Mauritius is a jewel in the Indian Ocean, celebrated globally for its turquoise lagoons and luxury resorts. Yet, the island’s most compelling feature is its people, whose deep-rooted cultural festivals provide a breathtaking window into the nation’s unique tapestry.
This guide to the most thrilling festivals in Mauritius is where you can experience its diversity, culture, and culinary brilliance. It will help you plan a trip that you and your family will cherish forever.
Thaipoosam Cavadee
Thaipoosam Cavadee is one of the most spectacular and moving Tamil Hindu festivals held in Mauritius. It is a day of profound devotion and penance in honor of Lord Murugan, the god of war and the son of Shiva and Pravati. Devotees perform acts of sacrifice by carrying the Cavadee (a beautifully decorated arch) in a pilgrimage to the temple.
- Location: Tamil temples (Kovils) nationwide; major processions in areas with large Tamil communities (e.g., Triolet, Port Louis)
- Date & Time: Typically late January or early February
- Highlights: Devotees walking barefoot while carrying the decorated Cavadee (often with pots of milk); ritual body piercings (cheeks, tongue, back) as a sign of penance and vow of silence; rhythmic chanting and devotional music
- Specialties: The intense display of faith and devotion, symbolizing the surrender of ego to the divine. It is a striking visual spectacle that unites the Tamil community.
- Pro Tip: If attending, dress modestly and maintain a respectful distance from the devotees, especially those undergoing the piercing rituals.
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Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
The Chinese Spring Festival is a major cultural celebration, marking the Lunar New Year. The Sino-Mauritian community celebrates with traditional customs aimed at welcoming prosperity and chasing away evil spirits for the coming year. You can enjoy dragon dances, drumming music, firecrackers, and feasts, especially if you are being hosted by a local or friends in the county.
- Location: Primarily Port Louis Chinatown, but celebrated in homes and temples across the island
- Date & Time: Typically late January or February (varies by the lunar calendar)
- Highlights: Lion and Dragon dances in the streets; loud firecrackers set off to ward off bad luck; exchange of traditional sweets and gifts (like gato la cire); giving red envelopes (hongbao) to children
- Specialties: The vibrant energy and color added to the streets of Port Louis, particularly the traditional Lion Dance performances.
- Pro Tip: Head to Chinatown in Port Louis to see the biggest street celebrations, but be prepared for loud noise from the firecrackers!
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Kreol International Festival
The Kreol International Festival is a huge celebration of Mauritius’s vibrant Creole identity, encompassing the language, music, food, dance, and art that define the island’s culture. It is a government-backed initiative to promote national unity and Creole heritage. It is one of the most traditional festivals in Mauritius that celebrates the country’s individuality.
- Location: Varies, but usually involves major events in Port Louis and beachside venues
- Date & Time: Typically four days in November or December
- Highlights: International and local Creole music concerts; street parades and dances; Creole food tasting and cooking demonstrations; literature and poetry readings in Kreol language
- Specialties: The Sega dance (the national dance of Mauritius) performed with rhythmic energy, and the widespread use and celebration of the Mauritian Creole language.
- Pro Tip: This is the best time to hear new Mauritian music; look for the main beachfront concerts for the biggest party atmosphere.
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Mauritius Independence Day
Mauritius Independence Day marks the anniversary of the country achieving independence from Britain in 1968 and becoming a republic in 1992. It is a day of national pride, marked by official ceremonies and public celebrations. You can watch the parades, flag-raising, and cultural shows like the local Sega dance. It is one of the best cultural festivals in Mauritius to attend in March.
- Location: Official ceremonies at the Champs de Mars, Port Louis, with festivities across the island
- Date & Time: March 12
- Highlights: Flag-raising ceremonies; official parade and cultural programs; celebratory concerts and fireworks in the evening; widespread display of the national flag
- Specialties: The official parade at the Champs de Mars, often attended by the President and Prime Minister, and the sense of national unity across all communities.
- Pro Tip: Head to your local town or village square for smaller, highly enthusiastic community celebrations after the main official events conclude.
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Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri (The Great Night of Shiva) is the largest and most important Hindu festival in Mauritius. Thousands of devotees undertake a pilgrimage on foot to the sacred lake of Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) to offer prayers and collect holy water. If you are a devotee of Shiva, this is one of the best religious festivals in Mauritius for you.
- Location: The pilgrimage ends at Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), in the Savanne District
- Date & Time: Typically late February or early March (varies by the Hindu calendar)
- Highlights: Pilgrims, dressed in white, walking long distances while carrying the colourful kanwar (bamboo structures decorated with flowers and statues of deities); all-night prayers at the temples; offerings at the lake
- Specialties: The massive, beautiful pilgrimage itself, which transforms the island’s roads into rivers of devotion, often compared to rituals on the banks of the Ganges in India.
- Pro Tip: Visit Grand Bassin a day or two before the main night to witness the arrival of thousands of pilgrims and the impressive, large kanwars they carry.
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Father Laval Day (Père Laval Pilgrimage)
Father Laval Day commemorates the death of Father Jacques-Désiré Laval, a French missionary who worked with the newly freed slaves in the 19th century. Though a Catholic observance, the annual pilgrimage to his tomb attracts people of all faiths who pray for healing and miracles.
