Siolim celebrates 35 years of their São João Festival today with colourful boat parades, music, and Goan traditions
ADITHI SHARMA | NT BUZZ
With the arrival of the monsoon, Goa gears up for Sao Joao, one of its most cherished seasonal festival. Among the many celebrations across the state, Siolim’s colourful boat parade remains a highlight. The Siolim Sao Joao Traditional Boat Festival and Cultural Organisation, now in its 35th year, is hosting the event in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa.
The festival is based on the feast of St John the Baptist. In Siolim, its biggest attraction is a colourful boat parade, with decorated floats that sail down the river in front of St Anthony’s Church. This year, the Department of Tourism will join the parade with its own float and a monsoon-themed mascot.
“Siolim Sao Joao is not just about celebrating the monsoon. It’s about keeping our traditions alive and bringing people together,” says Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik. “Events like this help promote community-led tourism and give visitors a real taste of local life.”
For those who organise it, the festival is the result of years of teamwork. Committee member Caraciol Dsouza remembers how it all started: “When Sylvester Fernandes became our president in 1990, things really began to grow. Before that, a few locals would put up a stage near the creek, hold games, and give prizes like cakes for the best kopel or the best boat. After Sylvester took over, we started calling bands, folk groups, and theatre performers.”
Even after 35 years, the organisers have stuck to their values, keeping the festival community-led, welcoming to all, and free of big commercial influence. “We’ve never taken sponsorship from alcohol brands or put up big corporate banners. That’s what makes our São João different,” says Dsouza. “This year, Goa Tourism has supported us in a way that respects what the festival is all about.”
This edition’s celebration mixes old customs with new touches. In addition to the boat parade, there will be dance performances, Goan folk music, traditional customs like Oze and Dhali, a kopel-making contest, and music by bands like Clay Jars and Johnny B Gud with Reza.
The organisers are also making efforts to be eco-friendly. “We’re not fully plastic-free yet, but we tell people to avoid plastic, tetra packs, and alcohol. We want the space to be clean and welcoming,” Dsouza says.
Local self-help groups will put up food stalls serving traditional Goan dishes. “You’ll find ros omelette, croquettes, and chops, all made by local people. It’s a great way to show off our food and support small businesses,” he adds. “We start planning as early as April, deciding on performers, guests, and all the details. Last year we had Mark Revlon, this year it’s Clay Jars.”
Dsouza says the festival has changed how people see Sao Joao. “It used to be just about jumping into wells and drinking. We’ve given it new meaning,” he says. “Now it’s about music, family, culture, and faith. And the best part is that young people are now helping organise and perform.”
The support across generations has kept the festival going. Even when money was short, the committee relied on goodwill and personal contacts. “Sylvester has a knack for getting help, from shopkeepers, builders, or friends in the Gulf or UK. They always show up for us,” Dsouza says. “There was a time we didn’t know if we could continue. But now, with help from the Tourism Department, we’re hopeful. We want to make it even better next year.”
