How BLR Hubba Is Turning Bengaluru Into A Living Cultural Map

Bengaluru is a strange city. I’m in my fourth year of living here, and just when I think I’ve figured it out, it reveals something new about itself. What began as a simple mud fort built by Kempe Gowda in 1537 has grown into a sprawling metropolis: one where time somehow slows down and speeds up simultaneously, and where every corner feels like a quiet celebration of what the city stands for.

It is this ever-evolving spirit that the third edition of BLR Hubba seeks to capture. Set to take over Bengaluru from 16–25 January, the festival calls itself the “festival of all festivals” (hubba means festival in Kannada). This nine-day celebration of art, food, music, and more, which is a city effort in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka,  unfolds across the city, transforming iconic venues, from Freedom Park to Panchavati, C.V. Raman’s former residence turned museum, into vibrant cultural spaces.

The festival has multiple subfestivals, like the Kantha Hubba which is a multi genre music festival, featuring daily performances at Freedom Park, which used to be the Central Jail, and is now a hub for cultural events and performances. With a line-up including Bangalore based producer, Sakré, pioneers of the Indian folk-rock scene, Indian Ocean, and legendary guitarist, Marty Freedman, to name a few. 

Thindi Hubba, is a deep dive of the relationship between Bengaluru and food. Now yes, everyone knows that Mumbai and Delhi are incredible food cities in our country, but nobody and I mean nobody, does breakfast like Namma Ooru. From guided walks planned across the city to Pickling Workshops, BLR Hubba has something for everybody. 

On weekends, the city’s streets are turning into festivals of their own, with neighbourhoods like Koramangala and Sanjay Nagar coming together to celebrate the very roads of Bengaluru. At Rasthe Hubba, the street becomes the heart of the neighbourhood. For one joyful day, familiar roads are reclaimed as welcoming public spaces: lined with food stalls and local markets, animated by music, dance, and live performances.

By stretching beyond conventional venues and spilling into parks, museums, kitchens, and even neighbourhood streets, it reminds the city of what it does best: bringing people together in unexpected ways. Whether it’s through music echoing in a former jail, or roads briefly freed from traffic to become spaces of joy and encounter, the festival captures a Bengaluru that is generous, and deeply rooted in community. 

You can find out more through the website here, and check out their Instagram here.

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