Events & Festivals

Mauritius isn’t discovered through its beaches alone. All year round, the island lives to the rhythm of religious festivals, pilgrimages, markets and popular celebrations. If your stay coincides with one of them, don’t miss it — Moris Guide helps you know where to go and when.

📆 The Moris Guide 2026 calendar
Click on a festival ⭐ Unmissable to see all the details
November 2026
🧳 2 November — Arrival of Indentured Labourers ⭐ Unmissable

Commemorates the arrival of indentured labourers, mainly from India. The UNESCO-listed Aapravasi Ghat is the main site of commemoration.

🪔 8 November — Divali ⭐ Unmissable

The festival of lights. Thousands of Hindu homes are decorated with lamps and garlands, symbolising the victory of light over darkness.

Where to stroll in the evening: Triolet, Goodlands, Flacq, Saint-Pierre, Quartier Militaire, Vacoas, Phoenix
December 2026
⛪ 25 December — Christmas ⭐ Unmissable

Christmas at 30°C, surrounded by red flamboyant trees. Church services, family meals, lights and Christmas markets in the shopping centres.

Where: Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice (Cap Malheureux), Grand Baie church, St Louis Cathedral, Caudan Waterfront
January 2027
🎉 1 & 2 January — New Year
🌺 22 January — Thaipoosam Cavadee ⭐ Unmissable

One of the most striking Tamil celebrations. After fasting and spiritual preparation, devotees carry the cavadee in procession; some practitioners perform impressive acts of penance.

Where: Port Louis, Sainte-Croix, Rose-Hill, Quatre Bornes, Midlands, Terre Rouge, eastern regions
Important: this isn’t a tourist show — observe and photograph with discretion and respect.
February 2027
🕯️ 1 February — Abolition of Slavery ⭐ Unmissable

A major date in Mauritian history. Commemorations are particularly symbolic at Le Morne Brabant, a place linked to the memory of the maroon slaves.

🧧 6 February — Chinese New Year ⭐ Unmissable

Dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, music and red decorations. One of the best times to discover the Sino-Mauritian heritage.

Where: Chinatown (Port Louis), Caudan Waterfront, Chinese cultural centres, pagodas
March 2027
🕉️ 6 March — Maha Shivaratri ⭐ Unmissable

“The Great Night of Shiva.” Over several days, thousands of Hindu devotees walk from their villages to reach Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin), a sacred lake. Many are dressed in white and carry kanwars, structures decorated with flowers and colours.

Why go? Even without being a worshipper, the atmosphere is at once festive, spiritual and respectful — stalls hand out free drinks and food to the pilgrims.

Where to watch: Ganga Talao, the road to Grand Bassin, Bois Chéri, La Marie, Vacoas, Curepipe
Tip: the days before the festival are often more interesting than the day itself. Expect traffic disruption.
🌙 10 March — Eid-ul-Fitr* ⭐ Unmissable

Marks the end of Ramadan. Communal prayers followed by family gatherings and meals — biryani often takes pride of place at the celebrations.

Iconic venue: Jummah Masjid, Port Louis
Note: the date can only be confirmed once the moon has been sighted.
🇲🇺 12 March — Independence & Republic Day ⭐ Unmissable

Mauritius became independent on 12 March 1968, then a Republic exactly 24 years later. The Mauritian flag is everywhere; concerts, shows and ceremonies are held across the island.

April 2027
🌿 7 April — Ugadi
May 2027
👷 1ᵉʳ mai — Fête du Travail
September 2027
🐘 5 September — Ganesh Chaturthi ⭐ Unmissable

A celebration of Ganesh. The most spectacular moment comes at the end of the ceremonies, when the statues are carried in procession to the sea to be immersed.

*The date of Eid-ul-Fitr can only be confirmed once the moon has been sighted.

🧺 The markets of Mauritius
To discover real Mauritian everyday life — swipe to see all the markets
🛕 The great religious sites to know
Swipe to discover each site
🎤 Where do the big events happen?
Concerts, craft markets, festivals — these venues host them regularly
🛍️ Bagatelle Mall
Moka — concerts, entertainment, food events, pop-up markets.
🛍️ Grand Baie La Croisette
Regular entertainment, shows and markets in the North.
🎭 Le Caudan Waterfront
Port Louis — music, food festivals, exhibitions, shows, Arts Centre.
🛍️ Phoenix Mall
Centre of the island — retail promotions and family events.
🛍️ Riche Terre Mall
Handy for the North — occasional music or sports entertainment.
🛍️ So’Flo
Floréal — pop-up markets and family events.
🎪 And also, all year round…
Mauritius’s cultural and festive life never stops
🎶 Séga & seggae concerts 🍴 Food festivals 🎨 Craft markets 🏃 Trail runs & races ⛵ Traditional regattas 🐉 Dragon Boat Festival 🎭 Theatre & comedy 🎸 Fête de la Musique 🎄 Christmas markets 🍹 Beach parties 🏄 Watersports competitions
❤️ 8 experiences to catch at the right time
1
Getting covered in colour during Holi — one of the most joyful and photogenic experiences.
2
Crossing paths with Maha Shivaratree pilgrims — hundreds of kanwars lining the roads, an unforgettable sight.
3
Driving through the villages on Divali evening — houses covered in hundreds of lights.
4
Watching a dragon dance in Chinatown — best around Chinese New Year.
5
Respectfully attending a Cavadee procession — a particularly powerful event.
6
Watching a Ganesh Chaturthi procession — spectacular when the statues are carried to the sea.
7
Visiting a Mauritian market early in the morning — Goodlands, Flacq or Mahébourg reveal a Mauritius very different from the hotels.
8
Watching a real séga — not a hotel show: the ravanne and the séga are part of the island’s very identity.
📍 Are you in Mauritius today? Check out the Around me page to discover what’s happening near you, right now.