College festivals in India are more than just an opportunity for students to showcase their talents—they are a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and community. These festivals, often grand in scale, bring together students from diverse backgrounds to participate in an array of events that range from music and dance to art and intellectual debates. Beyond the competitions, college fests serve as a platform for students to break free from the rigours of academics and engage in holistic experiences, fostering friendships and building memories that last a lifetime. With their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity, college festivals in India have become an integral part of campus life, reflecting the country’s dynamic youth culture and its passion for innovation. Here are 20 popular college events that have secured prominent spots on India’s cultural calendar.
Mood Indigo
Mood Indigo, IIT Bombay’s renowned annual cultural festival, is a four-day celebration of creativity, music, and competitions. The event has grown over 53 years, attracting massive footfalls and hosting famous personalities such as Deepika Padukone and Vidya Bala among others. With electrifying performances from artists like Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal-Shekhar, it has established a legacy of unforgettable experiences. The 2024 edition, themed ‘An Enigma of Ethnicity’, explores India’s rich cultural heritage, blending tradition with innovation for an immersive experience. The festival stands as a testament to the spirit of artistic expression and youthful exuberance.
Saarang
Saarang, the annual cultural festival of IIT Madras, began in 1974 and is the second oldest college festival in India. This five-day event, organized entirely by students, features a wide array of music, dance, workshops, and lectures. Over the years, Saarang has hosted notable personalities like Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Kamal Haasan among others. The 2024 edition featured Thaikkudam Bridge and Matisse & Sadko, while 2025 will see performances by Ritviz and Mysore Xpress. Saarang continues to be a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture. The festival’s immense popularity has led to increasing global participation, making it a major attraction in India’s cultural calendar. Its legacy of collaboration and artistic expression is reflected in its consistently innovative programming.
Waves
Waves, the annual cultural festival of BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus, is a celebration of music, dance, and art. Spanning over a period of three days, it typically takes place in late October or early November. First held in 2006, the festival evolved from an intra-college event in 2005 into an inter-college festival, attracting participation from colleges across Goa and Mumbai. Waves gained national prominence in 2008 with its Goa-themed “Nirvana” edition and grew further with events like The Worldfest and Sea Rock in 2014. Renowned comedy group TVF has performed at Waves, and major events such as Sunburn and Femina Miss India eliminations have been hosted here.
Rendezvous
Rendezvous, or “The RDV,” is IIT Delhi’s premier cultural festival, held from October 5 to October 8 in 2024. This event attracts close to 2 lakh attendees and participants from more than 1,200 colleges across India, celebrating culture, art, and talent. Known for its mix of competitive and non-competitive events, Rendezvous features signature activities such as Faces of RDV, Fashion Show, Comedy Hunt, Blitzkrieg Beatbox Battle, Rap Battle, and various esports tournaments. In addition to these, the festival hosts workshops, competitions, and talks organized by IIT Delhi’s cultural clubs, including Dance, Debating, Dramatics, and Music Clubs, among others. Each edition of Rendezvous stands as a vibrant showcase of creativity and innovation.
Techfest
Techfest, the annual science and technology festival of IIT Bombay, has been a premier platform for innovation and creativity since its launch in 1998. Designed to showcase the talent and ideas of students, it has grown into a global phenomenon, with the latest edition drawing a footfall of 1.8 lakh. The event spans through three days and features a blend of competitions, workshops, exhibitions, and lectures. Signature highlights include “Technoholix,” an evening display of technological entertainment, and initiatives promoting entrepreneurship. Techfest continues to inspire innovation and collaboration on an international scale.
Shaastra
Shaastra, the annual technical festival of IIT Madras, is a prominent platform for innovation and learning, held over four days and nights in the first week of January. Established in 2000, Shaastra has grown into one of Asia’s largest completely student-run techno-managerial festivals, earning ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Quality Management System. It hosts engineering and science competitions, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, drawing participants from across India. Originating from a suggestion in 1997 to inspire students, its journey began with ‘Pragmaa,’ a precursor event. Over the years, Shaastra has hosted distinguished speakers like Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Dr. Raghuram Rajan, and Arunachalam Muruganantham, and it continues to evolve, showcasing technical brilliance and fostering innovation.
