Winter is the busiest season for literature festivals in India, with events from Shillong to Kozhikode between November 2026 and January 2027. Time Out Delhi published a calendar on 6 November, and this guide turns it into a quick planner with venues and entry details.
Quick answer
| Festival | Dates | City |
|---|---|---|
| Shillong Literary Festival | 12 to 14 Nov 2026 | Shillong |
| Dehradun Literature Festival | 27 to 29 Nov 2026 | Dehradun |
| Koshala Literature Festival | 27 to 30 Nov 2026 | Lucknow |
| Bangalore Literature Festival | 11 to 13 Dec 2026 | Bengaluru |
Literature festivals in India: November and December
Also, the Shillong Literary Festival runs from 12 to 14 November at Ward’s Lake. Entry is ₹100 a day, with tickets at the venue counter. We have a separate guide to Shillong Literary Festival dates and tickets.
Also, the Dehradun Literature Festival follows on 27 to 29 November at Doon International School. Read our Dehradun festival guide for entry steps.
Also, Koshala runs from 27 to 30 November at the Lucknow Museum of Heritage and Art in Hussainabad. Tickets are listed on BookMyShow from ₹100. Bangalore Literature Festival is on 11 to 13 December at Freedom Park, free with online registration.
January: the big names
Also, Jaipur Literature Festival is on 14 to 18 January 2027 at Hotel Clarks Amer. General registration starts from ₹200, and student registration is ₹100 for all five days. Friend of the Festival packages start from ₹14,500.
Also, Kerala Literature Festival runs from 21 to 24 January on Kozhikode Beach. Delegate registration is free, while paid passes with extra perks start from ₹999. So, student passes begin at ₹799.
Also, Hyderabad Literary Festival is on 22 to 24 January at Sattva Knowledge City, with free entry and registration on its site. Exide Kolkata Literary Meet follows on 23 to 27 January at Alipore Museum, free and first come, first served.
How to plan your festival season
First, pick the festivals that fit your city or a trip you already plan. Then register early, because free events often fill up. Also check the festival’s own site for final timings, since schedules can change after a calendar is published.
Also, if you travel, book trains and stays soon. January dates for Jaipur and Kozhikode tend to overlap with winter holidays. So, for a Chennai option, see the Chennai Lit Fest guide.
FAQ
Which literature festivals in India are free?
Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata list free entry, though Bangalore needs online registration. Kerala has free delegate registration.
When is the Jaipur Literature Festival 2027?
It is listed for 14 to 18 January 2027 at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur.
Where did these dates come from?
They come from Time Out’s festival calendar. Always confirm with each festival before you book.
