Manali Winter Carnival 2027: Expected Dates, Venue, Events & How to Reach from Dharamshala

Short answer: The Manali Winter Carnival 2027 dates have not been announced as of 2 November 2026. The last two editions both ran for five days from 20 to 24 January (2025 and 2026, All India Radio), after earlier years that started on 2 January. So expect January 2027, most likely the second half, but do not book around exact dates until the Kullu district administration announces them. The carnival opens with prayers at the Hadimba Devi temple, a tableaux parade to Mall Road, and stage events at Manu Rangshala. Manali is about 230 to 250 km (7 to 9 hours) from Dharamshala.

The Winter Carnival is Manali’s big winter festival: a week of folk dance, parades, music and the Winter Queen contest in the coldest part of the year. If you are spending Christmas and New Year in Dharamshala, it can be the second half of a winter trip. This guide gives what we could confirm on 2 November 2026 and will be updated when the 2027 dates come out.

Manali Winter Carnival 2027: quick facts

When is the Manali Winter Carnival 2027?

Not announced yet. We found no official notice or news report giving 2027 dates when we checked on 2 November 2026. Here is the pattern so far:

Our reading: two years in a row at 20 to 24 January suggests a late-January slot again, but that is not confirmed. Dates are usually reported in Himachal news a few weeks before. Check The Tribune (Himachal) or the Kullu district administration in December, and we will update this page.

What happens at the Manali Winter Carnival?

Based on the 2025 and 2026 programmes reported by All India Radio, ETV Bharat and IANS:

What changed in 2026: ETV Bharat reported no Star Night and no performers from outside Himachal in 2026, because of damage from the 2025 monsoon. Whether star nights return in 2027 is not known.

History: Discover Kullu Manali, a local tourism site, says the carnival was first held in 1977 to promote winter games and local culture. We have not seen this in an official source.

Will there be snow in Manali during the carnival?

Possibly, but not guaranteed in the town. In the last two winters the higher areas got snow first:

• 1 January 2026: fresh snow at the Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Solang Nala and Gulaba (The Tribune).
• 23 January 2026: Manali town’s first snowfall of the season, during the carnival week; only 4x4 vehicles were allowed up to Solang Nala (The Tribune, 25 January 2026).

For snow play, head to Solang Valley, but check the day’s police orders first.

Atal Tunnel and Rohtang caveats:

• Rohtang Pass is shut to tourist vehicles in winter and usually reopens in May.
• After snow, police often stop traffic at Solang Nala or allow only 4x4s towards the Atal Tunnel. In late December 2024, about 2,000 vehicles were stranded at Solang Nala.
• Check our dated Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel status page and local news on the morning you travel.

Our Manali in December and January guide has the full snow record, cold-weather packing list and Christmas traffic advice.

How do I get to the Manali Winter Carnival from Dharamshala?

The usual road route is Dharamshala, Palampur, Baijnath, Mandi, Kullu, Manali. Break the drive at Bir if you have time. Full details are in our Dharamshala to Manali guide; book a Dharamshala to Manali taxi or ask for a winter quote on the taxi page. Winter roads can close after snow or landslides, so keep a spare day.

Can I combine it with the Kangra Valley Carnival in Dharamshala?

Yes, and the dates fit well. The Kangra Valley Carnival 2026 has been announced for 24 to 31 December 2026 in Dharamshala (Kangra Deputy Commissioner, reported by UNI on 30 September 2026). If the Manali carnival keeps its late-January slot, a sample plan:

If the Manali dates turn out to be in early January instead, the two carnivals run almost back to back: leave Dharamshala on 1 January.

Where should I stay for the Manali Winter Carnival?

Stay on or near Mall Road to walk to the parade, Manu Rangshala and the stalls; Old Manali is quieter but its lanes get icy. Ask before you book whether the room is heated, whether heating costs extra, and whether a car can reach the door after snow. Book early: the carnival week is busy.

We list checked hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, not in Manali. For the Dharamshala leg, browse our hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj. For Manali itself, see our Manali travel guide and places to visit in Manali.

What is confirmed and what is not (2 November 2026)