Mauritius is famous not only for its beaches and tropical scenery but also for its rich multicultural heritage. Throughout the year, the island celebrates Hindu, Chinese, Muslim, Christian and other cultural traditions through colourful festivals, religious ceremonies, music, food and community gatherings.
The top festivals in Mauritius 2026 offer visitors an opportunity to experience the island beyond its traditional tourist attractions. The Government of Mauritius officially recognises a number of religious and cultural festivals, including Maha Shivaratree, Chinese Spring Festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Divali, Holi and others.
1. Ganesh Chaturthi – Major Hindu Festival in Mauritius
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the important Hindu festivals in Mauritius, celebrating Lord Ganesha, traditionally associated with wisdom, prosperity and the removal of obstacles. The festival features prayers, cultural activities and processions, with images of Lord Ganesha carried for immersion.
2026 Date: 15 September 2026 according to the amended official public-holiday notice. Government information later stated that the national-level celebrations would take place on 14 and 15 September 2026.
Average Score: ⭐ 99 / 100
Address: Renganaden Seeneevassen Building, 7th Floor, Jules Koenig St, Port Louis, Mauritius
Location: Island-wide, with national-level celebrations in Dagotière
Contact: +2302122112
Website: Ministry of Arts and Culture
Google Business Profile: Ganesh Chaturthi Mauritius
Google Map:
Services / Festival Activities
- Religious prayers
- Ganesh idol ceremonies
- Cultural performances
- Music and devotional programmes
- Community gatherings
- Processions
- Immersion ceremonies
- Traditional food and sweets
- Cultural activities
Insights
Ganesh Chaturthi has a long tradition in Mauritius and is recognised as a national holiday. The National Heritage Fund identifies the festival as a social and religious practice associated particularly with the Indo-Mauritian Marathi community.
In 2026, the Mauritian Government formed a national task force to coordinate preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi, with attention to security, traffic management and other arrangements.
Best For:
Cultural Experiences • Hindu Heritage • Religious Tourism • Photography • Traditional Music & Food
2. Diwali – Festival of Lights in Mauritius
Diwali, also known as Divali, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Mauritius. Homes are decorated with lamps and lights, families prepare traditional sweets and people create colourful rangoli designs. 2026 Date: 8 November 2026
Average Score: ⭐ 98 / 100
Address: Island-wide celebrations; major community celebrations take place across towns and villages
Location: Throughout Mauritius
Contact: +2302122112
Website: Ministry of Arts and Culture
Services / Festival Activities
- Lighting of diyas and decorative lamps
- Rangoli decoration
- Traditional sweets
- Family gatherings
- Religious prayers
- Cultural performances
- Community celebrations
- Traditional food
- Evening light displays
Insights
The Government of Mauritius describes Divali as a major Hindu festival celebrated in October or November and associated with the victory of righteousness over evil. Traditionally, homes are decorated with clay oil lamps, although decorative electric lighting is now also widely used.
For visitors, Diwali provides an excellent opportunity to experience Mauritian Indian heritage, traditional food and neighbourhood decorations.
Best For:
Festival Photography • Cultural Tourism • Traditional Food • Family Experiences • Night-time Celebrations
3. Maha Shivaratri – Grand Bassin Pilgrimage Festival
Maha Shivaratri is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. In Mauritius, it is particularly famous for the pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, where devotees gather for prayers and religious ceremonies.2026 Date: 15 February 2026
Average Score: ⭐ 98 / 100
Address: Grand Bassin / Ganga Talao, Mauritius
Location: Savanne District, Mauritius
Contact: +2302122112
Website: Ministry of Arts and Culture
Services / Festival Activities
- Religious pilgrimage
- Shiva prayers
- Temple ceremonies
- Kanwar processions
- Devotional singing
- Community gatherings
- Religious offerings
- Cultural experiences
Insights
Maha Shivaratri is one of Mauritius’s best-known religious festivals. The Government of Mauritius notes that Hindu devotees traditionally travel to Grand Bassin carrying decorated kanwars and collecting holy water from the lake.
The Government also established a national task force for the 2026 celebrations, covering logistics, safety, traffic management, health services and water supply.
Best For:
Religious Tourism • Cultural Experiences • Photography • Pilgrimage Experiences • Hindu Heritage
4. Chinese Spring Festival – Chinese New Year in Mauritius
The Chinese Spring Festival, commonly known as Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year, is a colourful cultural celebration in Mauritius featuring traditional decorations, family gatherings, food, lion and dragon dances and other cultural activities.2026 Date: 17 February 2026
Average Score: ⭐ 97 / 100
Address: Chinatown and surrounding areas, Port Louis
Location: Port Louis
Contact: +2302122112
Website: Ministry of Arts and Culture
Services / Festival Activities
- Lion dances
- Dragon dances
- Cultural performances
- Traditional Chinese food
- Family celebrations
- Firecrackers
- Decorative displays
- Community events
- Traditional sweets and food
Insights
Chinese New Year is celebrated across Mauritius, while Port Louis Chinatown is one of the most popular areas for experiencing the celebrations. Mauritius Now highlights Chinatown as a location where visitors can often find some of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations on the island.
