Your complete arts and culture guide for Mumbai in 2026

Allstar nightComing in January 31Grammynominated 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 Grammywinning 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 NCPABeyond the cityComing in JanuaryHoused 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 residenciesGoethe goes to Malabar HillExpected in Mid2026GoetheInstitut Mumbai is currently located inside CSMVS in FortAfter a prolonged search since 2022 the Goethe Institut will move out of Kala Ghoda to Malabar Hill ldquoWe 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 Institutrsquos programmingrdquo director Bjorn Ketels revealedArt of healingComing in MayThe festival will spotlight art forms like clowning PIC COURTESYTMAHFThe 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 MumbaikarsLaugh with LouisComing in MarchLOUIS CK PIC COURTESYLOUIS CKThink you can take a joke Watch Emmy and Grammy Awardwinning comedian Louis CK bring his unmistakable brand of dark drywit 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 SionTicket to historyComing in MarchA ticket from the collection PIC COURTESYMAPORGAfter 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 ticketA gift to rememberComing in Mid2026Sandhya GokhaleIn 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 yearTo be or not to beComing in January 17 18Writerdirector Vinay Kumar inverses the view of the Bardrsquos most famous work by outlining Hamletrsquos toxic masculinity in A Woman Or Not To Be by the Pondicherrybased Adishakti Theatre Group at Prithvi Theatre Nimmy Josephrsquos young princess Hamlet and her conundrum of revenge exposes the patriarchal trapSay it out loudComing in FebruarySwanand Kirkire PIC COURTESYSWANAND KIRKIREThe art of spoken word storytelling and poetry returns with Spoken Fest Asiarsquos largest spoken word festival It features the talents of lyricist Swanand Kirkire actor Sheeba Chadha poet Waseem Barelvi and writer Shantanu Anand among other artistesArtistic migrationComing in JanuaryFebruaryA work by Mithu Sen Pic CourtesyArtist Chemould Prescott RoadMithu Sen will open a new exhibition of mixedmedia works about the ability to see clearly What Do Birds Dream At Dusk at the Chemould Prescott Road