# Kangra Valley Carnival 2026 in Dharamshala: Dates, Venue, Events and Where to Stay

> The Kangra Valley Carnival 2026 has been announced for 24 to 31 December in Dharamshala, according to a UNI report of 30 September 2026 quoting the Kangra Deputy Commissioner. The 2025 edition ran 24 to 31 December at the Police Ground. What is confirmed, what is not, past editions, how it differs from the Dussehra mela, how to reach and where to stay.

- **URL:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/kangra-valley-carnival-2026
- **Category:** Festivals
- **Published:** 2026-10-26
- **Updated:** 2026-10-26
- **Author:** Dharamshala Stay Team
- **Image:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/dharamshala-town.jpg (Dharamshala town spread across green hillsides with the Dhauladhar peaks glowing pink at dusk)

**Short answer:** The **Kangra Valley Carnival 2026** has been announced for **24 to 31 December 2026 in Dharamshala**. Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa gave these dates at a preparations meeting reported by UNI on **30 September 2026**, with an opening concert proposed at the **Dharamshala cricket stadium**. As of 26 October 2026, **no programme, artist line-up, venue plan or entry details have been published**. Last year the carnival ran **24 to 31 December 2025 at the Police Ground** in lower Dharamshala, with eight evenings of music, a marathon, a drone show and a crafts and millets bazaar.

![Dharamshala town spread across green hillsides below the Dhauladhar peaks at dusk](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/dharamshala-town.jpg)

The carnival is the Kangra district administration's own winter festival, and it now lands in the Christmas and New Year week, when Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj are at their busiest. This guide sets out what is confirmed for the **Dharamshala carnival 2026**, what happened at past editions, and how to plan around it. We checked every fact against news reports and the district website on 26 October 2026 and will update this page as the programme comes out.

## Kangra Valley Carnival 2026: Quick Facts

| Question | Answer | Source / status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 dates | 24 to 31 December 2026 (eight days) | Kangra DC, reported by UNI on 30 Sep 2026; announced, no official schedule yet |
| 2026 opening | A concert proposed at the Dharamshala cricket stadium | UNI, 30 Sep 2026; "proposed", not confirmed |
| 2026 main venue | Not announced. In 2025 it was the Police Ground, Jawahar Nagar, lower Dharamshala | Hill Post, 25 Dec 2025; The Tribune, 20 Dec 2025 |
| Organiser | Kangra district administration, led by the Deputy Commissioner | The Tribune, 13 Nov 2025; Hill Post, 25 Dec 2025 |
| Artists for 2026 | Not announced (26 Oct 2026) | Watch local news |
| Entry fee | None mentioned in any report we read, for any edition | Not confirmed |
| From McLeod Ganj | About 9 km to the Police Ground, roughly 30 minutes by taxi | Our Dussehra guide |
| Nearest airport | Kangra Airport, Gaggal, about 13 km and 30 minutes from Dharamshala town | Our taxi route listing |
| Not the same as | The Dussehra mela at the same Police Ground (18 to 24 October 2026, now over) | See below |

## What is the Kangra Valley Carnival?

It is a district-level festival of music, culture, food and sport, run by the **Kangra district administration** in Dharamshala to promote tourism and give a stage to local artists, artisans and self-help groups. Former Mayor Devinder Jaggi told The Tribune in December 2025 that the carnival "has got the official status, courtesy the Chief Minister", and The Tribune described its aim as making Kangra "the tourism capital of the state".

In the 2025 edition, the programme mixed:

- **Evening concerts** by Bollywood, Punjabi and Himachali artists
- **A procession (shobha yatra)** of folk troupes in traditional dress on the opening day
- **Sport:** the Dharamshala Marathon, a cycle ride, and cricket and football matches
- **Drone show, fireworks and hot air balloons**
- **A Millets Festival and a craft bazaar** with stalls for local artisans, women and youth groups
- **Live-streaming** of events on social media

Do not mix it up with the **Shimla Winter Carnival**, a separate event held in Shimla.

## When is the Kangra Valley Carnival 2026?

**24 to 31 December 2026, as announced.** On 30 September 2026, UNI reported from Dharamsala that the Deputy Commissioner had chaired a review meeting, said the carnival would be held from **December 24 to 31**, and asked all departments to begin preparations early for the week-long event. A concert at the Dharamshala cricket stadium was proposed for the inauguration, and other programmes with visiting dignitaries were also planned.