- Location: The tomb of Father Laval at the Sainte-Croix church, Port Louis
- Date & Time: September 9
- Highlights: A massive, island-wide pilgrimage on foot to the tomb; candles and offerings left at the shrine; mass and prayers offered for the sick and needy
- Specialties: The demonstration of religious tolerance and interfaith unity, as people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds join the pilgrimage to honor him.
- Pro Tip: The area around Sainte-Croix becomes very crowded; plan to arrive early in the morning and be prepared for large crowds and a spiritual atmosphere.
Holi Festival
Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, celebrates the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and love. It is a joyous, boisterous festival where people playfully chase each other, throwing colored powder (gulal) and water. The Indian community in Mauritius is proud of their culture and celebrates this festival with vigor and contagious excitement.
- Location: Celebrated in Hindu homes and community fields/parks nationwide (not an official public holiday, but widely celebrated)
- Date & Time: Typically March (Full Moon)
- Highlights: Throwing of vibrant coloured powders and water; singing, dancing, and feasting on special sweets and snacks; bonfire lit the previous evening (Holika Dahan)
- Specialties: The pure fun and chaos of the colorful powder fighting, which breaks down social barriers and is open to participation by visitors.
- Pro Tip: Wear old clothes that you don’t mind ruining, protect your eyes, and be ready to be completely drenched in color!
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Diwali Festival
Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. A beautiful cultural festival in Mauritius that celebrates Ram and Sita’s return to their kingdom after a lengthy battle.
- Location: Celebrated in Hindu homes nationwide, with public decorations in town centres
- Date & Time: Typically October or November (varies by the Hindu calendar)
- Highlights: Lighting of thousands of small oil lamps (diyas) and electric lights outside homes and along streets; the making and exchange of large varieties of traditional sweets; fireworks displays
- Specialties: The stunning sight of the entire island sparkling with millions of flickering lights at night, transforming Mauritius into a “fairyland.”
- Pro Tip: Look for the best light displays in the evenings, and if you are befriended by a local family, you are likely to be offered a huge box of homemade Diwali sweets.
Eid-Ul-Fitr Festival
Eid-Ul-Fitr is the major Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is a day of gratitude, charity, prayer, and communal feasting. It is one of the best traditional festivals in Mauritius, where you can experience a new cultural way of living and try out delicious dishes.
- Location: Mosques nationwide, with community gatherings in towns and homes
- Date & Time: Varies each year typically April or May
- Highlights: Morning prayers at the mosque; family gatherings and large celebratory feasts; the giving of Zakat al-Fitr (charity) to the poor; wearing new clothes
- Specialties: The spirit of generosity and the feasting on traditional rich dishes like biryani and various sweetmeats, which are exchanged between Muslim families and neighbors of all faiths.
- Pro Tip: The central mosques in Port Louis often have beautiful ceremonies, but you must dress respectfully (covering arms and legs) if you wish to observe.
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Moka Street Food Festival
The Moka Street Food Festival is a modern, non-religious event celebrating the island’s diverse, multicultural culinary scene, offering a concentration of Mauritian street food, local beers, and craft products in a festive, open-air setting. If you are a foodie and love trying out new dishes, then this is one of the best food festivals in Mauritius that you must visit.
- Location: The Vivea Business Park area, Moka
- Date & Time: Typically held a few times a year, often in November or December
- Highlights: Hundreds of stalls offering Mauritian street food (e.g., dholl puri, gateaux piment); craft beer and local products; live music and family entertainment; vibrant, contemporary atmosphere
- Specialties: The chance to sample a wide array of authentic Mauritian snacks and dishes from different cultural traditions (Creole, Indian, and Chinese) all in one modern location.
- Pro Tip: The festival often gets very crowded; go early in the evening to beat the longest queues at the most popular food stalls.
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FAQs
What festivals are popular in Mauritius?
Mauritius is famous for its vibrant, multicultural religious festivals. The most popular include Maha Shivaratri (a massive Hindu pilgrimage), Independence Day, the spectacular Tamil festival of Thaipoosam Cavadee, and the widespread Diwali (Festival of Lights).
Which are the best festivals & events celebrated in Mauritius?
Key secular events include the cultural Kreol International Festival and the Moka Street Food Festival. The best festivals and events celebrated are often cited as Thaipoosam Cavadee for its visual spectacle and the Kreol International Festival for its celebration of national identity.
What is the best time to visit Mauritius?
The best time to visit Mauritius is generally from May to December during the dry winter season, offering pleasant temperatures and sunshine ideal for both beaches and cultural touring.
What is the most celebrated holiday in Mauritius?
The most widely and communally celebrated holiday in Mauritius is generally considered to be Maha Shivaratri, given the scale of the national pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, although Independence Day is the largest civil celebration.
What is the main festival of Mauritius?
There is no one main festival of Mauritius. Mauritius is a cultural melting pot with diverse religions living together and celebrating their own festivals and events. Some of the biggest festivals in the country are Maha Shivaratri, Diwali, Eid, and Holi.
How can I find out about all the upcoming festivals in Mauritius before I book my trip?
To find out about the upcoming festivals, you can check some popular sites like OneVasco, Mauritius Attractions, or Mauritius Now to know the dates and months.
