Dharamshala Stay
Golden Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama Temple) in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala

Dharamshala Events 2026-27: Dates and Stay Packages

Short answer: The next big events in Dharamshala are Dharamshala International Film Festival (29 Oct 2026), Kangra Valley Carnival (24 Dec 2026), Snow season in McLeod Ganj, Naddi and Triund (1 Jan 2027). We put together the hotel, airport or bus pickup and local taxi for each one, quoted for your dates. Dates below are checked against official sources, and we say clearly which ones are not confirmed yet.

New Year party in Dharamshala 2026: tickets openNYE Gala Night at Panchvati Cottages, 31 December, gates 7 pm. Book online with 5% off, from ₹500.See tickets

What events are coming up in Dharamshala?

Dates checked 20 Oct 2026. Confirmed = announced by the organiser; Expected = from published calendars, not yet announced.

EventDatesWhereStatus
Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) 202629 Oct 2026 to 1 Nov 2026Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), Upper DharamshalaConfirmed
Kangra Valley Carnival 202624 Dec 2026 to 31 Dec 2026Dharamshala (opening concert proposed at HPCA Stadium)Expected date
Snow season in McLeod Ganj, Naddi and Triund1 Jan 2027 to 28 Feb 2027McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot, Naddi, TriundEvery year
Losar (Tibetan New Year) 20277 Feb 2027Tsuglagkhang (Main Tibetan Temple), McLeod GanjExpected date
Long Life Prayer for the Dalai Lama24 Feb 2027Tsuglagkhang (Main Tibetan Temple), McLeod GanjConfirmed
Chaitra Navratri 2027 at Chamunda Devi and Jwalaji7 Apr 2027 to 15 Apr 2027Chamunda Devi, Kangra Devi (Brajeshwari) and Jwalamukhi templesExpected date
Saga Dawa Duchen 202720 May 2027Tsuglagkhang and the Lingkor kora path, McLeod GanjExpected date
Dalai Lama’s birthday (6 July)6 Jul 2027Tsuglagkhang (Main Tibetan Temple), McLeod GanjEvery year
Former entrance of the Tibet Museum at the Tsuglagkhang Complex, McLeod Ganj
Confirmed29 Oct 2026 to 1 Nov 2026

Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) 2026

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), Upper Dharamshala. About 2 km from McLeod Ganj; four screening venues on the TCV campus.

The 15th edition of the independent film festival in the hills: Indian and international films, talks and filmmaker Q&As over four days.

Film festival stay package · 3-4 nights

  • Hotel near TCV or McLeod Ganj
  • Pickup from Gaggal airport or the Dharamshala bus stand
  • Daily taxi to TCV on request
  • Help with festival passes (bought on the DIFF site)
Get a quote for this

Source: Time Out India: DIFF 2026 passes on sale · Our guide

Buildings of McLeod Ganj stacked along a forested hillside above the Kangra Valley
Expected date24 Dec 2026 to 31 Dec 2026

Kangra Valley Carnival 2026

Dharamshala (opening concert proposed at HPCA Stadium). HPCA Stadium is in Dharamshala town, about 1.5-2 km below Kotwali Bazaar and 8-10 km by road from McLeod Ganj.

A week of music, food and culture across Dharamshala over Christmas and New Year, announced by the Kangra district administration.

Christmas and New Year week package · 3-7 nights

  • Hotel in McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot or Dharamshala town
  • Airport or bus stand pickup and drop
  • A local sightseeing day by taxi
  • Optional Triund trek or paragliding
Get a quote for this

Dates from one news report; the final programme is not out yet. Hotels fill early for 24-31 December, so ask soon.

Source: UNI: Kangra Valley Carnival plans · Our guide

Snow-covered Dhauladhar peaks above Naddi village near McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala
Every year1 Jan 2027 to 28 Feb 2027

Snow season in McLeod Ganj, Naddi and Triund

McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot, Naddi, Triund. Snow usually reaches McLeod Ganj and Naddi a few days each winter; Triund and the Dhauladhar get it every year.

January and February give the best chance of snow at McLeod Ganj and Naddi; the Dhauladhar range above stays white all winter.

Snow weekend package · 2-3 nights

  • Heated room with a valley or mountain view
  • Taxi that knows the winter roads (4x4 on request)
  • Snow alert: we message you when snow is forecast
  • Flexible dates where the hotel allows
Get a quote for this

Snow is never guaranteed. See our dated snowfall log before you book.

Source: Dharamshala Stay snowfall log · Our guide

Strings of Tibetan prayer flags among cedar trees on the trail to the Tibetan Flags Temple above McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala
Expected date7 Feb 2027

Losar (Tibetan New Year) 2027

Tsuglagkhang (Main Tibetan Temple), McLeod Ganj. Temple Road, a 5-minute walk down from McLeod Ganj main square.

Tibetan New Year: prayers at the main temple, families visiting monasteries and homes, and the Tibetan community at its most festive.

Losar in McLeod Ganj package · 3 nights

  • Hotel walking distance from the temple
  • Pickup and drop
  • A monastery day: Tsuglagkhang, Norbulingka and Gyuto by taxi
  • Tibetan food tips from our team
Get a quote for this

Expected date from published calendars; the Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan calendar fixes it. Some shops and restaurants close for the first days.

