The big fat festival calendar
Editor’s note: As the season kicks into overdrive, we have a massive roundup of all the major arts and culture festivals taking place across India. From the classics like JLF, Lollapalooza, or Kala Ghoda, to the rather more interesting boutique festivals that offer delightful new experiences to patrons—add these to your calendar pronto.
Written by: Mekhala Singhal
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Why you should go: This multidisciplinary festival held in Mumbai—with performances, workshops, and panels conducted by experts across fields including storytelling, publishing, performance arts, and more—is perhaps best known for its 50-hour challenges. Take the filmmaking challenge, for example: contestants are allowed 50 hours to write, direct, shoot and edit a film for the competition, which will then be judged by industry professionals. And these challenges aren’t just for filmmakers, but for writers, musicians, photographers, designers, and performing artists as well.
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: October 24–25, 2026
Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
Why you should go: Well, other than the gorgeous cherry blossom blooms that paint the skies and ground pink, this festival in picturesque Shillong consists of food stalls, art exhibitions, and—what it has now grown to be known for—a range of music performances.This year’s headliners include American rock band Boys Like Girls and R&B singer Khalid.
Where: Shillong, Meghalaya
Where: November 20–21, 2026
Why you should go: Nagaland hosts one of the most famous multicultural festivals on the calendar—Hornbill, the ‘festival of festivals’. How could you say no? Organised by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, this 10-day carnival showcases all facets of Naga culture and tradition, where people from different tribes and backgrounds come together to celebrate communally. Performances, art, crafts, food fairs, games, and more await you.
Where: Kisama, Nagaland
When: December 1–10, 2026
Why you should go: What’s special about Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) is its curator-led approach, which refuses to let the definitions of ‘genre’ box in what art and culture means. This year, events include workshops for woodworking and food photography; a Kathakali-infused adaptation of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea; theatre presentations; art exhibitions. And best of all: it takes place in Goa. SAF invites you to walk through the lanes of Panjim to soak in an interconnected series of events pushing the envelope.
Where: Panjim, Goa
When: December 13–20, 2026
Why should you go: South Bombay’s Kala Ghoda precinct comes alive with this street festival. All the iconic spots become venues for events and programming—David Sassoon Library houses literature events, Cross Maidan and Asiatic Library are music hotspots—and Kala Ghoda itself becomes an open-air art exhibition.
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: January 31–February 8, 2027
Why you should go: While this year’s lineup hasn’t yet been announced, last year’s speakers are a pretty good sign that this queer, inclusive festival isn’t one to miss. The previous edition featured, among others, Sandip Roy, Arundhati Ghosh, and Urvashi Butalia, not to mention artists, performers, and founders of major queer organisations. The festival includes panels, screenings, talks, and performances.
Where: Delhi NCR
When: February 6-7, 2027
LITERATURE
Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest
Why you should go: Now in its 17th year, Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest (colloquially known as Lit Live!) has been remarkably consistent with its lineup of speakers and performers. This year, they have writer Shanta Gokhale, journalist Faye D’Souza, lyricist and poet Gulzar, actor and performer Ratna Pathak Shah, graphic novelist Sarnath Banerjee, and more. The sessions are supplemented with exciting workshops and theatre performances.
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: October 23–25, 2026
Why you should go: Another star-studded literary lineup at India’s most famous lit festival. Last year, JLF had Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq as a speaker, and this year again has an exciting roster: Esther Duflo, Isabella Hammad, Sudha Murty, Avni Doshi. All of this, set against the gorgeous Pink City.
Where: Jaipur, Rajasthan
When: January 14–18, 2027
ART
Why you should go: Galleries from around the world exhibit at Art Mumbai every year. If you’ve attended Art Night Thursday in Mumbai, then you’ll know the endless list of galleries the city has to offer, such as Art and Charlie, Fulcrum Art, Experimenter; and many of them are represented at this festival (along with several artists and galleries from the rest of India and abroad). Besides the actual art showcase, Art Mumbai, which takes place at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, also offers visitors panels, talks, and immersive art experiences.
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: November 12–15, 2026
Why you should go: The largest showcase of contemporary South Asian art in the world, with big names such as DAG and Bengaluru’s Museum of Art and Photography displaying works. Their programming is robust and centres art from India and outside, while also focusing on talks and workshops, along with some really interesting events for young artists and art collectors looking to make their way in the industry. PS—don’t miss out on the guided tours!
Where: Delhi NCR
When: February 4–7, 2027
FILM
Dharamshala International Film Festival
Why you should go: Film festivals in India are increasingly shrinking. The Dharamshala International Film Festival, however, is still ongoing and offers a great curation of films from India and outside. But the bigger draw here is the setting. DIFF takes place in the dreamy McLeod Ganj and, during the festival period, the place transforms into a comforting microcosm of film lovers and enthusiasts alike. After all, so much of the joy in watching films hinges on how we watched them.
