Numerous fairs and festivals are celebrated all over Uttaranchal every year. In the Kumaon hills, the festivals celebrated are :
Uttarayani Mela
This fair is held at a number of places including Bageshwar, Rameshwar, Salt Mahadev, Chitrashila (Ranibagh), Pancheshwar, etc. on Uttarayani day. At Pancheshwar the dola of Chaumu comes down to the temple.
Shravan Mela (Jageshwar)
Jageshwar lying in the beautiful Jatganga valley, housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India, is a complex of 12 temples. Two large fairs are held at Jageshwar, one on the occasion of Shivratri (February) and the other in the month of Shravan (July-August). A dip in the Jat Ganga and in the Brahmakund, near the temple complex, is of great religious significance on the occasion.
Gananath Mela (Almora)
Situated at an elevation of 2,116 meters above sea level, Gananath is 47 km from Almora. A fair is held here every year on Kartik Poornima (October/November), when thousands of pilgrims come to worship Lord Shiva and Ganesh. Childless couples also come here in large numbers to evoke blessings for the gift of a child.
Dwarahat Mela (Almora)
Situated in the wide valley of Ram Ganga (West), Dwarahat is 38 km from Ranikhet and has a cluster of old temples. A huge fair is organised here every year on Baisakhi Day.(April)