Panjim, 9th May 2025 — The Spirit of Goa Festival, held on 2nd, 7th and 8th May 2025 at the scenic SAG Grounds, Colva, South Goa concluded with an overwhelming response as thousands of locals, tourists, and enthusiasts gathered to immerse themselves in Goa’s rich distilling and culinary heritage. The last two recorded a great turnout of visitors, reaffirming the festival’s stature as one of the state’s most anticipated cultural and tourism events and offering a renewed platform to celebrate Goa’s evolving spirit and culinary landscape.
The festival opened with grand performances by folk dance group Kala Samrajya Kudchade Goa, followed by lively sets from the bands Shine On and the Band Ambassadors. Day two, held on 7th May, featured performances by Neon, Tidal Wave, and Lavina and the Ensemble, captivating the audience with dynamic music and stage presence. The final day concluded on a high note with energetic performances by Pure Magic, Alcatrazz, and the popular A26 Band, leaving festivalgoers thrilled and uplifted.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, stated, “The Spirit of Goa Festival exemplifies our government’s commitment to promoting Goa’s culture and heritage in South Goa. We have created a platform that highlights local cuisine, music, dance performances for people to enjoy and immerse themselves in the real Goa. Our government will continue to support platforms like these that take Goa’s story to national and global audiences.”
Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, remarked, “By blending tradition with creativity, the festival presented a vibrant showcase of our rich heritage to the world. We are committed to strengthening such platforms that empower local artisans, distillers, and culinary talent, while also offering visitors an authentic taste of Goa’s evolving story.”
This year’s festival showcased over 40 vibrant stalls, featuring a dazzling range of locally distilled beverages, from the traditional GI-tagged Cashew Feni and innovative Feni infusions to exotic spirits, and promising ventures in wines and agave-based distillations. The diversity of raw materials both imported and domestic emphasized the innovation shaping Goa’s beverage industry.
The festival’s culinary offerings delighted guests with a journey through authentic Goan flavors, moving beyond coconut and cashew to embrace banana flower, kokum, raw jackfruit, bimbli, mango, and other regional delicacies. Dishes reflected the depth of Saraswat, Konkan, and Christian cuisines, complemented by contemporary Goan fusion and expertly curated cocktail pairings.
Festivalgoers enjoyed masterclasses on traditional cooking and exotic mixology, immersive sessions at the Feni Experience Centre, live demonstrations of Goan arts and crafts, a lively cashew stomping activity, and interactive photobooths. The entertainment lineup featured local talent showcased on a globally benchmarked stage powered by the world-class Coda audio system (Germany), elevating the festival’s cultural atmosphere.
The Department of Tourism extends its heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders, artisans, distillers, chefs, performers, and visitors who contributed to making the Spirit of Goa Festival 2025 a grand success. This event stands as a testament to Goa’s vibrant spirit — one that honors its past while confidently embracing its future.
