The Story
Watch the story
XIM — a short film by the Piedade Youth Association on how four centuries of boundary disputes turned into Goa’s loudest party.
42nd Edition Divar Island · Goa
Goa’s loudest monsoon party. One tiny island, six proud wards, a thousand flags, and a festival four centuries in the making.
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The Photo Album
Scenes from the island
What to Expect
Six hours of island fun
🚩
The Flag Parade
Wards march with towering colours in a cheerful re-enactment of the old protests. Loud, proud, and impossible to miss.
🎪
Ward Floats
Each ward spends weeks building one-of-a-kind floats: part art project, part friendly arms race. The crowd picks its favourites.
🎺
Brass & Beats
From the dawn Alvorada band to live acts on the main stage till 10 PM, the island does not stop playing.
🍤
Goan Food Stalls
Sorpotel, sanna, prawn curry, bebinca and a cold one to wash it down. Bring cash and an appetite.
🦋
Fancy Dress
Kids (and plenty of adults) turn out as flowers, butterflies and whatever else the monsoon inspires.
🌧️
Monsoon Magic
Green paddies, grey skies, warm rain. If it pours, we party in the rain. That’s half the point.
Saturday · 22 August 2026
How the day unfolds
Dawn
The Alvorada
A traditional brass band winds its way around the island, waking Divar up the proper way. Worth the early ferry.
3:00 PM
Flags & floats roll out
The main celebrations kick off at the centre of the island: flag parade, ward floats, dance troupes and the fancy-dress brigade.
Evening
Live music on the main stage
Bands take over as the lights come on. Food and drink stalls in full swing.
10:00 PM
Last dance
The island winds down and the ferries fill up. Until next August!
Getting There
You’ll need a ferry (that’s the fun part)
Divar has no bridge, so you’ll hop on a ferry. They run all day and aren’t free, so keep some change handy. The five-minute crossing over the Mandovi is the best festival entrance in Goa.
⛴️
From Old Goa
The busiest route on festival day: a short hop from the Old Goa jetty, near the basilica. Expect queues from mid-afternoon.
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From Ribandar
Handy if you’re coming from Panjim. Crosses to the western tip of the island.
🛵
Pro tips
Come by bike or carpool, since car queues get long. Carry a raincoat, cash for the ferry and the stalls, and patience for the ride home.
Good to Know
Got questions?
When is Bonderam 2026?
Saturday, 22 August 2026, come rain or shine. The festival is always held on the fourth Saturday of August. Main celebrations run from 3 PM onwards.
Do I need a ticket?
Nope! Bonderam is completely free. Just show up ready to celebrate.
What should I bring?
A raincoat or umbrella (it’s peak monsoon), cash for the food stalls, comfy footwear, and a very good mood.
Will there be food and drinks?
Absolutely! Stalls at the venue serve Goan snacks, full plates and drinks all afternoon and evening.
Is it family friendly?
Very. The fancy-dress parade is full of kids, and the whole island turns out with three generations in tow.
How do I get to Divar?
Take the ferry from Old Goa or Ribandar. Ferries aren’t free, so carry some change. Queues get long on festival day, so come early, ride a bike, or carpool.