Kshitij
IIT Kharagpur hosts two prominent festivals in its Spring semester: Spring Fest and Kshitij, both of which are flagship events in their respective domains. Spring Fest, regarded as the largest socio-cultural festival managed by students in Asia, takes place annually in January.
On the other hand, Kshitij stands as Asia’s biggest techno-management fest, often scheduled in January or February. With a robust budget surpassing ₹1.5 crore and prize pools of around ₹50 lakh, Kshitij hosts technical workshops, industry-led seminars, guest lectures, and high-stakes competitions. A major highlight of the fest is Robotix, an innovative robotics contest that consistently attracts tech enthusiasts. Both festivals are cornerstones of IIT Kharagpur’s legacy, bringing together students, professionals, and global talent under one roof.
Pragyan
Pragyan, the annual techno-managerial festival of NIT Trichy, has been a cornerstone of innovation and education since 2005. Held over three to four days in the Spring semester, it is one of India’s largest student-led fests, attracting participants from over 60 countries. Pragyan holds prestigious certifications. The event features coding and robotics competitions, workshops, and cultural showcases, with highlights like the panel discussion Crossfire, fostering dialogue between academia, industry, and students. Renowned speakers and industry leaders further elevate the event’s stature. Pragyan continues to inspire young minds to innovate and collaborate on a global stage.
Malhar
Malhar, the annual cultural festival of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, has been a vibrant student-led event since its inception in 1979. Known for its mascot, ‘Puddles’ the frog, the festival features literary, performing arts, and fine arts competitions, alongside engaging workshops. Managed by over 1,200 volunteers and 130 core organizers, Malhar adopts a unique theme each year, such as “Labyrinth” (2011) and “The Multiverse” (2019). It serves as a platform for students to showcase their talent while fostering creativity and collaboration. With themes like “Aurora: Transcending Horizons” (2022), it continues to inspire students to push boundaries and dream big.
Oasis
Oasis, the annual cultural festival of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, is one of India’s oldest and most celebrated events, starting in 1971. Held in late October, the festival runs for 96 continuous hours and is entirely organized by students. With diverse events spanning dance, drama, literature, music, and fashion, Oasis offers something for everyone. Each year, the festival adopts a unique theme; the 2022 edition, “Chapter 50: Demesne of The Lost Gold,” marked its golden jubilee. The event features renowned performances, including acts from artists like Nucleya, Sunidhi Chauhan, and comedians like Samay Raina.
Spring Fest
Spring Fest, also known as SF, is the annual cultural and social festival of IIT Kharagpur, held every January. It began in 1960, making it one of the longest-running college festivals in India. Initially designed as a platform for IIT Kharagpur students to display their talents beyond academics, it has grown to attract participants from across India and beyond. The festival includes over 130 events in categories such as dance, music, literature, drama, and fine arts. Signature events like Nukkad, Shuffle, and Wildfire draw immense competition. The highlight is the Pro Nights featuring renowned national and international artists. With a diverse range of activities, Spring Fest has become a major cultural event, offering students opportunities to showcase their skills and creativity.
Incident
Incident is the annual cultural festival of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, held in March over four days. Established in the 1980s, it has grown into one of the largest fests in India, attracting around 45,000 attendees. The festival features a variety of competitive events, workshops, and performances, with notable pro-shows by famous artists such as Sunidhi Chauhan, Vishal-Shekhar, and Amaal Malik. Key events include the Haute Couture fashion show, musical competitions like Bandish and Pulse, dance contests, beach sports, literature quizzes, and social initiatives like I-Care. Workshops on various creative topics are also offered.
Thomso
Thomso is the annual cultural festival of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, first held in 1982. This vibrant event takes place over three days at the end of October and beginning of November. The 2018 edition saw over 150 events with participation from more than 9,000 students from 200 colleges across India, alongside over 12,000 students from IIT Roorkee. The festival is named after Sir James Thomason, the founder of the Thomason College of Civil Engineering, which later evolved into IIT Roorkee. The fest features a wide array of activities, including performances from prominent artists like Indian Ocean.
