Kankaria Carnival is Ahmedabad’s biggest annual public celebration, held every year from December 25 to December 31 at Kankaria Lakefront in Maninagar. It is completely free to attend. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has been running this event since 2008, and it has grown each year into one of the most-attended civic events in Gujarat. Expect live music, folk dance performances, drone shows, carnival rides, food courts, and fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
The carnival runs for seven nights. Each evening opens around 6 PM and goes until 10 PM. All ages are welcome and the setup is designed for families, though the music and performances draw large crowds of young people too. Parking is generally free at the lakefront grounds.
What is Kankaria Lake?
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Kankaria Lake is a 15th-century stepped reservoir in the Maninagar area of Ahmedabad, built during the reign of Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II in 1451. It is a polygon-shaped lake with 34 sides, covering approximately 76 acres. The lake is Ahmedabad’s second-largest and one of the oldest man-made water bodies in the city.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation redeveloped the lakefront into a recreational zone called Kankaria Lakefront in 2008. The complex now includes a zoo, aquarium, toy train, boating facilities, amusement park rides, a balloon safari, Balvatika children’s park, Nagina Wadi island garden, a butterfly garden, musical fountains, and a food court zone. The carnival uses these permanent facilities plus a large temporary stage and event infrastructure.
For a full visitor guide to Kankaria Lake including timings, entry fees, and all attractions, see our Kankaria Lake complete guide.
Kankaria Carnival 2025 , What happened
Kankaria Carnival 2025 ran from December 25 to December 31, 2025.
Live performers: Kirtidan Gadhvi, Parth Ojha, Geeta Rabari, Brijdan Gadhvi, Ishani Dave, and Rehan Khan headlined the main stage. Stand-up comedy sets by Manan Desai, Om Bhatt, Deep Vaidya, and Chiryau Mistry were held on December 29. December 30 featured a special musical show by Brijdan Gadhvi.
New attractions in 2025: The Dubai Pyro Show brought international fire-and-dance performers to the carnival for the first time. A pet fashion parade was added to the daytime programme. The Bombay Circus clown festival ran across multiple days.
Regular attractions: High-tech drone show with synchronized night sky formations, Kids City zone, the nocturnal zoo, butterfly garden, musical fountain, fish aquarium, amusement rides, juggling performances, tabla recitals, Ramayana-based classical dance, live karaoke, and folk performances from across Gujarat.
Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM daily (gates open early for the lakefront complex, main carnival programme from 6 PM)
Entry fee: Free
Parking: Free at lakefront grounds
Kankaria Carnival 2024 , Highlights
Kankaria Carnival 2024 ran from December 25 to December 31, 2024.
Theme: Developed Gujarat, Developed India. The opening ceremony was built around Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, showcasing traditional dances from across India including Heritage Garba, Ghummar, Bhangra, Bihu, Lavani, and Kathakali.
Live performers: Sairam Dave, Geeta Rabari, and Kinjal Dave performed on the main stage. Ehsas Band and Sarfire Band performed across the week. Stand-up comedy by Manan Desai.
New attractions in 2024: Drone show with synchronized formations creating night sky visuals. Underwater dance show. Human Pyro Show combining fire and acrobatics. Horror House.
Other events: Gujarat Police Arms Exhibition, Senior Citizens Sports Festival, Dog and Horse Shows, Laughing Club gatherings, and Yoga Classes ran as daytime activities.
Kankaria Carnival 2026 , What to expect
The 2026 carnival will run from December 25 to December 31, 2026, at Kankaria Lakefront. The AMC announces the full programme and performer lineup in mid-December each year.
Based on recent years, expect a drone show, at least two nights of headline Gujarati music performances, folk dance from across India, comedy shows, international performance groups, and the usual rides and food courts.
Entry will be free. Parking at Kankaria Lakefront is generally available at no charge during carnival days.
We will update this page with the full 2026 programme when the AMC announces it in December.
How to reach Kankaria Carnival
Address: Kankaria Lakefront, Maninagar, Ahmedabad 380008
From SG Highway or West Ahmedabad: Take the road towards Maninagar. The carnival is well-signposted during the last week of December. Expect 30 to 40 minutes from the western suburbs depending on traffic.
From BRTS: Several BRTS routes pass through or near Maninagar. The bus stops on Maninagar main road are within walking distance of the lakefront.
From Ahmedabad Metro: The nearest metro station is Maninagar on the East-West Line. Auto-rickshaws from the station to the lakefront take about 5 minutes. Check the Ahmedabad Metro guide for routes and fares from your starting point.
By auto-rickshaw: Most drivers know Kankaria Lake. Tell them “Kankaria Carnival” during late December and they will know exactly where to go.
Parking: Free parking is available at the lakefront grounds. During peak evenings (December 30 and 31), parking fills up early. Arriving before 5 PM is advisable if you want to park close to the entrance.
Tips for visiting
The carnival is busiest on December 30 and especially December 31. If you are looking for more Ahmedabad events and festivals, our Garba songs guide covers Navratri which happens two months before the carnival. If you want space to move, the first few days (December 25 and 26) are noticeably less crowded and you can see the same performances with more comfort.
Arrive early on New Year’s Eve. The fireworks happen at midnight but the grounds fill up from 7 PM onwards. Entry remains free but the crowd density on December 31 is very high.
The carnival is safe and well-managed. The AMC deploys additional police including plainclothes officers throughout the week. Families with children should be aware that the main concert area gets dense during headline performances.
Wear comfortable shoes. The lakefront involves a lot of walking and the ground can be uneven near the temporary stalls.
Food courts inside the carnival have a wide variety of Gujarati and non-Gujarati options. Outside vendors also line the access roads. Prices are higher than normal. Expect festival-rate markups on most items.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kankaria Carnival free to enter?
Yes. Entry has been free since the carnival began in 2008. The AMC funds the event as a civic celebration. You only pay for food, rides, and any ticketed attractions within the Kankaria complex itself.
What time does Kankaria Carnival start?
The carnival stage programme typically begins at 7 PM each evening. The lakefront complex opens earlier. On December 31, crowds start gathering from late afternoon.
Who performs at Kankaria Carnival?
The AMC announces the performer lineup in December each year. Recent headliners have included Geeta Rabari, Kinjal Dave, Kirtidan Gadhvi, Sairam Dave, Brijdan Gadhvi, and Parth Ojha. International performance groups and stand-up comedians are also part of the programme.
Is Kankaria Carnival suitable for children?
Yes, it is designed as a family event. Balvatika, the toy train, the zoo, and the aquarium are all part of the complex. Children under 5 may find the late evening crowds too intense. Plan to arrive early and leave by 9 PM if you have very young children.
Does Kankaria Carnival have parking?
Free parking is available at the lakefront grounds. On December 31, parking is limited. The AMC often opens additional parking areas nearby. Check local news in December for parking guidance specific to 2026.
When is Kankaria Carnival 2026?
December 25 to December 31, 2026. Same dates as every year.
For official announcements about Kankaria Carnival 2026, check the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation website in December 2026.
Last verified: March 2026. 2025 carnival details updated with confirmed performer and attraction information.
