Ooty, a famous hill station surrounded by Nilgiri Hills, offers a pleasant climate even in summers which attracts tourists. Ooty is famously known as the Queen of Hills, and the Summer Festival makes this place close to nature, art and tradition.
In this blog post, you will get to know more about the Ooty’s Summer Festival starting from May 3rd and last till 25th of May 2025.
Ooty’s Summer Festival Highlights
The Ooty Summer Festival 2025 organizes various events throughout the festival month. In this section will explore the Schedule of Ooty Summer Festival 2025.
- Vegetable Show (May 3–4) at Kotagiri: The Vegetable Show organized at Kotagiri in Nehru Park where you can see the creativity made from the vegetables. This is so mesmerizing that you can’t take your eyes off.
- Spice Show (May 9–11) at Gudalur: The Spice Show is scheduled to have at Saint Thomas Higher Secondary School in Gudalur from May 9th to 11th 2025. In this show, you will explore the variety of spices grown at Nilgiris. You can interact with locals as well who grow the spice through sustainable farming and exhibits during the show.
- Rose Show (May 10–12) at Ooty: The Rose Show held at the Government Rose Garden in Ooty city. This event showcases over 3,000 varieties of roses, including rare hybrids and unique colors like black and green.
- Flower Show (May 16–21) at Ooty: In this show, you feel like you are in paradise, surrounded with over 150 flower species, thematic garden and sculptures made with florals. The Flower Show is organized by the Government Botanical Garden in Ooty.
- Fruit Show (May 23–25) at Coonoor: Coonoor is perfect place to retreat, and the Fruit Show at Sim’s Park in Coonoor makes it more attractive. If you want to taste a variety of fruits, then this show is made for you, understand the richness of agriculture and explore the artistic displays made from fruits.
Apart from the scheduled events at Ooty Summer Festival, there are many other shows celebrating at the festival and major attraction points for tourists. Let’s explore it:
- Dog Show: Dog lovers can’t miss this show, organized by the South of India Kennel Club at the Government Arts College Ground in Ooty. This event showcases pedigreed breeds, the demonstration swiftness of Dogs through various acts and obedience trials which show the bond between the owner and dog.
- Boat Races: Ooty is famous for the Lakes as well and in the Ooty Summer Festival you can experience the thrill of Boat Race. The competitions are held amidst breathtaking views and in the race, you will see different sorts of boats and their rowing technique.
- Cultural Performances: The Ooty’s Summer Festival is incomplete without the cultural performances, traditional dance, music, and theatre. You will love to explore the rich artistic heritage of the Nilgiris.
Travel Essentials for Tourists
In the Ooty’s Summer Festival 2025 there are few things to be adhered to while attending the festival.
- E-Pass Requirement: To attend the Ooty Summer Festival, tourists are required to have to e-pass, the steps taken by Tamil Government is to manage tourist inflow and traffic. To apply for the E-Pass, Visit the official e-pass portal: https://epass.tnega.org. In the portal, select the ‘Tourist E-Pass for The Nilgiris’ option and fill in required details and download the pass. You will get approval within a few hours, and you can keep both hard & soft copy.
- Tickets and Entry: To attend the Ooty Summer Festival Shows (Detail in above section), you are required to buy tickets which are reasonable and available both online and at the Venue.
- What to Pack: Ooty is known for its pleasant climate and the evenings are usually chilly. I would advise packing light woolen, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a raincoat or umbrella to be prepared for sudden showers.
Accommodation
Ooty offers a wide range of stay options as per your budget. If you are looking for Luxury Resorts & Hotels, then you can choose Savoy – IHCL SeleQtions, Sterling Ooty Fern Hill or Sinclairs Retreat Ooty. For Mid-Range Hotels & Guesthouses, there are some options like Hotel Lakeview, Gem Park and Hotel Maneck Residency.
If you are looking for Lodges & Homestay, then Coonoor, Lovedale, and Wellington, offer perfect retreat.
Pro tip: Book at least 1–2 months in advance due to high demand in Festival time.
Attraction Point at Ooty
- Doddabetta Peak: The highest point in the Nilgiris, offering panoramic views.
- Avalanche Lake: A serene spot ideal for picnics and nature walks.
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway: A UNESCO World Heritage site offering a scenic train ride.
- Ooty Lake: Enjoy boating amidst picturesque surroundings.
- Ooty Municipal Market: Experience local life and shop for fresh produce and souvenirs.
How to Reach Ooty
- By Train: The scenic and popular route is via the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty. The nearest railway station is Mettupalayam which is 40kms away from Ooty. From here explore the Toy Train journey which took 5hours to reach Ooty. During the journey, enjoy breathtaking views of valleys, tunnels, and tea gardens. Do you know Nilgiri Mountain Railway is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), about 88 km away from Ooty. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from the airport.
- By Road: Ooty is very well connected through highways & hilly roads. To reach here you can take both government owned buses and private buses. If you have your own vehicle, enjoy the breathtaking scenic views throughout the journey.
Pro Tip: During the Ooty Summer Festival 2025, private buses and vans are stopped at designated points. The tourists are advised to use public transport to reach the town center.
Final Thoughts
In this blog post I have explained everything about the Ooty Summer Festival 2025. The details suffice the requirement for planning a trip. Whether you are nature enthusiast, cultural and traditional admirer Ooty is perfect gateway. If you are seeking a escape from hustle bustle life, Ooty is a perfect retreat.
Pack your bag and explore the unexplored places with Hema…………
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