Festivals in Orissa are mesmerizing in their raw energy, religious fervor and a splash of colors juxtaposed with rhythms that vary from district to district and tribe to tribe. The religious undercurrent in events of all origin and purpose unite the festivals and fairs in a harmony of dances, music and Jatras that complete Orissa's calendar year where festivals in Orissa are concerned.

Enamored with temples across its landscape, Orissa hosts a number of temple festivals especially related to Lord Jagannath at Puri including the world famous Rath Yatra or the Car Festival.

Since Orissa is also constitutes of many tribal communities especially in its south-western districts, the festivals in Orissa also include tribal festivals and fairs that are sometimes intriguing, sometimes bewildering but always entertaining. Some of the tribal festivals include Chaita Parva and Bali Yatra.

Festivals in Orissa are however not restricted to temples and tribal festivals but are also concerned with celebrating the cycle of life with all its joys and sorrows. To showcase the varied folk tradition and cultural heritage of Orissa, there are several special festivals being organized in Orissa such as the Puri Beach Festival, Konark Festival and Kalinga Festival.

Festivals in Orissa also include religious festivals that are unique to Orissa (Raja, Kumar Purnima) and the ones that are celebrated at the national level (Durga Puja, Maha Shiv Ratri, Dusherra, Diwali etc).