Homegrown's Definitive Guide To Festivals Across The Country

As winter approaches, so does the season of art and music festivals across India. Festivals are an opportunity to expand your social boundaries while engaging in electric performances by your favourite artists as well as exploring new music and art. People attend festivals for the community, and the atmosphere and to listen to a plethora of artists come together in a carnival of culture that happens once in a while. Organizers go through ritualistic and exemplary preparation for a few nights of magical celebration where artists and their fans all come in to soak in the creative spirit of society in an inspirational and exuberant setting; making memories to last a lifetime.

Here are some of the best upcoming festivals on our radar that you should check out.

I. Grasslands Carnival

Taking place at Gokarna Forest Resort, this boutique music festival from the Himalayas is hosting a one-day experience with the curation of the best arts and entertainment on November 5. This year they are also collaborating with Gym Khana Muay Thai to present 4 Exhibition MMA Fights. Lineup and ticketing information will be revealed soon.

You can find them here.

II. DGTL

DGTL is a festival full of discovery, inspiration and surprise. For 7 years they have tantalised visitors and kept them hungry for more through music, art and production. DGTL is making a sustainable impact on the global festival landscape. It’s taking place in Mumbai on December 10 and 11 at Nesco Center, as well as in Delhi on December 9 and 10 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex.

Find more information on DGTL Mumbai here and DGTL Delhi here.

III. Majuli Music Festival 2022

Majuli Music Festival is an annual music festival held in the month of November in the beautiful natural landscape of Majuli by the bank of river Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The event will comprise live music performances by 30 independent artists from different parts of India; offering a reviving experience on an island with music, art, culture, food and traditional rice wine. It’s one of the best indie music festivals in the country.

Find more information here.

IV. Spoken Fest 2022

Spoken Fest 2022 is a celebration of art and life. They bring together storytellers, poets, creators, musicians, and some of the brightest voices in the country for two days filled with workshops and activities, and some great food. Headlining this year are When Chai Met Toast and Sid Sriram with other performers like Sumukhi Suresh, Shayan Roy, Ahsaas Channa and Babil Khan. It’s taking place on November 19 and 20 at Jio World Garden, Mumbai.

Check them out here.

V. Serendipity Arts Festival

Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) is one of the largest multi-disciplinary art initiatives in the South Asian region that spans the visual, performing and culinary arts, whilst exploring genres with film, live arts, literature and fashion. Besides the core content, which is conceptualized by an eminent curatorial panel, the festival also offers educational initiatives, workshops, special projects, and institutional engagements. The fifth edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival is taking place in Panaji, Goa from December 15 to December 23.

Find more information about the festival here.

VI. Magnetic Fields Festival

Introduced by Abhimanyu Alsisar in the year 2013, Alsisar Mahal hosts a magical musical carnival called Magnetic Fields, celebrating the best of the international underground music scene. The eighth edition of this festival has returned after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic with the theme of ‘reconnection’. It’s taking place from December 9 to December 11. Some of the artists performing this year are Four Tet, Anthony Naples, Chloe Robinson and Hamza Rahimtula.

Find more info and tickets here.

VII. Echoes of Earth

Echoes of Earth is India’s greenest music festival that assembles people from all walks of life and unites them with a celebration of great music, art and culture while upholding the leave-no-trace policy; emphasising a deep commitment to the sustenance and preservation of the Earth. This year they’re presenting stellar artists like Kerala Dust, Eelke Kleijn, The Yussef Dayes Experience and more. The fifth edition of this one-of-its-kind music festival will have four inventive stages created from upcycled material and will be held on December 3 and 4 at the Embassy Riding School, Bengaluru.

Check them out here.

VIII. Hornbill, Nagaland 

An annual Northeastern festival, Hornbill is a platform to encourage inter-tribal interaction and represent all ethnic groups of Nagaland. Organised by State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, their vision is to preserve, protect and revive the uniqueness and richness of the Naga heritage. The popular music festival witnesses some of the best acts from Indian artists in addition to performances from well known international faces. The festival will be taking place in Nagaland from 1st December to 10th December.

Find more information here. 

IX.16 mm Film Festival, Mumbai 

Entering their sixth year of hosting the 16mm film festival, Harkat Studio hopes to reconnect with film as a medium by ‘reliving the magic of churning a film through a projector onto a speckless cloth’. This year they will be screening more than 50 films from over 10 countries, including five newly produced Ek (one) minute competition films. The festival will take place in-person at Harkat Studios in Mumbai.

Find the film schedule here.

X. Goa Arts & Literature Festival (GALF)

Founded in 2010, the Goa Arts & Literature Festival annually brings together the literary collective of India. Taking place in the Indian coastal state every December, they celebrate the diverse range of thought presented by independent writers and groups with insightful conversation. The event also provides a platform to local bookstores and small publishers. Accessible to all the festival is not ticketed and open from 1st December to 5th December.

XI. Vh1 SuperSonic

Back in action, VH1 Supersonic is once again ready to set the stage for a diverse lineup of live performances. The wholesome experience will be amplified with food, fashion, art and pop culture on 24th, 25th and 26th feb at Mahalaxmi Lawns in Pune. The three day long extravaganza transcends across genres, boundaries, cuisines and artists, becoming one of the most happening music festivals of India.

Find more info and tickets here. 

XII. The Gin Explorers Club - A Mythical Land 

Creating a juniper-fuelled exploration with their Gin City, Delhi is all set for a botanical wonderland of the biggest selection of international and Indian gins. The festival will see an exclusive line-up of tasting sessions & workshops in addition to live musical acts and more. Furthermore the weekend of indulgence will be enhanced with some of the best restaurants in the city presenting their signature dishes across stalls. 

Get your early bird tickets here. 

XIII. Lollapalooza

With over three decades of pioneering live music as we know it today, Lollapalooza is all set to make their debut in India. Known as the ultimate destination for music and culture fans, the multi-genre festival will be bringing together over 40 artists across a wide variety of sounds, styles & eras. The festival will be tucked with mega installations, interactive transcendental and super chill out zones. Adding to the experience, they will be featuring lip-smacking delicacies, cocktails and drinks with gourmet pop-up kitchens, food trucks and more. 

Get your tickets here. 

XIV. Jaisalmer Literature Festival 

The 2nd edition of the upcoming Jaisalmer Literature Festival is all set to take place on 25 and 26th of December. A wholesome experience combining the literary world with adventure, culture and art. The Biggest Desert Festival will set the stage for storytelling events, book launches and poetry events all inside the Jaisalmer Fort. You can get a chance to engage with some of the most prolific writers from India and witness their interactions at the Writers Meet-up as well. 

Find upcoming event updates here. 

XV. SteppinOut, Bangalore 

Setting the stage with a distinctive lineup across 5 stages, SteppinOut Music Festival promises a real-life extension of a significant audience’s most current wishlist. Some of the most sought-after international and national artists bringing out the best of Hip-Hop, Bollywood, Techno, EDM, and much more will grace the streets of Bangalore this December. The exclusive event will span over two days and will offer an expansive experience for all music lovers. 

Get your tickets here.  

XVI. Nilgiris Wild Food Festival

An annual celebration of the indigenous and organically grown seasonal produce.The 4-5 day festival hopes to bring together local cooks, growers, organic farmers, artists, writers, musicians, local residents and visitors in its endeavour to spread awareness about native food traditions. The aim is to preserve culinary knowledge from the region and takes place from 19th to 23rd December. 

Find more information here.

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