Some of the well known fairs and festivals of the state are:

Kullu Dussehra

This festival This fetival is well known throughout the state and is held at the end of Dussehra. Its date is announced by Hadimba Devi at Manali. This goddess is brought to the Kullu fair and is received by the King of Kullu after which the festival begins. It lasts for about a week and religious dances are held daily. The dance groups of all areas show their expertise at this art. Usually held in October, this festival is also a trading place for different tribes.

Shivratri Fair

Is held in Mandi in the month of February/march. It also continues for about a week and a large number of gods and goddesses enter the town. They are all first taken to the Mahadev temple and then to the Bhutnath temple. A similar fair is held at Baijnath in Kangra district. Again song and dance, music and drama all are combined with trade. Minjar Fair Is celebrated in the Chamba district in the month of August/September. The Gaddi tribe holds the fair with songs and dances in honor of the Rain-God 'Varuna. 'Mani Mahesh Chhari Yatra This is a colorful procession, which moves from the Chamba town, and goes right up to the base of the 'Chamba Kailash', where a lake called 'Mani Mahesh' is situated. Pilgrims carry a sacred 'Chhari' on their shoulders and reach the lake on foot. It takes about 6 days of hard trekking to reach the lake. On reaching the lake, a nightlong ceremony is held and on the next day the devotees take a dip in the lake and return home.

Renuka Fair

This fair is held in the Sirmour district in the month of November. Renuka Devi, the mother of Parshuram is worshipped here. The fair is like other fairs of Himachal Pradesh, with lots of festivities, blessings and trade!This place has a wildlife park, which is visited by the people who gather here. The fair lasts for about 7 days and folk dances and cultural festivities are in full swing during the entire week.

Lavi Trade

Fair This trade fair is held in Rampur, on the banks of the Sutlej River. This is a trade dominated fair and people sell goods worth millions of rupees. Tribes from Kullu, Shimla and Kinnaur bring carpets, shawls, Woolen articles, dry fruits etc. for sale. This fair is held in the month of November and continues for 7 days. It is an occasion where people get together, make friends and enjoy as well as exchange goods. The fair is being held for the past 235 years. At this time trade takes place and is at a peak. At night, folk dances, music and bonfires are the attractions of this fair.

Vrajeshwari Fair

This too is a religious fair, which is held twice a year at Kangra at the time of Navratri. Many devotees of ‘Mata’ participate in this fair. 'Mundan' ceremony is also performed during this fair. Jwalamukhi Fair This fair is held during Navratri of Chaitra and Assuy. The devotees go round the Jwalakund in which a sacred fire burns, and make their offerings. This festival is held twice a year. Holi Fair of Sujanpur This Holi fair is somewhat different from the rest of the Holi played in other parts of India. Here songs, dances, plays, matches are the main attraction. These events take place in spacious grounds.

Shivratri Fair

Shivratri is a seven-day long fair where the devotees carry hundreds of idols of gods & goddesses. The fair is unique in style and known for its colorful atmosphere. It is held at Mandi and is good fun & frolic along with an insight into the traditions of Himachal.

Nainadevi

Temple Nainadevi temple is situated on a hilltop, 8km from Ganguual, powerhouse of Bilaspur district. Nainadevi fair is held in Aug every year and thousands of devotees come from different places to attend this fair. Crafts People of Himachal Pradesh have developed through the years, rich tradition of handicrafts. People of this state are contained, simple and hardworking. Himachal Pradesh is famous for its woodwork, metal wares, carpets, woolen textile and leather embroidery. Some of the famous, original handicrafts are: Carpets Himachal Pradesh is well known for its carpets. Traditional patterns like dragons, garuda on a flowering tree, swastikas are found on the carpets. Symbols like flute, castanets, fishes are also woven on the carpets. Readymade garments, accessories and dolls are also quite famous.

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its old costumes and garments. Himachali women weave headscarves. People wear grass shoes, which are quite warm. Kurtas, saris, gowns woven by Himachali people, are different from rest of India. Bangles and rings are made of horsehair and worn by women. Shawls People of Himachal Pradesh spin and weave exceptionally fine and valuable shawls. The well-known soft Pashmina shawl is made from the hair of Pashmina goat. The most popular styles of shawls are ‘Dhobroo’ and ‘Pattu’. The embroidery is based on Kangra and Chamba schools of paintings. Chamba ‘Rumals’ are used as wall hangings, door & fire screens and cushion covers.

Leather crafts The Chamba Chappal (slipper) is made nowhere else like the ones made in this place. It provides comfort and is light and warm with leather socks. Paintings Chamba & Kangra schools of paintings are famous throughout the art world. New local craftsmen paint the Gompas into pictures.

Fetival & Fair

The different regions of Himachal Pradesh have different customs. Though most of the festivals are the same, yet at specific times certain festivals and fairs attract attention from the rest of India and abroad. The local people here are religious minded folks who lead a simple though colorful life. This trust in God is manifested in their seeking out the blessings of their local deities. The fairs that are held in the state are a meeting place of many different tribes. The people gather here to communicate, trade and most of all to celebrate the occasion which may be the honoring of the gods of their area. They dance and sing and bring their deities to the fair. It is in the presence of their gods that they enjoy themselves and conduct trade as well as purchase required articles for their houses.