Discover Fiji's top festivals held to celebrate cultural or significant historical events.
Known for its multiculturalism, the nation of Fiji celebrates Christmas, Easter, Eid-Ul-Fitr and Diwali with the same passion as the Hibiscus Festival or Independence Day.
Nearly all of Fiji's major cities and towns hold annual festivals, which are often named for something relevant to the locality, such as the Sugar Festival in Lautoka – the historical centre of the island's sugar production.
Fiji's major festivals including the following…
New Year’s Eve celebrations kick-of on 31st December, but can continue for days and even weeks in some areas.
Fijians welcome in the New Year with passion, complete with beating drums, traditional dance performances as well as people splashing each other with water – a typical way of celebration in Fiji.
In the nation’s capital of Suva, you can expect fireworks and an annual Street Party – one of the largest New Year celebrations in the South Pacific. Elsewhere, many resorts also organize their own parties.
(March) – Holi – the Hindu festival of colours – is known for its vibrancy and is a reminder of Fiji’s history and India’s role in it.
People from different communities in Fiji celebrate the festival by coming together and throwing coloured powder on each other.
This traditional ritual is seen as a way to forge new relationships, which is why it is celebrated in the season of new beginnings – spring!
Best locations are in Nadi and Nausori.
(May) – Held in Port Denarau, this three day-long celebration of blues and jazz plays host to some of the biggest international names in the field of jazz and blues.
(July) – Held in Nadi across several days in mid-July, the annual Bula Festival, features marching bands, traditional Pacific Islands dancing, a Bollywood night and many other fun-filled events ending with a beauty pageant, when a young woman is crowned Miss Bula for the year.
The word Bula – meaning hello or welcome – is used as a greeting in the Fijian language.
This is one of Fiji's most popular festivals – a wonderful celebration of the island nation’s heritage.
(August) – Held in Suva, the Hibiscus Festival is arguable the largest and is certainly one of the oldest celebrations in Fiji.
The festival showcase a smorgasbord of different Fijian arts and cultural. You can expect to experience a wide range of music, dance, sports and local arts.
The Miss Hibiscus title is a coveted part of the event, drawing thousands of entrants from different parts of the islands.
(September) – Join in the fun as Fijians celebrate the annual Sugar Festival with music and dance performances, fun-fair rides, food stalls and a beauty pageant, known as the Miss Sugar competition.
The Sugar Festival is held in Fiji's sugar-rich hub of Lautoka and typically lasts for a week.
(September) – The Festival of the Friendly North celebrates the culture and history in Labasa, the largest town on Vanua Levu Island.
The festival is a charitable event, with the proceeds going to financially support one or more causes in Labasa. In 2018, the festival raised money to provide better health services in the town.
Typically, the week-long festival ends with a beauty pageant where local beauties compete for the title.
(October) – Enjoy the week-long festivities, known as Fiji Week, which precedes Fiji Day on 10th October – the anniversary of Fiji's independence from British colonial rule in 1970.
Experience a week of religious and cultural ceremonies celebrating the country's diversity. Look out for parades, traditional dance and singing performances as well as parties, especially in Suva.
Every village and town in Fiji celebrates the independence by organizing events on a local level.
(October) – Watch this magical spectacle come alive at nightfall as Fiji’s large Hindu population celebrate Diwali – one of Fiji’s major national festivals.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali features ornate light and candle decorations, light shows, firecracker displays and night-time fun.
The public holiday, traditional held in honour of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is a day of colour celebrated among all of Fiji's communities for its festive and cultural aspects.
Hindus in Fiji usually open their homes to other families to share in the traditional sweets and foods of Diwali.
Marvel at the ancient ceremony of firewalking, which is re-enacted every Wednesday (from 6.30pm) at the Sheraton Fiji Resort in Denarau.
Note: You do not need to be a hotel guest to see the firewalking – everybody is welcome.
Alternatively, head to the villages along the south coast of Beqa Island, where firewalking ceremonies are still performed on special occasions in accordance to the traditions of the Sawau tribe.
Latest update: Fiji Festivals and Events : 11 May, 2022
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