Cognizance
Cognizance, the annual technical festival of IIT Roorkee, has grown into one of Asia’s largest tech events since its inception in 2003. Held over three days in March, it attracts students, professionals, and enthusiasts globally, offering more than 200 events, including technical competitions, workshops, guest lectures, and exhibitions. Notable events include robotics competitions like Robo-War, hackathons, and case studies on social and technological issues. Cognizance also hosts B-Street, Finfest, and literature events, alongside collaborations with multinational companies and government bodies. The festival fosters innovation, learning, and networking, embodying IIT Roorkee’s spirit of technological excellence.
Arena
Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) hosts one of the most vibrant and prestigious cultural festivals in India, Arena Fest. Known for its high energy and eclectic mix of events, Arena Fest draws participants from across the country, making it a major highlight of the academic year. The festival showcases a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from music and dance performances to fashion shows, drama, and artistic workshops.
Arena Fest provides a platform for students to explore their creativity and talents through competitions and collaborative performances. In addition to artistic expression, the festival also features intellectual events such as debates and quizzes, encouraging critical thinking and cultural exchange.
Engifest
Engifest, the annual cultural festival of Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi College of Engineering), has been a major event since its inception in 1974. Held over three days in February, it attracts over 1.5 lakh attendees from across the country. The festival features a wide variety of events, including drag racing, car and bike shows, live music performances, and plays addressing social issues. Engifest has hosted renowned artists like Sunidhi Chauhan, Vishal-Shekhar, Sidhu Moosewala, Papon, and Divine. The festival continues to grow in scale, offering an exciting mix of entertainment and youth-driven activities.
Riviera
Riviera is the annual international sports and cultural carnival hosted by the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT). Since its inception in 2002, Riviera has grown into one of India’s largest college festivals, drawing over 30,000 students from more than 650 colleges nationwide. Held every February, the four-day event includes sports competitions, social and cultural activities, and highly anticipated pro-shows featuring prominent artists. Notable performances over the years have included Benny Dayal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Vishal-Shekhar, and Parikrama. Riviera continues to evolve, offering a diverse array of events and fostering creativity and collaboration.
Unmaad
Unmaad is the annual cultural festival organized by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB). Spanning three days, Unmaad features a variety of events including dramatics, music performances, dance, quizzes, debates, street plays, and fashion shows. Over the years, the festival has hosted celebrated artists such as Amit Trivedi, Sunidhi Chauhan, Farhan Akhtar, Zakir Khan, and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. With its vibrant atmosphere, Unmaad has become a premier platform for showcasing artistic talent and creativity.
Alcheringa
Alcheringa, commonly known as “Alcher,” is the annual cultural festival of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati. Launched in 1996 by a group of students, the festival lasts for three days and four nights. It is typically held in late January.
Alcheringa hosts one of India’s largest rock band competitions, Rock-o-Phonix, and is named after the Australian Aboriginal concept of “The Eternal Dreamtime.” In 2002, the festival introduced the concept of four pro-nites with “Alcheringa: Yin and Yang.” The 2006 edition, “Alcheringa: Navras,” marked the debut of an international performance. In 2011, the festival launched its social initiative, ‘Udaan – Giving Flights to Hope.’
Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem is the annual cultural festival of IIM Calcutta, which has grown significantly over the years to become one of the most eagerly awaited college events. The festival has hosted spectacular performances by stars like Amit Trivedi, Nucleya, Indian Ocean, and Kumail Kamra, along with flagship events such as Armageddon, Razmataaz, and more. Carpe Diem also features its own CSR initiative, “Umeed,” focused on social impact.
Spanning through three vibrant days, Carpe Diem offers an unforgettable campus experience with a wide array of events, including Dandiya Night, Pro-Nights, Razmataaz (fashion show), Abhinay (one-act stage play), Euphoria (dance competition), Armageddon (rock band competition), Joka Roadies, photography contests, treasure hunts, street plays, and debates.
