Things to do in Delhi this week

What if Delhi could tell its own story? In Yeh Sheher Nahin Mehfil Hai, the Yamuna takes centre stage as the narrator, tracing the capital’s many lives, from being Indraprastha to metamorphosing into its present form, New Delhi, through the empires, cultures and histories. 

The title of the event translates roughly to ‘this is not a city, it is a gathering’. Kathak exponent Shivani Varma will be taking the stage with a layered tale brought to life through dance and theatre in a production by Sopaan. Consider it a date with Dilli’s past, will an aim to flatter it.

The evening begins with Hi-Chai from 5.30pm to 6.20pm, followed by the performance from 6.30pm to 7.15pm.

When: Thurs, November 5, 2026; 5.30pm onwards

Where: Crystal Ballroom, The LaLiT New Delhi

Nearest metro station: Barakhamba metro station (Blue Line)

The Festival of Lights bazaar is bringing a little extra sparkle to the season, with handcrafted decor, festive textiles, thoughtful gifts and artisanal treats up for grabs. Whether you’re dressing up your home, hunting for indie presents or want to browse just for the joy of it, this is one bazaar worth adding to your week.

Founded in 1981, Dastkar is a private, not-for-profit organisation working with traditional craftspeople, many of whom are women and village-based artisans. Its bazaars are designed to give makers a direct platform to sell their work to customers, helping them bypass middlemen.

Beyond its exhibitions, the organisation also conducts workshops with designers and experts from institutes such as the National Institute of Design and the National Institute of Fashion Technology to help artisans innovate while staying rooted in traditional techniques.

The upcoming Monsoon Mela is one of the several seasonal bazaars organised by Dastkar every year, making it a once-in-three-months opportunity.

When: October 22-November 3, 2026

Where: Desu Colony, Chhatarpur, New Delhi, Delhi 110074

Nearest metro station: Chhatarpur (Yellow Line)

Tickets: ₹50 per person

Art, memory and a family connection take centre stage at Haptic Memories. Curated by Kishore Singh, the exhibition brings together delicate works on paper by Indian Modernist master Avinash Chandra and his daughter, artist Alita Chandra. Expect an intergenerational artistic conversation that explores memory and the differences between their practices, from Avinash’s biomorphic abstractions and fluid lines to Alita’s own artistic language. Consider this your cue to slow down, look closer and let the art do the talking.

When: Until December 2, 10am-8pm

Where: Vadehra Art Gallery, Defence Colony, New Delhi

Nearest metro: Lajpat Nagar (Pink and Violet Lines)

Tickets: Free

If your idea of a gallery visit involves a little whimsy with art history, Rina Banerjee’s latest exhibition is for you. Born in Kolkata and based in New York, the artist takes on the colonial gaze with a practice that’s as playful as it is thought-provoking. Her work features long, poetic titles.

It’s actually a big year for Banerjee, too, with her sculpture inspired by the Taj Mahal at the Yale Center for British Art and a solo show at Perrotin in New York earlier this year.

When: Until November 18, 10am-8pm

Where: Vadehra Art Gallery, D-53, Defence Colony, New Delhi

Nearest metro: Lajpat Nagar (Pink and Violet Lines)

Tickets: Free

The names are DSR, DO, Marina Zumi, Natasha Singh, RERO, Suruchi Choksi, Space Objekt, Thebackstudio, UBIK, Vernika Singh and ZERO. 

XXL is devoted to urban contemporary and post-graffiti art, and it had opened its permanent Delhi space with the first Indian solo of the late Hanif Kureshi, co-founder of the St+art Foundation. It’s one of the closest galleries to the Defence Colony market, which has a bunch of cafes and bars.

When: Until November 28, 2026

Where: 2nd Floor, A-277, Block A, Defence Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110003

Tickets: Free