This festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India conducted in during mid December to mid January in the famous city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The festival is held at a number of areas around the city by a variety of 'sabhas' or organizations. Besides the auditoriums, well-known temple location and tradition bungalows are being used as venues. The month long dance and music show will have Perform by the famous artistes from various parts of India.

The 'Margazhi festival of Dance and Music origin in the early back in 1927, to memorialize the anniversary of Madras Music Academy every December, afterward adopted by various organizations which held art festivals in different parts of the city. The Tamil month of 'Margazhi' (December) is a blessed month of the Hindus. South Indian classical music (Carnatic Music) which has its heredity in devotion to the gods has been a traditional appearance of worship from time immemorial.

The city comes alive with the festival which has now urbanized into a cultural variety with more than 2000 artists participating in over 300 concerts. The festivals also known as 'December Season' are a focus for émigré Indians and scholars from around the world as well. Performances include Vocal and Instrumental music, Dance - solo and group, both by junior and senior artistes. Even upcoming artists get a opportunity to perform along with well-established artists. The music include classical vocal renditions in various South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada and instruments like Flute, Goottuvadyam (similar to Veena but without frets), Veena (a large string instrument), 'Thavil' (percussion instrument), 'Mridangam' (drum), 'Nagaswaram' (pipe), and even 'Ghatam' (a mud pot). The season goes on till mid January when the scene shifts to Tiruvaiyaru, near Tanjore, where 'Thyagaraja Aradhana' a week long music festival is held to celebrate the birth of one of the greatest Carnatic composers and one among the trinity of music - Thyagaraja. Information about the tickets and the venues can be had from the tourist office, Chennai. The weather is cool and pleasant at this time of the year. November- December is the best season to visit the city.