Cultural calendar 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\nJodhpur RIFF<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen: October 2-8<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Where: Jodhpur<\/p>\n
Back in its October slot, Jodhpur RIFF transforms Mehrangarh Fort into a playground for folk traditions from across the world,\u00a0 including Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Syria, Switzerland, Portugal, the UK, Poland, Finland, Spain, Canada and Colombia, besides India. This year features Lakha Khan on the 27-string Sindhi sarangi and Syrian saxophonist Basel Rajoub, and devotional singer Mahesaram Meghwal, among many others.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.financialexpressdigital.com\/2025\/09\/Jodhpur-RIFF.jpg?w=551\")
<\/figure>\nTrivia: UNESCO <\/a>recognises Jodhpur RIFF as a \u2018people\u2019s platform for creativity and sustainable development\u2019, one of only a handful of such designations worldwide.<\/p>\nPushkar Fair<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: October 30-November 5<\/p>\n
Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan<\/p>\n
Each November, Pushkar fair, also called the Pushkar camel fair or locally as Kartik Mela or Pushkar ka Mela, turns into a carnival of colour, trade and spectacle in the town of Pushkar near Ajmer in Rajasthan<\/a>. Beyond livestock deals, cultural events and competitions such as dances, tug of war between women\u2019s teams as well as men\u2019s, \u2018matka phod\u2019, \u2018longest moustache\u2019 and \u2018bridal competition\u2019 are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists.<\/p>\nTrivia: At its peak, the fair once drew more than 50,000 camels, horses and cattle, making it one of the largest livestock gatherings in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
India Art Fair\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: November 1-2<\/p>\n
Where: Hyderabad<\/p>\n
For the first time, India Art Fair makes a November appearance in Hyderabad with its \u2018EDI+IONS\u2019 format, a compact showcase of 11 galleries and three design studios at RMZ The Loft, a landmark venue in the city\u2019s emerging cultural quarter and financial business district. It previews the much larger Delhi edition from February 5 to 8, 2026. This year\u2019s \u2018Talks Programme\u2019 will build on these conversations to explore \u2018What Makes Art Happen\u2019, inviting creators and catalysts of art to reflect on historical and contemporary challenges, and unpack how art continually rises to meet the questions of our time. For more information, follow indiaartfair.in<\/a>.<\/p>\nTrivia: Since its founding in 2008, IAF has hosted over 500 galleries and 1,000 artists, an archive of South Asia\u2019s contemporary art boom.<\/p>\n
Hornbill Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: December 1-10<\/p>\n
Where: Kisama, Nagaland<\/p>\n
Every December, Nagaland\u2019s \u2018festival of festivals\u2019 gathers all 17 Naga tribes to showcase song, dance and craft in Kisama heritage village, about 12 km from the state capital Kohima. Organised by the Nagaland government to showcase the state\u2019s rich and traditional cultural heritage, this year\u2019s 26th edition will also feature adventure sports and literature alongside traditional rituals.<\/p>\n
Trivia: The hornbill bird, after which the festival is named, is sacred in Naga folklore and symbolises strength and unity.<\/p>\n
Comic Con India<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: December 5-7<\/p>\n
Where: Delhi<\/p>\n
December once again brings India\u2019s largest pop-culture gathering to NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Okhla. In its previous edition, stand-up comedians like Ashish Solanki, Ravi Gupta and Rohan Joshi along with musical performances by artistes such as singer Panther and rapper Fotty Seven added more energy to the experience. This year too, visitors can expect sprawling cosplay, comics, gaming zones and live comedy sets.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.financialexpressdigital.com\/2025\/09\/Comic-Con-India-2.jpg?w=620\")
<\/figure>\nTrivia: In 2011, Delhi hosted India\u2019s very first Comic Con, with barely a few thousand fans. Today, the event attracts over 50,000 visitors in a single weekend.<\/p>\n
Kochi-Muziris Biennale<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: December 12, 2025-March 31, 2026<\/p>\n
Where: Kochi<\/p>\n
