The Telangana Tourism Department has unveiled ambitious plans to celebrate Sankranti 2026 on a global scale, positioning Hyderabad as a vibrant international tourism destination. Blending tradition, colour, cuisine, and cutting-edge technology, the state will host three flagship festivals in January 2026, offering visitors a truly immersive cultural experience.
The celebrations will commence with the International Kite and Sweets Festival, scheduled during Makara Sankranti at the Parade Grounds, Secunderabad. Kite-flying experts from 19 countries, including Indonesia, Australia, Canada, Japan, France, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, and Ukraine, will participate. The event will feature Best 40 international kitist and 55 national kite flyers from 15 Indian states, with spectacular night kite-flying displays over three days as a major highlight confirmed by Paavan Solanki a Professional Kite Flyer from Ahmedabad, Gujarat and official kite consultant of Telangana International Kite Festival.
Adding to the festive charm, the festival will showcase traditional cultural performances, over 100 handloom and handicraft stalls, and 60 food courts offering authentic Telangana cuisine alongside international delicacies. A major attraction will be the International Sweets Festival, featuring more than 1,200 varieties of sweets prepared by Hyderabad-based families from across the world, symbolising the city’s rich global cultural connect.
From January 16 to 18, the city will host the Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026, featuring around 15 internationally certified hot air balloons from Europe. Visitors can enjoy early morning balloon rides around Hyderabad, while the evenings at Parade Grounds will be illuminated by a visually stunning Night Glow Balloon Show.
Extending the celebrations across the city, kite festivals will also be organised at several revived lakes restored under the HYDRAA initiative, including Bathukamma Kunta (Bagh Amberpet), Nalla Cheruvu (Kukatpally), Thammidikunta (Madhapur) and Bam Rukn-ud-Daula Lake near the National Police Academy, Rajendranagar, highlighting the government’s commitment to lake conservation and sustainable tourism.
Complementing these festivities, a high-tech Drone Show 2026 will be held at Gachibowli Stadium on January 16 and 17. Featuring thousands of LED-lit drones, the show will present breathtaking aerial formations, FPV drone racing, drone soccer, and coordinated sky displays narrating the journey and achievements of India and Telangana.
With these three landmark events, the Telangana Tourism Department aims to make Sankranti 2026 a memorable global celebration, showcasing Hyderabad’s cultural richness, innovation, and festive spirit to audiences worldwide.