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Celebrating the new year in Rajasthan is a vibrant mix of culture, tradition, and grandeur. From majestic palaces in Jaipur and Jodhpur to serene evenings by Lake Pichola in Udaipur, every corner of the state glows with festivities. Jaisalmer offers a unique desert charm with folk music, dances, and bonfires under the starlit sky. Visitors can witness soulful aartis, enjoy royal palace dining, or simply embrace the colourful atmosphere. With its blend of heritage and celebration, Rajasthan makes welcoming the new year a truly unforgettable experience.
10 Best Places To Celebrate New Year In Rajasthan
The magic of new year in Rajasthan shines through Udaipur’s lakes and Jaisalmer’s sands, where music, dance, and celebrations create unforgettable cultural experiences for every visitor.
1. Jaipur
Photo: A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons
Jaipur takes on a different glow during the new year in Rajasthan, with its royal forts and palaces dressed in lights that shimmer across the skyline. Inside the city, luxury hotels prepare elaborate dinners, live DJ nights, and cultural evenings where traditional dance and music flow seamlessly into modern celebrations. Nahargarh Fort is one of the most sought-after places right before the clock hits midnight; the rooftop terraces afford a panoramic view of twinkling Jaipur. Underneath the spell of Jal Mahal, fireworks reflect over the lake, luring both local people and tourists alike for a respite and a view.
Highlight: Fireworks over Jal Mahal
Best For: Parties, culture, shopping
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Jaipur
2. Udaipur
Photo: Gerd Eichmann / Wikimedia Commons
The place known to many as the City of Lakes is Udaipur, one of the most enchanting cities that rings in the new year in Rajasthan. Lakes and the jagged hills of the Aravalli surround the city, which is quite famous for its royal charm and picturesque settings. The lake, Pichola, becomes the centre for celebration events where floating restaurants, rooftop lounges, and lavish hotels such as The Leela and Taj Lake Palace are known for throwing big-bash New Year’s Eve dinners. Besides, there are cultural shows mostly featuring folk music and dancing to make the milieu even more colourful.
Highlights: Boat rides on Lake Pichola, palace hotels, fireworks over the lake, and cultural shows.
Best For: Couples, honeymooners, and those who want the New Year to be romantic and royal.
3. Jaisalmer
Photo: Roven Images / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Celebrating the New Year in the Golden City of Jaisalmer is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Within a few miles’ reach from the splendid city of Jaisalmer is surrounded by the Thar Desert, which remains unbounded. It has desert camps that offer guests cultural evenings with Rajasthani folk music, Kalbeliya dance, bonfires, and starlit skies. Many of the camps arrange gala dinners and countdown parties under the dunes, making a difference. By day, the fabulous golden sandstone forts and havelis create a nostalgic charm; at night, these very sites come alive with rural cultural performances.
Highlights: Desert camping and folk dance under bonfires while stargazing in the Thar desert.
Best For: For adventure enthusiasts, for culture vultures, and all those who are looking for that rustic, authentic experience.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Jaisalmer
4. Jodhpur
Photo: Craig Adderley / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Jodhpur is the Blue City, where a royal yet lively New Year celebration unfolds amidst its forts and bazaars. Grandeur then spreads to the luxury heritage hotels like Umaid Bhawan Palace and boutique havelis that hold lavish gala dinners with live music and cultural acts. Chill, rooftop cafés are also among the popular spots in the old city to observe the New Year, brightening up the space with the glow of illuminated blue houses. Jodhpur, apart from being known for partying, is very much rooted in a culture that incorporates Rajasthani folk dancing, puppet shows, and ethnic cuisines.
Highlights:– Mehrangarh Fort; partying in heritage hotels; having dinners on rooftops; shows showcasing the Rajasthani culture at its best.
Best For: Culture enthusiasts and luxury travellers who enjoy a blend of history with festivities.
5. Mount Abu
Photo: Sanyam Bahga / Wikimedia Commons
Cool-winter imagery, lakes, and hills combine to make Mount Abu the most refreshing New Year’s getaway. It is the only hill station in Rajasthan. In contrast to the desert cities, Mount Abu welcomes with a softer note, surrounded by nature. These celebrations occur at Nakki Lake with boating activities and lakeside cafés lined with music. In the meantime, each resort and hotel celebrates with a private party around a bonfire; these celebrations are warming and joyous. Out in nature, the mountain winds are chilling for a New Year celebration, far removed from the heat of the desert.
Highlight: Hill-station-like glory, Nakki Lake celebrations, bonfires, peaceful mountain setting.
