October to February is the best time to visit Konark. Temperatures are comfortable — roughly 20–28°C — and the monsoon has cleared. December and January can be slightly hazy but are rarely unpleasant.
March to May brings rising heat; by June the Bay of Bengal monsoon arrives in force and stays through September. The rains are heavy and the humidity is extreme, but the landscape turns deep green. The temple itself is accessible year-round but can be wet and slippery during the monsoon.
The Konark Dance Festival is held in the first week of December each year, with classical Indian dance performances staged against the backdrop of the Sun Temple at night. It is one of the finest settings for classical dance anywhere in India and worth timing a visit around.