Treat these as the announced dates rather than a fixed schedule. In 2025 the dates moved once: in November 2025 the administration said **21 to 25 December** (The Tribune, 13 Nov 2025), and the carnival actually ran **24 to 31 December**. We will update this page when the district publishes the 2026 programme.

| Detail for 2026 | Status on 26 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates 24 to 31 December | Announced by the DC (UNI, 30 Sep 2026) |
| Opening concert at the cricket stadium | Proposed |
| Main venue (Police Ground or other) | Not announced |
| Day-by-day programme | Not published |
| Singers and bands | Not announced |
| Marathon, sports, stalls | Not announced for 2026 |
| Entry fee or passes | Not announced |

## What happened at past editions?

The carnival has moved around the calendar. It became a Christmas-week event only in 2025, and The Tribune reported in December 2025 that it is being envisioned as "an annual calendar event beginning every Christmas".

| Edition | Dates | Venue and highlights | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 15 to 29 June 2023 | Police Ground, Dharamshala ("Kangra Valley Karnival-2023") | hpkangra.nic.in, past events |
| 2024 | Five days, opening Saturday 28 September 2024 (date worked out from the report) | Procession from the DC office to the Police Ground led by Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar; Nutri-Cereal Food Festival; NIFT craft market; Maninder Buttar on the first night; finale with a drone show, Satinder Sartaj and Thaikkudam Bridge | The Tribune, 29 Sep, 2 Oct and 3 Oct 2024 |
| 2025 | 24 to 31 December 2025 | Police Ground; eight cultural evenings; marathon, literature festival, cycle ride; New Year's Eve finale with fireworks | Hill Post, 25 Dec 2025; The Tribune, 20 Dec 2025; Himachal Headlines, 19 Dec 2025 |

The district website lists the 2025 edition as running from **24 December 2025 to 10 January 2026**, longer than the news reports. We could not confirm what continued after 31 December.

### The 2025 programme, day by day

From Hill Post (25 December 2025) and The Tribune (20 December 2025):

| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 24 Dec | Puja at 3 pm at the Hanuman Temple, Kacheri Adda, then a procession to the Police Ground. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri was chief guest. NZCC dance troupe, Rudra Band, Firdaus Band and comedian Bhavna Pathania |
| 25 Dec | Dharamshala Marathon from 6:30 am, starting and finishing at the Sai Stadium via Kotwali Bazaar and Khaniyara; evening show from 5 pm with Ankit Tiwari and others |
| 26 Dec | Kangra Valley Carnival Literature Festival at the Government College auditorium |
| 27 Dec | Miss and Mrs Kangra Valley Carnival contest at the Zila Parishad Hall, ages 18 to 45 |
| 28 Dec | Dharamshala Cycle Ride; evening given to Himachali artists |
| 24 to 31 Dec | Evening concerts; announced artists included Kanwar Grewal, Babbu Maan and Thaikkudam Bridge; anti-drug awareness shows at Fountain Chowk, Gandhi Chowk, Kacheri Adda and Sheela Chowk |
| 31 Dec | New Year's Eve finale with fireworks (Himachal Headlines) |

The marathon had 3 km, 5 km, 10 km, half and full marathon categories in 2025 (The Tribune, 3 Dec 2025). Whether it returns in 2026 has not been announced.

![Men in Himachali caps dancing the nati in a line at a village fair (photo from Kullu, not the carnival)](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/himachali-nati.jpg)

## Is the carnival the same as the Dussehra mela at the Police Ground?

**No.** Both use the **Police Ground (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Police Ground) in Jawahar Nagar**, lower Dharamshala, which is why people confuse them.

| | Dussehra mela | Kangra Valley Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| When | October, around Vijayadashami. 2026: 18 to 24 October, now over | Late December. 2026: announced for 24 to 31 December |
| What | Ramlila tradition, Ravan dahan with effigies and fireworks, fair rides and stalls | Concerts, procession, marathon and sport, drone show, crafts and millets bazaar |
| Run by | District administration and mela committee | District administration |

For the October festival, read our [Dussehra at the Police Ground guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-dussehra-police-ground). For everything on this winter, see the [events page](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/events) and our [festivals and events calendar](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/festivals-events-calendar-dharamshala).

