Goa Events Calendar: November & December 2026

The rains have packed up, the shacks are back, and Goa's calendar is filling fast. Here are the dates worth blocking for the rest of the year.

November

IFFI — 57th International Film Festival of India — 20–28 November

India's biggest film festival returns to Goa, centred on Panjim. Expect international premieres, masterclasses with filmmakers, and red-carpet evenings along the Mandovi. Delegate passes cost ₹1,180 and are open now on the official IFFI site. Read our IFFI 2026 guide.

Novena of St Francis Xavier — from late November

Nine days of prayer at Old Goa lead up to the feast. The Basilica of Bom Jesus and the surrounding lawns slowly fill with pilgrims and stalls.

December

Feast of St Francis Xavier — 3 December

One of the biggest days in Goa's year. Masses run from early morning at Old Goa, and the feast fair outside is the place for khaje, chonne and kitchenware you didn't know you needed. Go early, park far, walk in.

Serendipity Arts Festival — 13–20 December

Panjim becomes one big gallery for a week — visual art, music, theatre, dance, craft and culinary arts spread across venues by the river. Most events are free; popular ones need advance registration, so keep an eye on the festival's schedule.

Goa Liberation Day — 19 December

A state holiday marking the end of Portuguese rule in 1961, with official ceremonies in Panjim.

Christmas & New Year — 24–31 December

Midnight Mass, stars on every balcony, kuswar on every table and parties from Vagator to Palolem. Book stays and cabs early — this is the busiest week of the year.

Tech & startup events

For conferences, meetups and hackathons, see the full calendar at Startup Goa.

Dates are correct at the time of writing — always check with organisers before you travel. Running an event in Goa? Use the form on our homepage to tell us about it.