PANAJI
The three-day Spirit of Goa Festival 2026 will be held at Colva from April 24 to 26, celebrating Goan cuisine, local spirits, music and craftsmanship, while offering visitors an immersive cultural experience rooted in the state’s heritage.
In a statement issued, the Tourism Department said that the festival will highlight Goa’s traditional food and beverage culture, with special emphasis on local delicacies and the state’s heritage drink, Feni.
Visitors can explore a variety of food stalls, enjoy live cooking sessions and interact with distillers to learn about traditional distillation practices.
The festival will open with a performance by the Kanta Gawde Traditional Dance Troupe, featuring a graceful lamp dance following the inauguration ceremony.
Goa Tourism has also lined up a vibrant musical programme across all three days. Day 1 will feature Junktion, Shine On Band and Danceophilia Band. Day 2 will see performances by 24K India Band, Crimson Band and Big City India Band. Day 3 will include Lynx Band, Pure Magic Band and Truly Yours Band.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the festival has emerged as a marquee event in Goa’s tourism calendar, showcasing the state’s rich culinary and cultural traditions beyond conventional tourism.
“The initiative also aims to strengthen community participation and encourage visitors to experience Goa in a more meaningful way,” he said.
Dedicated spaces will be provided for artisans and local entrepreneurs to showcase handicrafts, textiles and homegrown products. Workshops, mixology sessions and cultural demonstrations are also expected to enrich the overall visitor experience.
