All You Need To Know
Singing Sands 2027: Dates, Venue & Format
Singing Sands returns on 12-13-14 March 2027, at The Desert Resort in Mandawa. Mandawa is a heritage town in the heart of Shekhawati, world renowned for its painted havelis and frescoed lanes. The festival runs from Friday afternoon through to Sunday morning – three days, two nights, one unforgettable stretch of time.
You can get a glimpse of the previous 2 editions.
Expect the spirit you’d hope for – extraordinary folk music and dance concerts, wide variety of traditional handicrafts, hands-on craft and music workshops, a heritage walk through Mandawa’s lanes, story-telling sessions and everything shared closely, informally, and up close rather than from an intimidating stage.
The detailed programme is still taking shape, and we’ll share it as it firms up.
Every musician, dancer, and artisan at Singing Sands comes from a living tradition – many from the very villages and communities where these art forms were born, and yet travelled the world and enchanted audiences across the globe.
The festival is curated by Vinod Joshi of Dancing Peacock, whose decades-long relationships with Rajasthan's folk artists allow Singing Sands to bring together practitioners known not just for their skill, but for the authenticity and integrity of their traditions.
While folk performances are often offered as a brief evening attraction at many hotels, Singing Sands is built around the artists themselves—giving you the opportunity to experience their music, stories and traditions in a far more personal and immersive way.
You’ll do more than watch – try your hand at instruments like the khartaal or nagara, or pick up a few dance steps, taught directly by the artists who’ve carried these traditions forward.
The Desert Resort is built like a living Rajasthani village rather than a conventional hotel – crafted using traditional mud architecture, local materials, and local hands. This award-winning resort sits amid open courtyards, dunes, and lawns, and runs on values close to our own heart: sustainable practices like solar heating and farm-to-table dining sourced from its own grounds, and a deep respect for the land and craftsmanship it’s built on.
It’s not just a venue for the festival – it’s a place that already lives by the same principles Singing Sands stands for.
The Desert Resort is the official festival venue, placing you right in the heart of the experience. The design, comforts and hospitality of the Resort makes your stay unforgettable, and staying here gives you an immersive experience and uninterrupted access to the festivities.
If for some reason you wish to stay elsewhere, Mandawa offers a variety of accommodation options across all categories and budgets.
Mandawa is one of Shekhawati’s most celebrated heritage towns, known for its havelis (mansions) – grand old merchant mansions covered in intricate, centuries-old frescoes. Wandering its lanes feels like walking through an open-air gallery of Rajasthan’s history, and it’s very much a part of what makes this edition special.
Mandawa is a convenient, 3-hour drive from Jaipur.
From Delhi, it will take you under 4 hours of a pleasurable drive through the countryside, even with a small tea break. From Gurugram, even less.
For those of you flying in from other cities, choose between Delhi and Jaipur to land and take a taxi to Mandawa.
The nearest railway station is Mukundgarh, barely 14 km away.
Shekhawati is a culturally rich region in northeastern Rajasthan along the ancient trade routes to Central Asia. Spanning hundreds of villages and towns, Shekhawati is world-renowned for its beautifully painted havelis (mansions), community wells, cenotaphs, and historic memorials.
Every year, thousands of tourists visit Shekhawati to experience its unique heritage and architecture. The area also offers a range of excellent accommodation options, from elegant heritage properties to modern hotels.
Mid-March is one of the most delightful times to experience Shekhawati.
Winter has gently receded, spring is in the air, and the region enjoys cool mornings and evenings with comfortably warm days… perfect weather for being outdoors at a festival.
Singing Sands is organised by Dancing Peacock, a Jaipur-based company specialising in creating folk music concerts and immersive musical and cultural experiences.
The company has designed important musical experiences for G20 delegates (during India’s presidency in 2022-23) and BRICS delegates, and the first-ever Hawa Mahal Festival, a vibrant street carnival.
Singing Sands itself has received recognition for its festival design.
What To Expect
Unhurried and immersive! Mornings for a heritage walk or a craft session, afternoons to explore music and workshops at your own pace, and evenings that build into concerts under the open desert sky. With your stay possibly just a short walk from the main venue, the day can stretch late without a single thought about "getting back."
Not at all. There are no elevated stages or barricades at Singing Sands. You’ll often sit close enough to reach out and touch a dholak, learn a few steps of a folk dance from the very artists who dance it for a living, and listen to their stories rather than just watch them perform.
This is where the festival really comes alive. The Desert Resort's open courtyards and dune-side spaces are built for exactly this – concerts under a star-filled sky, a drink in hand, live folk music carrying across the sand.
Absolutely. Come for the workshops, the walks, the music – or come simply to sit back with a drink and let the evenings wash over you. Singing Sands is built to be dipped into at your own pace.
Who Should Attend
Singing Sands is for anyone looking to experience Rajasthan beyond the usual tourist trail. Our previous editions welcomed guests across generations—from young children to senior citizens—including families, couples, solo travellers and groups of friends. Some came because they already love Indian folk culture, while others simply wanted a different kind of holiday. Curiosity is the only prerequisite.
Very much so. There’s genuine wonder here for young ones – hands-on craft sessions, live music that doesn’t ask them to sit still and behave, and open lawns and courtyards to run about in between. It's also a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to India's living musical and craft traditions in a way that's engaging, interactive and memorable rather than classroom-like. And with accommodation right on the same grounds as the festival, there’s no need to manage transfers or tight schedules with tired children in tow – the whole experience unfolds at a pace families can actually enjoy.
Yes. The music, the craft demonstrations, the storytelling – much of Singing Sands is designed to be soaked in from a comfortable seat, not just experienced on your feet. And the venue itself helps: a flat, spacious layout with most rooms and common areas easily accessible, so getting around never becomes a chore. Our team is always close by to help wherever needed.
If you have any specific accessibility requirements or questions before booking, we'd be happy to help. Please feel free to contact us so we can discuss your requirements.
Absolutely – and often, it’s our solo guests who leave with the fullest hearts. The festival’s intimate scale means conversations start easily around a concert or a craft table, and staying at the same venue as the festival makes it even easier to bump into fellow guests over breakfast, by the pool, or on an evening walk. Come alone, and the days have a way of filling up with new company.
Yes – there’s plenty for a couple to enjoy together, from discovering a new folk art form side by side to simply sitting through a concert under the stars. And the resort’s quieter corners – a sunset by the pool, a walk through the dunes, a private table under the sky – pair beautifully with the festival’s louder, more communal evenings. You get the best of both.
Passes, Stay & Practicalities
Passes for the 2027 edition will open closer to the festival dates, once the full programme is locked in. We’ll announce pricing and pass types at that time – do check back or subscribe for updates so you don’t miss it.
Yes – staying on-site is an excellent option, but not a requirement. We’ll share alternative stay recommendations in and around Mandawa closer to the festival for guests who’d prefer to explore other accommodation.