Every December, the Konark Sun Temple becomes the backdrop for one of India’s most atmospheric cultural events — the Konark Dance Festival, five evenings of classical dance performed in the open air against the floodlit 13th-century monument. If you’re visiting Odisha in early winter, it’s well worth planning around.
What the festival is
The Konark Dance Festival showcases India’s classical dance traditions — Odissi (Odisha’s own graceful classical form), along with Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Chhau and others — performed by leading artists and troupes from across the country. The setting is the whole point: an open-air auditorium beside the Sun Temple, with the carved stone chariot lit up behind the stage.
Running alongside it on nearby Chandrabhaga Beach is the International Sand Art Festival, where sculptors create elaborate sand artworks — an easy add-on during the day before the evening performances.
When it’s held
The festival takes place in early December, typically 1–5 December, in the evenings (performances usually begin around 6:30–7:00 PM). Exact dates and the programme are announced by Odisha Tourism each year, so confirm the current year’s schedule before finalising travel. December also happens to be peak season for Odisha travel — pleasant weather, and the best time to pair the festival with wider sightseeing.
How to plan your visit
Because performances run after dark, evening transport is the main thing to sort out:
- From Bhubaneswar — Konark is about 65 km (around 1 hr 40 min). A pre-booked return cab that waits through the performance is the simplest option; see the Bhubaneswar Airport to Konark taxi.
- From Puri — Konark is about 35 km along the scenic Marine Drive (under an hour), making Puri a great base for the festival. See our Puri taxi service.
- Make a day of it — visit the Konark Sun Temple and the sand art on Chandrabhaga Beach during the day, then stay for the evening performance.
Combine it with a wider Odisha trip
Early December is ideal for a full Golden Triangle loop. Pair the festival with Puri and Bhubaneswar on our Puri–Konark Golden Triangle Day Tour, or read the Odisha Golden Triangle itinerary to plan the surrounding days. The Konark destination guide has more on the temple itself.
Booking your festival travel
For the evenings, book a fixed-fare cab that waits for you — you don’t want to be looking for transport at Konark after 9 PM in peak season. Message us your dates and pickup point and we’ll arrange a return trip at a fixed, all-inclusive fare. See the full fixed fare chart to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Konark Dance Festival held?
The Konark Dance Festival is held every year in early December, usually from the 1st to the 5th, in the evenings. Exact dates are announced by Odisha Tourism each year, so confirm the current year's schedule before booking travel.
Where does the Konark Dance Festival take place?
It is held at an open-air auditorium beside the Konark Sun Temple in Konark, about 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 35 km from Puri, with the floodlit temple as the backdrop. A separate international sand art festival runs on nearby Chandrabhaga Beach at the same time.
How do I get to Konark for the festival in the evening?
The festival runs after dark, so a pre-booked return taxi is the most practical option — public transport thins out at night. BBSRCabs runs fixed-fare cabs to Konark from Bhubaneswar and Puri, with the driver waiting through the performance for the return.