Sri Vijaya Puram, July 16: The Department of Tourism has announced the second edition of the Monsoon Food & Culture Festival 2026, a three-day event scheduled from July 17 to July 19 at the ITF Ground in Sri Vijaya Puram, bringing together local cuisine, cultural traditions, handicrafts and tourism stakeholders on a common platform to promote the Islands’ tourism and local economy.
The festival, part of the Tourism Calendar of Events 2026–27, will be held daily from 4 pm onwards. The event is designed to showcase the unique appeal of the monsoon season while highlighting the culinary heritage, cultural diversity, locally produced goods and handicrafts of the Islands. It will also provide an opportunity for local entrepreneurs, artisans, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Government Departments and tourism stakeholders to present their products and initiatives.
One of the key attractions of this year’s festival will be the participation of the Karen Community from Mayabunder. The community will perform its Traditional Bamboo Dance and Traditional Welcome Dance and present traditional cuisines from the Nicobar group of Islands.
The festival will also feature participation from various State Cultural Associations, local SHGs and the Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA). Hotels and restaurants, including TSG, Chai Sutta Bar, Icy Spicy, Kabab & Roll Restaurant, Chocolate House, Shifa Catering and Muggle’s Point (Bathu Basti), will also take part in the event.
Government departments, including Agriculture, Tribal Welfare, Industries, Fisheries, Social Welfare, Science & Technology, Rural Development, Police Department and Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, will showcase their programmes and public services during the festival.
Cultural performances have been scheduled across all three evenings. On July 17, visitors will witness performances by the A&N Police Band, Indian Navy Band, a classical fusion dance by Akhanya Sujith, traditional dances by the Karen Community and a live programme by Geet Sangeet Musical Group.
The July 18 programme will include performances by KRG Kalai Kaveri School, Dance Nritya Academy, the Karen Community’s Traditional Bamboo Dance and singers from the A&N Administration.
The concluding day on July 19 will feature performances by Natyanjali Classical Dance Academy, MY Bharat/Suron Ka Safar by Andaman Mahila Mandal, a traditional dance by the Karen Community, an Odissi dance performance and a live musical performance by Kalapani Band.
The Department of Tourism has invited residents and tourists to attend the festival and experience the Islands’ cuisine, music, traditions and cultural heritage during the three-day event at the ITF Ground.