Where: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Where: October 29–November 1, 2026
MUSIC
Why you should go: One of India’s most exciting heavy metal festivals, running since 2012, is back with its latest edition. While originally, the mighty Carcass were slated to headline, Swedish death metal pioneers have stepped in at the last minute instead. The two-stage festival features a host of other explosive international acts—including Paradise Lost and 1349—as well as some fine Indian bands. Expect loads of growling, bone-crunching riffs over double-bass drums, and, well, moshpits.
Where: Bengaluru, Karnataka
When: October 10, 2026
Why you should go: Jodhpur’s stunning Mehrangarh Fort, a 15th century monument atop a hill, serves as backdrop to the very evocative varieties of global classical, folk, and fusion music that this festival is known for. The entire city of Jodhpur comes alive, with local Manganiyar and other folk musicians getting to share a stage with celebrated artists from across the world. The festival coincides with the brightest full moon of the year, and performances can begin at dawn and run through the day and well into the evening. A particular highlight this year is ‘The Book of Queens’, a collaborative performance celebrating female figures from India, Europe, and Iran. It’s led by Camille Bordet, Persian-speaking French opera singer, and features young Rajasthani kamaicha virtuoso Kode Khan Manganiyar and Hindustani singer Smita Bellur.
Where: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
When: October 22–26, 2026
Why you should go: Electronic music is at the forefront of this sustainability-forward music festival that first started life in Amsterdam. This year—its sixth edition in India—composer, producer, and DJ BIIANCO headlines. Also on the lineup are artists like Blu Attic from New Delhi, techno artist Phil Berg from Berlin, and more.
Where: Mumbai. Maharashtra & Bengaluru, Karnataka
When: November 13–14, 2026
Why you should go: Sustainability lies at the heart of this charming alternative eco-friendly music festival held in Bengaluru; they have a zero plastic policy, with effective waste management as well as use of recyclable or biodegradable materials and drinking water at the venue eliminating the need for plastic bottles. Alongside its noble intentions, Echoes of Earth is also a fantastic exhibition of electronic and alternative music, with American downtempo duo Thievery Corporation (of ‘Lebanese Blonde’ fame) headlining this year’s action-packed edition.
Where: Bengaluru, Karnataka
When: December 5–6, 2026
Why you should go: Rolling Loud India, which brought Wiz Khalifa (as well as Karan Aujla, Central Cee, and Hanumankind) to Mumbai’s adoring audiences last year, is back this December. While this is the second edition to be held in India, the global festival is in fact considered one of the world’s biggest hip hop festivals. They’re slowly rolling out the details about this year’s edition, but we can safely say it’ll be a hip hop carnival.
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: December 12–13, 2026
Why you should go: In 2023, Asia’s first ever Lollapalooza took place in India. Since then, the lineup has only gotten more interesting and more exciting. This year, Lolla brings down stars like Olivia Dean, 5 Seconds of Summer, KATSEYE, Limp Bizkit, and Fontaines DC. Not to mention the wonderful list of Indian musicians and indie artists performing. There’s something here for everyone, and especially for music lovers. (Read our list of artists to watch out for at Lolla ’27.)
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: January 23–24, 2027
FOOD
Why you should go: Eating communally is one of the most human acts one can partake in. And while gluttony may be a sin, this festival sounds so sinfully spectacular that we think all is forgiven. Two days dedicated entirely to food, drink, and culinary culture. Boutique wineries, artisan bakeries, cocktail bars, to name a few, have tasting options. Workshops and panels on coffee, restauranting, sustainable farming. A bonus: you can also shop for pantry additions and home decor.
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: October 10–11, 2026
THEATRE
Why you should go: Windermere Auditorium, the venue for this, is home to a beautiful Black Box theatre, with 50+ repertory productions under its belt and host to 16 national theatre festivals to date. The space not only brings a diverse and inclusive theatre culture to the town of Bareilly, but also focuses on building a future for young theatremakers, with annual awards at their festival, and workshops for disabled youth as well.
Where: Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
When: January–February 2027
GAMING
Why you should go: A treat for all gamers—an expo with the latest games and tech, conferences with industry leaders, cosplay competitions, and gaming stations for all. And a highlight we recommend you check out: a showcase of contemporary Indian indie game-makers, with new games!
And this time, the festival is a collaboration with Meeplecon. So even if you don’t consider yourself a ‘gamer’ in the conventional sense, and much prefer game nights playing Catan, or Monopoly, or even Snakes & Ladders with your friends well into the night, this is right up your alley. This part of the gaming convention is filled with tabletop board games, strategy games, party games, and more. (Read our essay on word games, puzzles, and logic games here.)
Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
When: October 17–18, 2026
COMICS
Why you should go: India’s biggest celebration of comic books and all manner of pop culture worlds and fandoms, with a new entrant added to the roster this time. Comic Con India, which began in 2011, has now added Navi Mumbai to its calendar, with Delhi, Vizag, and Hyderabad rounding off the roster. Expect lots of cosplay events, lots of diehard comic book fans, movie fandoms, and just an overall blast really.
Where: Multiple cities
When: October–December
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Mekhala Singhal is Assistant Editor at Advisory.
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