From new festivals, to big moves in the culture space, 2026 promises a wave of new discoveries, tinged with some nostalgic homecomings
Billy Kilson. PIC COURTESY/ BILLY KILSON
All-star night
Coming in: January 31
Grammy-nominated American drummer Billy Kilson will bring January to a close with his signature groove and swing on the Mumbai stage. Keep up with his tempo as the drummer joins the talented duo of Grammy-winning pianist, composer, arranger and producer Geoffrey Keezer and American jazz double bassist Essiet Okon on his Mumbai debut at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA).
Beyond the city
Coming in: January
Housed within a historic chapel in the hills of Khandala, Abbey 301 will turn into a versatile hub dedicated to both performing and visual arts. Founded by duo Krish and Kamini Kotak, it will host live music and theatre shows, as well as artist residencies.
Goethe goes to Malabar Hill
Expected in: Mid-2026
Goethe-Institut, Mumbai is currently located inside CSMVS in Fort
After a prolonged search since 2022, the Goethe Institut will move out of Kala Ghoda, to Malabar Hill. “We had been on the lookout for a new place that would fit our needs. Unfortunately, we could not find one in Kala Ghoda. The new place will bring together the library and education centre in one building. Its vast open space and high ceilings also allow us to host a new gallery, a key part of the Institut’s programming,” director Bjorn Ketels revealed.
Art of healing
Coming in: May
The festival will spotlight art forms like clowning. PIC COURTESY/TMAHF
The city will receive a healing touch in 2026 with The Mumbai Arts and Health Festival (TMAHF) that kicks off in Bandra and Andheri. With clowning artistes, medical experts, as well as visual creators, expect therapy wrapped in laughter for Mumbaikars.
Laugh with Louis
Coming in: March
LOUIS CK. PIC COURTESY/LOUIS CK
Think you can take a joke? Watch Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian Louis CK bring his unmistakable brand of dark, dry-wit humour to Mumbai for the first time. After the success of his specials Sorry and Sincerely, the comedian will premiere his solo show Ridiculous at Shanmukhananda Hall, Sion.
Ticket to history
Coming in: March
A ticket from the collection. PIC COURTESY/MAP.ORG
After its run in Bengaluru, the Ticket, Tika, Chhaap exhibition will make its way to the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in March. Curated by Nathaniel Gaskell and Shrey Maurya, the collection of photographs, paintings, and printed ephemera that offer a window into the Colonial tradition of the textile ticket.
A gift to remember
Coming in: Mid-2026
Sandhya Gokhale
In November 2025, playwright Sandhya Gokhale opted to create a play, Silhouettes, to celebrate the 75th birthday of actor Amol Palekar. The work, a moving triptych on feminism, catharsis, and personal triumph, will make its way to the stage this year.
To be or not to be?
Coming in: January 17, 18
Writer-director Vinay Kumar inverses the view of the Bard’s most famous work by outlining Hamlet’s toxic masculinity in A Woman Or Not To Be by the Pondicherry-based Adishakti Theatre Group at Prithvi Theatre. Nimmy Joseph’s young princess Hamlet and her conundrum of revenge exposes the patriarchal trap.
Say it out loud
Coming in: February
Swanand Kirkire. PIC COURTESY/SWANAND KIRKIRE
The art of spoken word storytelling and poetry returns with Spoken Fest, Asia’s largest spoken word festival. It features the talents of lyricist Swanand Kirkire, actor Sheeba Chadha, poet Waseem Barelvi, and writer Shantanu Anand, among other artistes.
Artistic migration
Coming in: January-February
A work by Mithu Sen. Pic Courtesy/Artist, Chemould Prescott Road
Mithu Sen will open a new exhibition of mixed-media works about the ability to see clearly, What Do Birds Dream At Dusk?, at the Chemould Prescott Road.
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