Source: Office Holidays: Losar dates · Our guide

Golden Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama Temple) in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala
Confirmed24 Feb 2027

Long Life Prayer for the Dalai Lama

Tsuglagkhang (Main Tibetan Temple), McLeod Ganj. Temple Road, McLeod Ganj.

A morning Long Life Prayer offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the main temple, listed on his official schedule.

Temple visit stay package · 2-3 nights

  • Hotel near Temple Road
  • Pickup and drop
  • Early-morning taxi to the temple if you stay further away
  • Advice on security checks and what to carry
Get a quote for this

His official schedule says events are subject to change. Phones and bags are usually not allowed inside; plan to queue early.

Source: dalailama.com schedule · Our guide

Chamunda Devi temple complex and riverside ghat near Dharamshala
Expected date7 Apr 2027 to 15 Apr 2027

Chaitra Navratri 2027 at Chamunda Devi and Jwalaji

Chamunda Devi, Kangra Devi (Brajeshwari) and Jwalamukhi temples. Chamunda Devi about 15 km, Kangra about 20 km and Jwalaji about 55 km from Dharamshala.

Nine nights of Navratri bring large crowds of pilgrims to the Kangra Valley’s Shakti temples.

Navratri temple circuit package · 2-3 nights

  • Hotel in Dharamshala town (closest to the temples)
  • Full-day taxi: Chamunda Devi, Kangra Devi and Jwalaji
  • Early start to beat the queues
  • Pickup from Gaggal airport or Pathankot station
Get a quote for this

Start date from a published panchang; temple timings change during Navratri.

Source: Dekho Panchang: Chaitra Navratri 2027

Tibetan Buddhist monks in maroon robes chanting prayers in Namgyal Monastery, McLeod Ganj
Expected date20 May 2027

Saga Dawa Duchen 2027

Tsuglagkhang and the Lingkor kora path, McLeod Ganj. The kora circles the temple complex below McLeod Ganj.

The holiest day of the Tibetan Buddhist year, marking the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing. Many walk the kora with prayers and offerings.

Saga Dawa stay package · 2 nights

  • Hotel near the temple and kora
  • Pickup and drop
  • A quiet monastery day by taxi
Get a quote for this

Expected date from published calendars; confirm with the Tibetan calendar nearer the time.

Source: Office Holidays: Buddha Purnima / Saga Dawa · Our guide

Golden Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama Temple) in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala
Every year6 Jul 2027

Dalai Lama’s birthday (6 July)

Tsuglagkhang (Main Tibetan Temple), McLeod Ganj. Temple Road, McLeod Ganj.

Celebrated every year on 6 July at the main temple with prayers, cultural programmes and the Tibetan community out in force.

Birthday celebrations package · 2-3 nights

  • Hotel near Temple Road
  • Pickup and drop
  • Monsoon-safe taxi
Get a quote for this

The 2027 programme is not announced, and His Holiness is not always in Dharamshala on the day. July is monsoon season.

Source: Daily Pioneer: 91st birthday in Himachal (2026)

Is there cricket at HPCA Stadium this season?

Not yet. The BCCI 2026-27 home international season runs 27 September 2026 to 3 March 2027 across 17 cities, and Dharamshala is not one of them. IPL 2027 fixtures are not announced. Stadium visitor tours have been closed since 4 May 2026. Tell us in the form that you want a match package and we will write to you when fixtures are out.

HPCA Stadium guide

How do I book an event package?

  1. Send the form with the event, your dates and how many of you are coming.
  2. We reply with two or three hotel options and the taxi plan, with full prices, usually within one working day.
  3. Pick one and book online. Hotel, pickup and taxi are confirmed to you on email and WhatsApp.
HotelsTaxisTreksTravel updatesComing as a group?

Get an event package quote

Free, no obligation. We reply within one working day.

We respond within 2 hours. Your data is secure.

Event package questions

What is included in a Dharamshala event package?

A hotel from our partners near the venue, pickup and drop from Gaggal airport or the Dharamshala bus stand, and local taxi on the days you need it. Treks, paragliding or a monastery day can be added. Each package is quoted for your dates and group, usually within one working day.

Are there cricket matches at HPCA Stadium Dharamshala in 2026-27?

None are announced. The BCCI 2026-27 home international season (27 September 2026 to 3 March 2027) does not include Dharamshala, and IPL 2027 fixtures are not out yet. Send us an enquiry and we will tell you when a match is announced.

When is Losar 2027 in McLeod Ganj?

Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is expected on 7 February 2027. The Tibetan calendar of the Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamshala fixes the date, so confirm nearer the time.

Will the Dalai Lama be at the event?

Only his official schedule at dalailama.com can say. Events there are listed as subject to change, and he is not always in Dharamshala. We never promise an audience or a seat.

When should I book for Christmas and New Year in McLeod Ganj?

As early as you can. 24 to 31 December is one of the busiest weeks of the year, and the Kangra Valley Carnival is planned for the same week in 2026.

Do I pay to send an enquiry?

No. An enquiry is free and you pay nothing until you accept a quote.

Sources