Kochi\u2019s waterfront once again becomes the canvas for South Asia\u2019s largest contemporary art exhibition. Under the curatorship of artist Nikhil Chopra, For the Time Being will spread across 110 days of installations,\u00a0workshops and performances. The international exhibition, alongside a diverse programme of talks, performances, workshops, and film screenings, as well as key verticals including Students\u2019 Biennale, Invitations, Art By Children and the Residency Programme, will take place across various sites in Kochi.<\/p>\n
Trivia: The biennale takes its name from Muziris, an ancient port city once central to spice trade routes, linking Kerala to Rome, Egypt and beyond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sunburn Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: December 19-21<\/p>\n
Where: Mumbai<\/p>\n
Returning in December but shifting location, Asia\u2019s biggest EDM festival moves from Goa to Mumbai for the first time. With new stages and production design, expect a city-scale party with international DJs and a vast fan base. In the previous edition, Swedish DJ and EDM legend Alesso made a comeback to Goa, along with KSHMR, ARGY and Skrillex. You can check out BookMyShow or Sunburn\u2019s social media handles for more information on the festival.<\/p>\n
Trivia: Sunburn\u2019s first edition in 2007 drew fewer than 5,000 people. Today it attracts over 300,000 across its\u00a0multiple events.<\/p>\n
Jaipur Literature Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: January 15-19, 2026<\/p>\n
Where: Jaipur<\/p>\n
Back in the pink city\u2019s winter, JLF transforms Hotel Clarks Amer into a buzzing forum of debate, poetry and performance. Last year\u2019s edition brought together an extraordinary line-up, Kal Penn, David Hare, Venki Ramakrishnan, David Nicholls, Stephen Greenblatt, Ila Arun, Huma Qureshi, Prajakta Kohli, Anand Gandhi, Malini Awasthi, Kailash Kher, Kailash Satyarthi, Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, Matt Preston, Manav Kaul, Shashi Tharoor, Imtiaz Ali, and Javed Akhtar, and this year promises even more voices, stories, and experiences. The programme highlights will be announced shortly; for more information, visit jaipurliteraturefestival.org.<\/p>\n
Trivia: JLF has been described as the \u201cgreatest literary show on Earth\u201d, a phrase first coined by The Guardian that the festival now proudly embraces.<\/p>\n
Lollapalooza India<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhen: January 24-25, 2026<\/p>\n
Where: Mumbai<\/p>\n
When: October 2-8<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Where: Jodhpur<\/p>\n
Back in its October slot, Jodhpur RIFF transforms Mehrangarh Fort into a playground for folk traditions from across the world,\u00a0 including Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Syria, Switzerland, Portugal, the UK, Poland, Finland, Spain, Canada and Colombia, besides India. This year features Lakha Khan on the 27-string Sindhi sarangi and Syrian saxophonist Basel Rajoub, and devotional singer Mahesaram Meghwal, among many others.<\/p>\n Trivia: UNESCO <\/a>recognises Jodhpur RIFF as a \u2018people\u2019s platform for creativity and sustainable development\u2019, one of only a handful of such designations worldwide.<\/p>\n When: October 30-November 5<\/p>\n Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan<\/p>\n Each November, Pushkar fair, also called the Pushkar camel fair or locally as Kartik Mela or Pushkar ka Mela, turns into a carnival of colour, trade and spectacle in the town of Pushkar near Ajmer in Rajasthan<\/a>. Beyond livestock deals, cultural events and competitions such as dances, tug of war between women\u2019s teams as well as men\u2019s, \u2018matka phod\u2019, \u2018longest moustache\u2019 and \u2018bridal competition\u2019 are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists.<\/p>\n Trivia: At its peak, the fair once drew more than 50,000 camels, horses and cattle, making it one of the largest livestock gatherings in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n When: November 1-2<\/p>\n Where: Hyderabad<\/p>\n For the first time, India Art Fair makes a November appearance in Hyderabad with its \u2018EDI+IONS\u2019 format, a compact showcase of 11 galleries and three design studios at RMZ The Loft, a landmark venue in the city\u2019s emerging cultural quarter and financial business district. It previews the much larger Delhi edition from February 5 to 8, 2026. This year\u2019s \u2018Talks Programme\u2019 will build on these conversations to explore \u2018What Makes Art Happen\u2019, inviting creators and catalysts of art to reflect on historical and contemporary challenges, and unpack how art continually rises to meet the questions of our time. For more information, follow indiaartfair.in<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trivia: Since its founding in 2008, IAF has hosted over 500 galleries and 1,000 artists, an archive of South Asia\u2019s contemporary art boom.