The Government of Mauritius describes the Spring Festival as a public holiday and highlights traditional red decorations, food, wax cakes and firecrackers as part of the celebration.
Best For:
Chinese-Mauritian Culture • Street Photography • Food Experiences • Lion & Dragon Dances • Family Activities
5. Holi – Festival of Colours in Mauritius
Holi is a lively Hindu festival associated with colours, music, dancing and community celebrations. In Mauritius, it adds a vibrant dimension to the island’s multicultural calendar. 2026 Date: 3–4 March 2026, with the official Government calendar listing Holi as a religious festival with a date that varies.
Average Score: ⭐ 96 / 100
Address: Island-wide celebrations
Location: Various towns and communities across Mauritius
Contact: +2302122112
Website: Ministry of Arts and Culture
Services / Festival Activities
- Colour celebrations
- Music
- Dancing
- Community gatherings
- Traditional sweets
- Family celebrations
- Religious ceremonies
- Cultural performances
- Social events
Insights
Holi is widely known as the Festival of Colours. Mauritius Now describes the celebration as involving singing, dancing and colourful powder, while the Government of Mauritius includes Holi among the country’s important cultural and religious festivals.
For visitors, Holi can be a lively way to experience Mauritian culture, although travellers should respect local customs and participate only in organised or community-appropriate celebrations.
Best For:
Cultural Tourism • Photography • Music & Dance • Family Activities • Traditional Food
Summary Comparison Table
| Rank | Festival | 2026 Date | Average Score | Main Attraction | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ganesh Chaturthi | 15 Sept* | 99/100 | Religious ceremonies & processions | Island-wide / Dagotière |
| 2 | Diwali | 8 Nov | 98/100 | Lights, sweets & rangoli | Island-wide |
| 3 | Maha Shivaratri | 15 Feb | 98/100 | Grand Bassin pilgrimage | Grand Bassin |
| 4 | Chinese Spring Festival | 17 Feb | 97/100 | Lion & dragon dances | Port Louis |
| 5 | Holi | 3–4 Mar | 96/100 | Colours, music & dancing | Island-wide |
Why Mauritius Festivals Are Worth Experiencing
Mauritius has a remarkably diverse cultural calendar. The Government of Mauritius identifies festivals such as Cavadee, Chinese Spring Festival, Christmas, Divali, Easter, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ganesh Chaturthi, Maha Shivaratree and Ugadi among the country’s main religious festivals.
These celebrations allow visitors to experience:
- Traditional Mauritian culture
- Religious traditions
- Local food
- Music and dance
- Community gatherings
- Traditional clothing
- Colourful decorations
- Cultural performances
- Historical traditions
- Multicultural Mauritian identity
How to Plan a Festival Visit in Mauritius
Check the Official Date
Religious festival dates can change because some are calculated according to lunar calendars or depend on religious determinations. Always check official information before planning flights or accommodation.
Respect Religious Customs
Many festivals are religious events rather than tourist attractions. Dress appropriately, follow instructions from organisers and avoid disturbing prayers or ceremonies.
Plan Transportation
Major religious festivals can attract large crowds. Maha Shivaratri, for example, involves a major pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, and government preparations include traffic and safety management.
Explore Local Food
Festivals are a good opportunity to experience traditional sweets, snacks and other foods associated with Mauritius’s different communities.
Carry Appropriate Clothing
For outdoor celebrations, comfortable clothing and footwear are useful. For religious locations, modest clothing is generally the safer choice.
Ranking Methodology
The Top 5 Festivals in Mauritius 2026 were selected using an editorial ranking methodology based on:
- Cultural importance in Mauritius
- Historical significance
- National recognition
- Community participation
- Tourist and cultural interest
- Uniqueness of traditions
- Religious and cultural heritage
- Variety of activities
- Visibility across Mauritius
- Availability of official 2026 information
The scores out of 100 are editorial comparison scores, not official festival ratings. They do not represent government rankings, attendance figures or the quality of individual religious ceremonies.
The Government of Mauritius confirms that festivals form an important part of the country’s multicultural heritage and cultural identity.
Festival Contact & Cultural Information
For general cultural-festival information, visitors can contact the Ministry of Arts and Culture:
Address: 7th Floor, Renganaden Seeneevassen Building, Port Louis, Mauritius
Phone: +230 212 2112
Email: moac@govmu.org
Website: Ministry of Arts and Culture
The Ministry’s stated objectives include preserving cultural heritage, promoting cultural interaction and organising cultural activities for the public.
Final Thoughts
The top festivals in Mauritius 2026 showcase the island’s remarkable cultural diversity. From the spiritual pilgrimage of Maha Shivaratri at Grand Bassin and the vibrant colours of Holi to the lights of Diwali, the traditions of Ganesh Chaturthi and the lively Chinese Spring Festival, each celebration offers a different perspective on Mauritian life.
For travellers planning a cultural trip, these festivals can add a memorable dimension to a Mauritius holiday. However, because many are religious celebrations, visitors should experience them respectfully and check the latest official information before travelling.
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