Heritage First Festival 2026 Returns to Goa with 47  Walks and Workshops

~ From petroglyphs and Kaavi art to biodiversity trails and heritage walks, the Heritage First Fes

tival 2026 will unfold across Panaji, Assolna, Benaulim, Old Goa, Mapusa and Margao.

~  The festival celebrates Goa’s built, natural and cultural heritage through guided walks and immersive workshops led by researchers and practitioners who have spent decades in their chosen fields.

Goa Khabar In a state where motorcycle pilots are part of everyday life, cultural researchers and heritage champions will take on the role of “Pilots”, guiding visitors through Goa’s most compelling stories. The third edition of the Heritage First Festival begins on November 14 and ends on December 6.

Organised by Heritage First Goa Learning and Education, a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to education, research and public learning around Goa’s built, natural and cultural heritage, the festival will be held in three phases.

This year’s festival features 47 walks and workshops led by Pilots, comprising local researchers, artists, naturalists, writers and craftspeople. The name pays tribute to Goa’s iconic motorcycle pilots, who have carried Goans and visitors across the state for generations.

What sets the festival apart is that several walks are adopted by Goa-based businesses and individuals who have come forward to support the initiative, an approach the organisers say no other festival follows.

“Our Pilots are the heart of this festival. Each one knows a part of Goa’s story and shares it on a walk. Walking through Mapusa, Panaji and the villages around them, you see that heritage is alive and needs people to care for it,” said Jack Ajit Sukhija, co-founder of Heritage First Goa.

“We have watched this festival grow from 32 walks in the first edition to 47 walks and workshops this year, and what moves us most is the number of people who return as guests and stay on as advocates. Heritage is protected when people have a reason to care about it,”added Heta Pandit, co-founder of Heritage First Goa.

Highlights of this edition include a petroglyphs workshop led by Onkar Kshirsagar and a community dog workshop with Vikram Hoshing. Jack Sukhija and Heta Pandit will lead the Full Moon Walk through the streets of Panaji, and Darpana Athale will lead a Kaavi art workshop. The programme will also feature a wild edibles workshop with Assavri Kulkarni, a typography walk through Mapusa with Avani Tanya and a Kunbi saree workshop exploring the art of weaving, led by Mahalaxmi Bhobe.

One of this year’s workshops is centred on the Konkani language. “A Journey Through the Diverse World of Goa’s Poetry”, a Konkani poetry workshop in Porvorim, will be conducted by Umesh Manohar Sardessai, son of Goa’s iconic poet Manoharrai Sardesai.

The festival’s walks will span Panaji, Assolna, Benaulim, Old Goa, Mapusa and Margao, taking participants across diverse landscapes, including river islands, khazans, beaches, caves and hill trails. The programme is organised around four strands: built heritage, nature and biodiversity, arts and crafts, and hands-on workshops.

“Heritage is something you have to experience in person. Our Pilots take you into villages, markets, forests and workshops, and once you have walked through them, your understanding of Goa only grows deeper.” said Snigdha Manchanda, Director of Heritage First Goa Learning and Education.

“Putting this programme together means balancing places, seasons, tides and people. Whether you want a bird walk, a hands-on craft workshop or a night walk through Panaji, there is a place for you on this schedule.” said SS Harihara, Programme Manager of Heritage First Goa.

Bookings can be made at www.heritagefirstgoa.com. Tickets are priced at ₹750 per event, inclusive of all charges. As the walks have limited places to allow participants to engage closely with their Pilots, early bookings are encouraged.

The Pilots for this edition are: Onkar Kshirsagar at Usgalimal; in Panaji, Lester Silveira, Leaxan Freitas, Rochelle D’Silva, Jack Ajit Sukhija, Pritha Sardessai, Atima Kala and Leandra Fernandes, with Heta Pandit joining Sukhija for the city-centre history walk; in Campal, Miguel Braganza and Arti Das; in Old Goa, Vimala Desouza and the Museum of Christian Art; in Mapusa, Heta Pandit and Avani Tanya; in Margao, Leaxan Freitas; in Vasco, Tejas Pandit; Daniel D’Souza in Assagão and at Caranzalem; Amar Shet and Mahalaxmi Bhobe in Mayem, with Bhobe also in Surla; Dr. Savia Viegas in Carmona; Vaibhav Salgaonkar and Dr. Subodh Kerkar in Saligão; Glenis Mendonca and Umesh Manohar Sardessai in Porvorim; Yogita Mehra in Socorro; Rahul Chandawarkar in Benaulim; Vikram Hoshing in Miramar; Katrina Fernandez and Amreen Shaikh in Chorão; Mandar Bhagat in Agacaim; Tanya Carvalho Fernandes in Siolim; Nester Fernandes at Hollant Beach and, with Salgaonkar, at Caranzalem; Rhea Lopez in Salvador do Mundo and Olaulim; Russell Cardozo on Divar and Vanxim; Prof. (Dr.) Sushila Sawant Mendes in Assolna; Darpana Athale and Shraddha Gosavi in Morjim; Bipin B on Chandreshwar Hill; Assavri Kulkarni in Nachinola; Tallulah D’Silva in Goa Velha; Meera Ganapathi in Parra; and Cyril A. Fernandes in Chicalim.