<\/p>\n When: December 1-10<\/p>\n Where: Kisama, Nagaland<\/p>\n Every December, Nagaland\u2019s \u2018festival of festivals\u2019 gathers all 17 Naga tribes to showcase song, dance and craft in Kisama heritage village, about 12 km from the state capital Kohima. Organised by the Nagaland government to showcase the state\u2019s rich and traditional cultural heritage, this year\u2019s 26th edition will also feature adventure sports and literature alongside traditional rituals.<\/p>\n Trivia: The hornbill bird, after which the festival is named, is sacred in Naga folklore and symbolises strength and unity.<\/p>\n When: December 5-7<\/p>\n Where: Delhi<\/p>\n December once again brings India\u2019s largest pop-culture gathering to NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Okhla. In its previous edition, stand-up comedians like Ashish Solanki, Ravi Gupta and Rohan Joshi along with musical performances by artistes such as singer Panther and rapper Fotty Seven added more energy to the experience. This year too, visitors can expect sprawling cosplay, comics, gaming zones and live comedy sets.<\/p>\n Trivia: In 2011, Delhi hosted India\u2019s very first Comic Con, with barely a few thousand fans. Today, the event attracts over 50,000 visitors in a single weekend.<\/p>\n When: December 12, 2025-March 31, 2026<\/p>\n Where: Kochi<\/p>\n Kochi\u2019s waterfront once again becomes the canvas for South Asia\u2019s largest contemporary art exhibition. Under the curatorship of artist Nikhil Chopra, For the Time Being will spread across 110 days of installations,\u00a0workshops and performances. The international exhibition, alongside a diverse programme of talks, performances, workshops, and film screenings, as well as key verticals including Students\u2019 Biennale, Invitations, Art By Children and the Residency Programme, will take place across various sites in Kochi.<\/p>\n Trivia: The biennale takes its name from Muziris, an ancient port city once central to spice trade routes, linking Kerala to Rome, Egypt and beyond.\u00a0<\/p>\n When: December 19-21<\/p>\n Where: Mumbai<\/p>\n Returning in December but shifting location, Asia\u2019s biggest EDM festival moves from Goa to Mumbai for the first time. With new stages and production design, expect a city-scale party with international DJs and a vast fan base. In the previous edition, Swedish DJ and EDM legend Alesso made a comeback to Goa, along with KSHMR, ARGY and Skrillex. You can check out BookMyShow or Sunburn\u2019s social media handles for more information on the festival.<\/p>\n Trivia: Sunburn\u2019s first edition in 2007 drew fewer than 5,000 people. Today it attracts over 300,000 across its\u00a0multiple events.<\/p>\n When: January 15-19, 2026<\/p>\n Where: Jaipur<\/p>\n Back in the pink city\u2019s winter, JLF transforms Hotel Clarks Amer into a buzzing forum of debate, poetry and performance. Last year\u2019s edition brought together an extraordinary line-up, Kal Penn, David Hare, Venki Ramakrishnan, David Nicholls, Stephen Greenblatt, Ila Arun, Huma Qureshi, Prajakta Kohli, Anand Gandhi, Malini Awasthi, Kailash Kher, Kailash Satyarthi, Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, Matt Preston, Manav Kaul, Shashi Tharoor, Imtiaz Ali, and Javed Akhtar, and this year promises even more voices, stories, and experiences. The programme highlights will be announced shortly; for more information, visit jaipurliteraturefestival.org.<\/p>\n Trivia: JLF has been described as the \u201cgreatest literary show on Earth\u201d, a phrase first coined by The Guardian that the festival now proudly embraces.<\/p>\n When: January 24-25, 2026<\/p>\n Where: Mumbai<\/p>\n<\/figure>\nPushkar Fair<\/strong><\/h2>\n
India Art Fair\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Hornbill Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Comic Con India<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\nKochi-Muziris Biennale<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sunburn Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Jaipur Literature Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Lollapalooza India<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.financialexpressdigital.com\/2025\/09\/Lollapalooza-India.jpg?w=620\")
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