days, this festival celebrates music and cultural performances during the monsoon season and provides a platform for local artists while attracting visitors through cultural entertainment.

Food Festival of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Celebrated for four days, the festival highlights the diverse cuisines of the islands by presenting traditional dishes and local food culture prepared by different communities living across the Union Territory.

Film Festival of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• The Film Festival promotes cinema and cultural exchange by organising screenings and cultural programmes that support tourism and encourage appreciation of artistic expression in the islands.

World Tourism Day Celebration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Every year on 27 September, World Tourism Day is observed with cultural programmes, exhibitions and awareness activities that promote tourism, local arts, traditional crafts and the cultural identity of the islands.

Subhash Mela

• This week long cultural festival is organised every January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and also remembers his historic association with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through cultural performances.

Vivekananda Mela

• Conducted every January at Neil Island, this fair marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and includes cultural programmes, social activities and community participation.

Block Mela

• Organised at Diglipur during January and February, Block Mela showcases rural development, agricultural progress and the traditional village lifestyle of the islands through exhibitions and public participation.

Janmashtami

• One of the most widely celebrated religious festivals, Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna with devotional songs, bhajans, Raas Leela performances, fasting until midnight, flower decorations, lighting and the distribution of vegetarian prasad among devotees.

Durga Puja and Diwali

• These festivals are celebrated across the islands with local adaptations that reflect the multicultural character of the Union Territory while maintaining traditional rituals, community gatherings and festive decorations.

Christmas

• Christmas is an important celebration, especially among the Nicobarese community, where it is observed with distinctive local customs, traditional practices and community based celebrations reflecting the islands’ cultural identity.

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

• During Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, organised week long celebrations honouring the history, culture and achievements of the islands’ tribal communities. 
• The programme coincided with the national observance launched on 15 November, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

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Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Significance

The key highlighting importance of the Fairs and Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are:

• Cultural events organised during Janjatiya Gaurav Divas highlighted the heritage of the six indigenous tribes- Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompens, while recognising their distinct languages, customs, lifestyles and traditional knowledge developed over centuries.
• Festivals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands strengthen social unity by bringing together people from different religions and communities. 
• Tourism, religious and cultural events collectively preserve local traditions while introducing visitors to the islands’ diverse heritage, performing arts and cultural practices.