The 39th edition of the Surajkund Craft Festival is now open in Faridabad, Haryana, running from January 31 to February 15, 2026. The annual event which takes place every year stands as one of the biggest craft exhibitions throughout the globe because it draws artisans and entertainers together with visitors from India and other countries.
The Surajkund Mela provides visitors a wonderful chance to experience traditional handicrafts and cultural shows which showcase the exceptional artistic heritage of Haryana and its neighboring areas. The event functions as a major driver of tourism in Haryana because it attracts international visitors and craft enthusiasts to the site.
The mela is held at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela Grounds, near Delhi NCR, making it accessible to both domestic and international tourists. Visitors can explore a vibrant mix of art, food, music, and dance from different regions, as well as purchase unique handcrafted products directly from artisans.
The 2026 Edition: What’s New?
This year’s edition introduces Egypt as the partner country, offering a special international flair to the festival. Egypt’s crafts and cultural performances will sit alongside India’s theme states, Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya. This blend of Indian and international influences promises to deliver a captivating experience for visitors. Organisers have also worked on enhancing the festival’s atmosphere with improved lighting and venue renovations to bring even more energy to the mela grounds after dusk.
Dates and Timings
The Surajkund Mela will be open daily from January 31 to February 15, 2026, offering ample time for visitors to explore all the attractions. The festival runs from late morning to evening, typically between 10 am and 8:30 pm, ensuring that attendees have enough time to enjoy the festivities, shop, and engage with the artisans.
Ticketing Information
Tickets for the Surajkund Crafts Mela are available both online and offline, providing several options for convenient entry. Visitors can buy tickets through the Haryana Tourism website or through popular ticket platforms such as BookMyShow. Metro passengers can also purchase tickets at selected metro stations or through the DMRC mobile app for faster entry.
Ticket Prices:
- 120 rupees on weekdays
- 180 rupees on weekends
- Discounts for senior citizens, students, and differently-abled visitors
- Children under a certain age may enter for free, as per the official guidelines.
For the smoothest experience, visitors are encouraged to book digital passes with QR codes to avoid long queues and speed up entry into the mela grounds.
Travel and Traffic Guidelines
With an expected surge in visitors, the Haryana Tourism Department has put in place specific measures to ensure smooth access to the Surajkund Mela. To manage traffic effectively, heavy and commercial vehicles will be banned on several routes between 7 am and midnight. These restrictions will cover key areas such as roads leading from Pali, Ankhir, NHPC Chowk, and the Prahladpur Delhi Border.
Designated Parking Areas:
Visitors are advised to use the designated parking zones surrounding the mela grounds to avoid penalties for illegal parking. Authorities have also provided alternative routes for smoother travel from Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Delhi, including through Ankhir Chowk, Badkhal Road, and Bata Chowk.
How to Reach the Surajkund Mela
For those relying on public transport, the nearest metro stations are Badarpur and Badkal Mor, which are connected to the mela site by auto-rickshaws or shared cabs. Road travel is also convenient, with taxis, app-based cabs, buses, and private vehicles offering direct access to the festival. Visitors arriving by air can take a taxi from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), located about 25-30 km from the mela grounds.
What to Expect at Surajkund Mela
One of the most exciting aspects of Surajkund Mela is its array of live performances. Over the course of the 16-day festival, visitors will be treated to daily folk dances, traditional music, comedy, and theatrical performances. Some of the headliners for 2026 include:
- Feb 1: Folk singer Mahabir Guddu
- Feb 2: Rising artist Hemant Brijwasi
- Feb 3: Vocalist Tarannum Malik
- Feb 5: Playback singer Salman Ali
- Feb 6: Pop-sufi band Swarizm
- Feb 8: Legendary Gurdas Maan
- Feb 9: Soul singer Kailash Kher
In addition to these performances, the festival hosts several regional artists and traditional music ensembles, ensuring that every visitor finds something to captivate them.
Crafts and Cuisine: A Shopper’s Paradise
Beyond the performances, Surajkund Mela offers an impressive range of traditional handicrafts and regional cuisines. Visitors can peruse artisan stalls displaying hand-loomed textiles, pottery, jewellery, and much more. The culinary zones are a highlight, with food stalls from the partner country (Egypt) and theme states (Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya), offering authentic regional flavours.
There are also family-friendly attractions, including amusement rides, puppet shows, interactive workshops, and storytelling spaces, ensuring that people of all ages have a memorable experience at the mela.
The Surajkund Mela’s Impact on Haryana Tourism
Surajkund Mela continues to play an instrumental role in promoting Haryana as a cultural and tourist destination. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, not only boosting tourism in Haryana but also promoting Indian craftsmanship and culture on a global stage. The 2026 edition, with Egypt as the partner country, further cements Haryana’s status as a key player in the global tourism industry.
What with increasing merchandise facilities, controlled vehicular movement, and retail diversity, no one can deny that Surajkund is moving in the right direction as one of the must-see cultural events.
The post Surajkund Craft Festival 2026: A Complete Guide For Tickets, Routes, Dates And Visitor Tips To Boost Haryana Tourism appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