## How do I reach the carnival from McLeod Ganj and Kotwali Bazaar?

The Police Ground is in the **lower town**, not in McLeod Ganj.

| From | How | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| McLeod Ganj | Taxi, about 9 km, roughly 30 minutes | Book your return before the show ends; late-night taxis are scarce in the holiday week. [Book a taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi) |
| Kotwali Bazaar and Kacheri Adda | A short taxi ride within the lower town (we have not published a checked distance) | In 2025 the opening procession went from Kacheri Adda to the Police Ground |
| McLeod Ganj by Skyway | The ropeway runs between Temple Road, McLeod Ganj and Bypass Road near Kotwali Bazaar (about 1.8 km, about 5 minutes) | Listed hours are 9:30 am to 6 pm, so it will not help after an evening show. See our [Skyway guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-skyway-ropeway-guide) |
| Kangra Airport (Gaggal) | Taxi, about 13 km, about 30 minutes to Dharamshala town | [Gaggal airport to Dharamshala taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/gaggal-airport-to-dharamshala-taxi) |

**Parking and traffic:** no 2026 traffic plan has been published. The Christmas and New Year week is the busiest of winter, and the town roads are narrow, so a taxi is easier than driving yourself.

## Where should I stay for the carnival?

| Area | Good for | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Dharamshala (around Kotwali Bazaar and Jawahar Nagar) | Walking or a short ride to the Police Ground and cricket stadium | [All hotels](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels) |
| McLeod Ganj | Cafes, monasteries and the Christmas and New Year scene up the hill; 30 minutes from the ground | [Hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels) |
| Naddi, Dharamkot, Bhagsu | Quiet, mountain views, best snow chances; furthest from the ground | [Mountain-view hotels](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels/mountain-view) |

Rooms for 24 December to 1 January fill early every year, carnival or not. Read [where to stay in Dharamshala](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-dharamshala) and book as soon as your dates are fixed.

## Christmas and New Year around the carnival

The carnival overlaps with Christmas and New Year's Eve, so you can combine them:

- **Christmas:** for church services, cafes and the holiday week up the hill, see [Christmas and New Year in Dharamshala](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-christmas-new-year).
- **New Year's Eve:** the 2025 carnival ended with fireworks on 31 December. For parties in McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot, read [New Year in McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/new-year-in-mcleod-ganj) and see our [New Year parties page](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/new-year-parties).
- **Weather and snow:** late December is cold, with snow possible higher up but never guaranteed. See [Dharamshala in December and January](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-in-december-january), [McLeod Ganj in December](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/mcleod-ganj-in-december) and our [Himachal snowfall tracker](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/himachal-snowfall-tracker).
- **A winter walk:** day hikes such as Triund are possible in clear weather; check [treks](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/treks) and current rules before you go.

## Tips for the Kangra Valley Carnival 2026

1. **Book rooms now** for the Christmas and New Year week; do not wait for the line-up.
2. **Wait for the official programme** before booking travel around a single concert. Dates moved once in 2025.
3. **Dress for a cold evening outdoors.** Shows run after dark on an open ground.
4. **Fix your ride home** before the evening show, especially if you stay in McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu or Dharamkot.
5. **Follow the district administration and local news** (The Tribune, Hill Post, UNI) for artist and venue announcements.

## What is confirmed and what is not (26 October 2026)

| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates 24 to 31 December, in Dharamshala | Announced by the Kangra DC (UNI, 30 Sep 2026) |
| Opening concert at the cricket stadium | Proposed, not confirmed |
| Police Ground as the 2026 venue | Not announced (it was the venue in 2023 and 2025) |
| Artists, marathon, drone show for 2026 | Not announced |
| Entry fee | Not mentioned in any report we read |
| 2025 dates and programme | Confirmed by several news reports |

We will update this guide as soon as the 2026 programme is published. For other winter plans, see the [events page](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/events).