Best For: Families, couples, and travellers who want a calm, refreshing celebration.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Mount Abu For A Scenic Getaway
6. Pushkar
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Pushkar packs its own charm of spirituality and frenzied energy for a New Year celebration. Known for hippie cafes, rooftop lounges, and desert camps, Pushkar is an attraction for both local and foreign tourists. The ghats around Pushkar Lake shine with lights and bonfires, counterpointed by the booming time with DJ nights and drums. Camel rides and desert parties in the vicinity of the dunes also add a rustic flavour to the jamboree. Many visitors also join in for a peaceful aarti at the lake in the early morning to start the year off on a spiritual note.
Highlights: Rooftop cafés, ghats of Pushkar Lake, desert parties, spiritual arti.
Best For: Backpackers, spiritual seekers, and people who enjoy a mix of old-world charm with bohemian parties.
7. Ajmer
Photo: Sikandar Ali / Unsplash
Ajmer presents a soulful and festive ambience around the Ana Sagar Lake as celebrations for the New Year begin. Couples flood the shrine of Ajmer Sharif to receive blessings and start their year on a spiritual note. Conversely, luxury hotels and resorts along the lake organise gala dinners, live music performances, and fireworks displays. Ana Sagar Lake, with calm waters reflecting firework festivities, becomes a huge favourite among the locals and tourists. Ajmer also acts as a gateway to Pushkar, allowing travellers to see both places with ease. Ajmer in Rajasthan undoubtedly could be a picture-perfect place to welcome the New Year.
Highlights: Ana Sagar Lake celebrations, luxury hotels, Ajmer Sharif blessings, cultural vibe.
Best For: Spiritual travellers, families, and those in peace with a touch of festivity.
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Ajmer
8. Bikaner
Photo: Mukesh.kfc / Wikimedia Commons
For a traditional royal celebration, Bikaner provides an enchanting setting with golden sands and royal havelis. The city’s palaces, namely Laxmi Niwas Palace and Narendra Bhawan, host lavish New Year’s Eve parties featuring Rajasthani folk performances, gala dinners, and cultural programs. Fancy bonfires, camel rides, and stargazing at rustic desert camps around Bikaner city, famous for its mouthwatering, authentic foods, especially snacks and sweets, boast yet one more offering to welcome the new year delights. The rich heritage blended with desert charm makes Bikaner a fine pick for travellers seeking celebrational cultures.
Highlights: Palace parties, desert camping, folk performances, and authentic Rajasthani cuisine.
Best For: Those who would like to celebrate in royal style are heritarians, foodies, and culture seekers.
9. Ranthambore
Photo: Vijay Singh / Wikimedia Commons
Exciting natural scenery and New Year celebrations would both be well complemented here in Ranthambore for any wildlife enthusiast. Famous for Ranthambore National Park, which is filled with tigers, this wildlife area is home to luxury forest resorts that conduct special parties on New Year’s Eve. Bonfires, folk dance performances, and wildlife safaris give guests a chance to add an adventurous start to the brand-new year. Imagine waking up on the first day of the year and jumping into the jungle on a safari looking for tigers-it couldn’t get any better! A blend of wilderness and celebration, far away from noisy city parties, is the offering of Ranthambore.
Highlights: Jungle safaris, luxury forest resorts, bonfires, wildlife-themed parties.
Best For: Adventure seekers, wildlife lovers, and anyone wanting offbeat New Year celebrations.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Ranthambore
10. Chittorgarh
Photo: Daniel VILLAFRUELA / Wikimedia Commons
Chittorgarh, famous for its massive fort and tales of Rajputana bravery, offers a historical and cultural New Year celebration. The well-lit Chittorgarh Fort forms a majestic backdrop for the festivities. Hotels and heritage resorts organise traditional Rajasthani evenings with folk music and dance, along with authentic cuisines. Amidst all the jostling cities, Chittorgarh better cherishes celebrating New Year’s Eve as a platform to absorb the influx of history by its visitors while entering the New Year. Chittorgarh, which offers heritage and festival charms, is unique for the kind of traveller who explores forts, palaces, and legacies of bravery.
Highlights: Quiet celebrations at Chittorgarh Fort; Traditional cultural programs in heritage hotels.
Best For: A cultural laying entry to the year, Families, History Buffs.
New year in Rajasthan brings together Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur’s royal charm with Jaisalmer and Bikaner’s desert allure. Mount Abu offers serene hills, while Pushkar and Ajmer radiate divinity. From glitzy palace festivities to Ranthambore safaris or peaceful moments in Chittorgarh, every corner reflects heritage and joy. Blending music, food, and culture, Rajasthan creates an unforgettable start to the year. Plan your trip with TripXL for the best celebration experiences.
Cover Photo: Peter Spencer / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
