Goa Announces Shigmo 2026 Celebrations From March 5 to 18

Colourful Parades, Traditional Music And Dance

Goa is gearing up to celebrate Shigmo 2026, the State’s colourful cultural festival that highlights its rich folk heritage through music, dance, and artistic expressions. 

Preparations for the Shigmo float parades across various centres were reviewed in a meeting chaired by Minister for Tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte, in the presence of Director of Tourism Kedar Naik and GTDC Managing Director Kuldeep Arolkar.

The meeting focused on ensuring a smooth and successful celebration, with discussions covering logistics, adherence to timelines and promotional strategies to enhance the festival’s reach and appeal.
 
It was followed by a press conference, during which Director of Tourism Kedar Naik, along with Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar, and Deputy General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC Deepak Narvekar, officially announced the dates, centres, and other key details of Shigmo 2026.

Director of Tourism Kedar Naik informed the media that the Shigmo will be held from March 5, 2026 to March 18, 2026, with colourful float parades organised across 19 centres in the State. The festivities will commence in Ponda on March 5, followed by Calangute on March 6, Panaji on March 7, Mapusa on March 8, Mandrem on March 9, Bicholim on March 10, Sanquelim on March 11, Shiroda and Sanguem on March 12, Dharbandora and Cuncolim on March 13, Margao on March 14, Porvorim and Vasco on March 15, Valpoi and Curchorem on March 16, Quepem and Canacona on March 17, and concluding at Pernem on March 18.
 
Naik further informed that the Department provides each committee with the two types of grants for Shigmo celebrations every year which are infrastructure support and prize money. This year, an additional enhancement of Rs 1 lakh in infrastructure assistance will be provided to further strengthen arrangements at festival centres.
 
It was also emphasised that parade routes are to be finalised by the respective Shigmotsav Committees with prior permissions, in consultation with the Traffic Cell, to ensure smooth traffic movement and public convenience. Committees were instructed to strictly adhere to all prescribed rules and regulations. A new set of guidelines for Romtamel groups has been framed, including a maximum team size of 150 participants. The Shigmo processions should commence by 4:00 pm and conclude within the time limit of Government.
 
Representatives of various Municipal Councils from the festival centres, along with officials from the Police Department, Traffic Cell, Fire and Emergency Services, Assistant Director (Tourism) Jayesh Kankonkar and other concerned departments were present at the meeting.