Quick answer
October to March is the best time to visit Delhi, with February and March the most comfortable: 24–30 °C days and cleaner air. November to January is cool but often hit by smog and fog, which can delay flights and trains. April to June is extremely hot, and July to September is humid with heavy downpours.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan20°Good
- Feb24°Best
- Mar30°Best
- Apr36°Fair
- May40°Avoid
- Jun39°Avoid
- Jul35°Fair
- Aug34°Fair
- Sep34°Fair
- Oct33°Best
- Nov28°Good
- Dec22°Good
Delhi weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryGood | 20° / 8° | 19 mm | high | Cold, foggy mornings; Republic Day closes central Delhi on 26 January and rehearsal days. |
| FebruaryBest | 24° / 11° | 20 mm | high | Clear, mild days; Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhavan opens. |
| MarchBest | 30° / 16° | 15 mm | medium | Warm and pleasant; Holi; last comfortable month before the heat. |
| AprilFair | 36° / 22° | 10 mm | low | Hot afternoons; museums and indoor sights in the middle of the day. |
| MayAvoid | 40° / 26° | 30 mm | low | Peak heat, 44 °C or more on bad days; dust storms. |
| JuneAvoid | 39° / 28° | 75 mm | low | Heat with rising humidity; the monsoon usually arrives late in June. |
| JulyFair | 35° / 27° | 210 mm | low | Monsoon downpours; waterlogged roads and traffic jams. |
| AugustFair | 34° / 27° | 250 mm | low | Wettest month; green parks, sticky heat. |
| SeptemberFair | 34° / 25° | 125 mm | low | Humid; rains taper off late in the month. |
| OctoberBest | 33° / 19° | 15 mm | medium | Clear early in the month; Ramlila and Dussehra. |
| NovemberGood | 28° / 13° | 5 mm | high | Pleasant temperatures, but smog often peaks after Diwali. |
| DecemberGood | 22° / 8° | 8 mm | high | Cold, festive and foggy; air quality often poor. |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Delhi
8 November 2026
Diwali
Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar and Sarojini Nagar are packed the week before; firecracker smoke worsens the air.
14–27 November, Bharat Mandapam
India International Trade Fair
State pavilions and shopping; roads around Pragati Maidan jam up.
26 and 29 January
Republic Day and Beating Retreat
Tickets sold online by the Ministry of Defence; central Delhi closes on rehearsal days.
About February to March
Amrit Udyan
Rashtrapati Bhavan's gardens open to the public; free entry with an online time slot.
Around 22 March 2027
Holi
Street colour play across the city; many monuments are quiet that morning.
When is the best time to visit Delhi?
October to March, but the window has two halves. February to mid-March and the first half of October are the most comfortable: warm days, cool evenings and breathable air. November to January is cooler and festive, but smog and fog are a real risk.
The smog question
From late October to January, crop-residue smoke from neighbouring states, vehicle exhaust and still winter air push Delhi's AQI into the 'very poor' or 'severe' range on many days. Schools sometimes shut and construction is halted. If anyone in your group has asthma or a heart condition, February–March is the safer choice. Carry N95 masks in winter regardless.
Month by month
October–November. Ramlila grounds across the city, Dussehra and Diwali (8 November in 2026). Temperatures of 25–30 °C are pleasant, with smog building after Diwali.
December–January. Nights drop to 5–8 °C. Dense fog delays morning flights and upends rail timetables on some days. Republic Day closes much of central Delhi on 26 January and on rehearsal days before it.
February–March. The best weeks. Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhavan opens, Lodhi Garden and Sunder Nursery are in flower, and Holi arrives in March.
April–June. 40–45 °C afternoons. Sightseeing works only at dawn; the Metro, museums and malls are your friends after 11 am.
July–September. Heavy, short downpours and waterlogged roads. Fewer tourists and lower hotel rates.
The Red Fort, Akshardham, the Lotus Temple and the National Museum close on Mondays. Put markets, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar on a Monday.
Plan the rest
See things to do in Delhi, where to stay in Delhi and the Delhi food guide. Delhi is the start of most Golden Triangle trips, and a morning Shatabdi or a one-hour flight connects it to Amritsar.
Frequently asked questions
Is Delhi safe to visit during the smog season?
What is the hottest month in Delhi?
Can tourists watch the Republic Day parade in Delhi?
When does Amrit Udyan open to the public?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