## FAQs

**When is the Kangra Valley Carnival 2026?**
The Kangra Valley Carnival 2026 has been announced for 24 to 31 December 2026 in Dharamshala. Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa gave the dates at a preparations meeting reported by UNI on 30 September 2026. As of 26 October 2026 the day-by-day programme had not been published.

**Where is the Kangra Valley Carnival held in Dharamshala?**
The 2025 edition (24 to 31 December 2025) was held at the Police Ground in Jawahar Nagar, lower Dharamshala, about 9 km and roughly 30 minutes by taxi from McLeod Ganj. For 2026 an opening concert has been proposed at the Dharamshala cricket stadium; the main venue had not been announced by 26 October 2026.

**Is the Dharamshala carnival the same as the Dussehra mela?**
No. Both use the Police Ground in lower Dharamshala, but the Dussehra mela is in October (18 to 24 October in 2026) with Ravan dahan and fair rides, while the Kangra Valley Carnival is the district administration’s late-December festival of concerts, sport, a procession and a crafts and millets bazaar.

**Who is performing at the Kangra Valley Carnival 2026?**
No artists had been announced for 2026 as of 26 October 2026. In 2025 the announced line-up included Ankit Tiwari, Kanwar Grewal, Babbu Maan and the Kerala band Thaikkudam Bridge, along with Himachali artists.

**Is there an entry fee for the Kangra Valley Carnival?**
None of the news reports we read for the 2023, 2024 or 2025 editions mention an entry fee, and nothing has been published for 2026. We have not been able to confirm whether entry is free, so check the district administration’s announcement before you go.

**Can I combine the carnival with New Year in McLeod Ganj?**
Yes. The carnival is announced for 24 to 31 December 2026, and in 2025 it ended with fireworks on New Year’s Eve. McLeod Ganj is about 30 minutes by taxi from the Police Ground, so book a return taxi in advance; rooms for the Christmas and New Year week fill early.

## Sources

- [Kangra Valley Carnival to be held in Dharamsala from December 24 to 31 (UNI, 30 September 2026; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.uniindia.com/north-india/culture-himachal-kangra-valley-carnival/198184)
- [Past events: Kangra Valley Karnival-2023 and Kangra Valley Karnival-2025 (District Kangra, official site; checked 26 October 2026)](https://hpkangra.nic.in/past-events)
- [Kangra Winter Carnival at Dharamshala kicks off with grand procession (Hill Post, 25 December 2025; checked 26 October 2026)](https://hillpost.in/2025/12/kangra-winter-carnival-at-dharamshala-kicks-off-with-grand-procession/168092/)
- [Kangra carnival in Dharamsala to dazzle with drone shows, musical evenings (The Tribune, 20 December 2025; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/kangra-carnival-in-dharamsala-to-dazzle-with-drone-shows-musical-evenings/)
- [Dharamshala set to dazzle with Kangra Valley Carnival (Himachal Headlines, 19 December 2025; checked 26 October 2026)](https://himachalheadlines.com/news/dharamshala-set-to-dazzle-with-kangra-valley-carnival/)
- [Kangra Valley Carnival to be held in Dharamsala from December 21-25 (The Tribune, 13 November 2025; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/kangra-valley-carnival-to-be-held-in-dharamsala-from-december-21-25/)
- [Sukhu unveils Dharamsala Marathon T-shirts (The Tribune, 3 December 2025; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/sukhu-unveils-dharamsala-marathon-t-shirts/amp)
- [Food, fun and more: Kangra Valley Carnival gets off to colourful start (The Tribune, 29 September 2024; checked 26 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/food-fun-more-kangra-valley-carnival-gets-off-to-colourful-start/amp)
- [Goma: carnival reflects CM’s vision to promote Kangra as tourism hub (The Tribune, 2 October 2024; checked 26 October 2026)](https://tribuneindia.com/news/goma-carnival-reflects-cms-vision-to-promote-kangra-as-tourism-hub)
- [Sartaj casts spell on last day of carnival (The Tribune, 3 October 2024; checked 26 October 2026)](https://tribuneindia.com/news/sartaj-casts-spell-on-last-day-of-carnival)

---

From Dharamshala Stay (https://www.dharamshalastay.com). Contact: +91-98057-00665, hello@dharamshalastay.com