Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Usually February, three days ending on Magh Purnima (lunar calendar)
Rajasthan Tourism began the Desert Festival to bring visitors to Jaisalmer in the cool season, and it now runs over three days around the full moon of the Hindu month of Magh. The programme mixes a procession through the city, competitions such as turban tying and the Mr Desert contest, camel races and polo, and evening performances by Manganiyar and Langa musicians.
The final evening usually moves to the Sam sand dunes, around 40 km west of the city, for music under the full moon. Events and venues are set each year, and the programme has changed from one edition to the next, so check current status before you travel.
We suggest staying outside the city at Suryagarh or at a desert camp, then driving in for the parts of the programme you care about. The daytime events at the stadium are crowded and can be slow; the music in the evening and the morning procession are the parts worth planning around. Hotel rates rise during festival week, so book early.
How to do it well
- Book Jaisalmer rooms 4–6 months ahead for festival week
- Pick the procession and the evening music; skip the long stadium sessions
- Pack warm layers: desert nights in February can fall to around 8 °C
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival
It usually falls in February and runs for three days ending on Magh Purnima, the full moon of the Hindu month of Magh. Exact dates move each year with the lunar calendar and are announced by Rajasthan Tourism. Check current status before you travel, and book hotels as soon as dates are confirmed.
What happens at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival
A procession through the city, contests such as turban tying and Mr Desert, camel races and camel polo, folk dance, and performances by the Manganiyar and Langa musicians of western Rajasthan. The last evening is usually held on the Sam dunes. The programme changes each year, so treat the list as typical rather than fixed.
Is the Desert Festival worth planning a trip around
If you are already drawn to the Thar, yes: it adds music and colour to an excellent month for the desert. If you dislike crowds, visit Jaisalmer in late January or early March instead and ask us to arrange a private evening of Manganiyar music, which many guests prefer.
Where should I stay for the Desert Festival
Suryagarh, about 15 km west of the city, is our first choice: quiet, comfortable and on the road to the dunes. A good desert camp is a second option for one night. Hotels inside the fort are cramped and noisy in festival week, and we avoid them for luxury travellers.
Festival journeys
Routes built around the calendar
