Goa is set to celebrate its flagship cultural festival Shigmo 2026 from March 5 to 18, with vibrant float parades and folk performances planned across 19 centres in the State. The dates and key arrangements were officially announced following a high-level review meeting chaired by Goa’s Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte.
The meeting, attended by senior officials of the Tourism Department and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), focused on coordinated planning, logistics, traffic management and promotional strategies to ensure smooth execution of the festival across all centres.
Director of Tourism Kedar Naik confirmed that Shigmo 2026 will begin in Ponda on March 5 and conclude in Pernem on March 18, covering major destinations including Panaji, Calangute, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco, Porvorim, Canacona and others. The festival will showcase Goa’s rich folk heritage through colourful floats, traditional music, dance forms and community-led performances.
In a key announcement, the Tourism Department stated that infrastructure assistance for Shigmo celebrations has been enhanced by an additional ₹1 lakh per committee this year, aimed at strengthening arrangements and improving visitor experience at festival centres. Committees will continue to receive infrastructure support and prize money as part of the annual grant system.
To ensure public convenience, Shigmotsav Committees have been instructed to finalise parade routes in consultation with the Traffic Cell and obtain all required permissions. New guidelines have also been introduced for Romtamel groups, including a cap of 150 participants per group, with processions mandated to start at 4:00 pm and conclude within prescribed government timelines.
Officials from municipal councils, police, traffic, fire and emergency services, and other concerned departments participated in the planning process, underlining a multi-agency approach to festival management.
Shigmo Festival 2026 is expected to draw domestic and international visitors, reinforcing Goa’s position as a destination that blends tourism with living cultural traditions.
