Tanvi Chakravarty

March is finally here, marking the arrival of a very Mumbai spring – aka sweltering heat and humidity. But the good news is that March somehow manages to outperform February, with an exciting lineup of events, plays, concerts, and lots and lots of music festivals.  It’s safe to say that after years of neglect, artists are finally recognising India as a major international stage. In the past few years, the world’s biggest artists have toured here – making way for the one and only Ye (previously known as Kanye West). And if that’s not your style (or you’re butthurt about tickets being sold out) then tap into the electronic music scene, with gigs and acts like Keinemusik, No Art and Anjunadeep to look forward to.  Apart from a ton of international artists performing this month, we also have some of India’s biggest names on tour. You can see Yo Yo Honey Singh, Sonu Nigam and Shreya Goshal live in Mumbai. March is also an ode to the growing rap and hip-hop culture in the city, with not one but two music festivals showcasing the country’s best rap and hip-hop acts.  If there’s a theme for March, it’s certainly enjoying the open air, drink in hand, and enjoying a live musical act. It’s an official end to 22-degree winters (freezing for Mumbaikars), and we’re kicking off a month less left until summer with a bang. Here’s everything exciting happening this March. 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better curated week for culture vultures in Mumbai than this one. Longer days and soaring temperatures marks the first teensiest arrival of mangoes, which must be the secret behind the city’s high spirits. The second week of March is packed with an eclectic mix of music festivals, stand-up shows, film festivals, screenings, musicals, and even an evening at the races. Standouts of this week definitely include Mumbai Fringe Festival, framed after Edinburgh Fringe with plays and stand-up acts from Kanan Gill, Rohan Joshi, Varun Grover and more. This weekend, there’s fun for everyone. A Sade listening session at The Revolver Club for a sultry weekly date night or opening of Wicked The Musical at NMACC for the whole family to enjoy. Cinephiles have the Red Lorry Film Festival as well as a restored screening of literary legend Aundhati Roy’s debut ‘In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones’ to choose from.  Here's a full list of everything that's on this week. Enjoy. Editor's note: We auto-delete events from this list that've already happened to make sure you don't feel the fear of having missed out.

February’s usually when the productivity panic starts to kick in. After all, it’s time for the post-January festive blues to come to an end. Never mind about the New Year resolutions that never made it past the 30-day trial run. Year after year, Mumbai runs on high-speed autopilot through January, what with Lollapalooza, but February is just as action-packed this year, and here’s everything worth checking out. It’s perhaps one of the best months for music: we have the Symphony Orchestra of India’s Spring 2026 season for western classical music lovers; John Mayer performing live; not one but TWO jazz festivals, among other really cool DJ sets, folk recitals, and of course, the Mahindra Blues Fest returning to Mumbai. Tickets are selling out faster than Labubus, but fear not if you don’t get ‘em – there’s plenty of other live music that Mumbai has on offer through the year. It’s also a big time for the artsy-fartsy. We’re kicking off the month with the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival from January 31 to February, followed by the annual All India Arts Exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery and exciting exhibits coming to NGMA, CSMVS and the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum.Theatre’s alive and kicking: a slew of shows are scheduled, from the Primetime Theatre Company to Spoken Fest 2026. Stand-up comedy shows through the month, of course, and how could I mention stand-up without talking about the BIG TICKET ITEM! Gianmarco Soresi’s touring India for the first time! Another big event to top it all of

After a legacy of serving hungry Mithibai, NM and NMIMS students and locals alike since 1978, Vile Parle’s legendary Anand Stall was – unbelievably and sadly – demolished on Sunday, March 8. The fast food joint was a famed local late night haunt for simple yet delicious dosas and buttery vada pavs, selling almost 500 daily. The unassuming stall was demolished by the BMC as part of broader urban development plans to vacate the lane, specifically to make room for new pedestrian skywalk infrastructure. Despite outrage flooding the comments of an Instagram video documenting the demolition, the owners quickly took to their official social media account to clarify that the demolition happened on the basis of a ‘mutual understanding’. The comment also offered a glimmer of hope, stating that they will 'soon be relocated nearby', so locals remain optimistic that the 40+ year old culinary institution will be back up and running in no time.   Anand Stall consistently takes the cake for having some of the best vada pav in the city, which is no small claim. Apart from that, the eatery also served over 64 varieties of dosas, frankies and sandwiches late into the night. It’s no wonder the place quickly became one of the most beloved food stalls in the city.  Its demolition truly marks a changing of the guard for the broader culture and community of iconic street food stalls in the city. Anand Stall isn't the first, and may not be the last to close its shutters due to rapid urban expansion a

If you didn’t manage to snag tickets to the Shakira concert in Mumbai, you’re in luck. The popstar has announced that she’s adding a second Mumbai date to her Feeding India 2026 tour due to ‘unprecedented demand’, much to fans’ joyous disbelief. The Colombian singer was already set to perform in Mumbai on April 10, followed by a Delhi show on April 15. Now, a third date has been added: a second Mumbai concert at the Mahalaxmi Race Course on April 11, giving fans another shot at seeing the global pop icon live. And that’s not the only thing fuelling excitement. Word has it that Punjabi pop superstar Diljit Dosanjh could be joining her on stage. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation yet on whether this is actually happening — or even which city it might take place in — the internet is already buzzing with anticipation. Well, we’re hoping that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The world doesn’t yet know how badly it needs a Lover x Hips Don’t Lie mashup. Tickets are yet to go on sale on District, StubHub and ViaGoGo, so fans should keep their eyes peeled for further announcements. The concerts will mark Shakira’s return to India for the first time in 19 years.

I’d think twice before stepping out in the city’s afternoon heat this week. The India Meteorological Department has issued its second yellow heatwave warning for parts of Mumbai, as well as Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Raigad. On March 5, temperatures in Mumbai climbed to 38.9°C – that's almost 6 degrees above normal. Today’s forecast pushes that even higher, with the mercury expected to touch 40°C and nighttime lows around 24°C. If you’re planning to be out and about, especially in the afternoon, caution is advised. Heatwave warnings are issued by the IMD when temperatures breach 37°C for more than two consecutive days. And it looks like the city will stay above that mark for a while – highs this week are expected to hover above the threshold at least until Friday, March 13. The current yellow alert is in place from March 9 to March 11. Add to that Mumbai’s AQI, which has already climbed to 142 this week after only a couple of days’ respite, and you’ve got the makings of hazy skies, lingering smog and a not-so-friendly flu season. If you can, plan outdoor errands early or late in the day, and keep that water bottle handy.

Bengaluru’s iconic Rameshwaram Café is set to open in Churchgate soon according to an announcement via their official Instagram. After four outlets in Bengaluru, and others in Pune and Hyderabad, the restaurant is finally crossing over to Mumbai. This establishment quickly became synonymous with quick service style standing eateries (or darshinis) after opening in 2021. Interesting to note: the Mumbai outlet, unlike others, will offer seated tables as opposed to just the standing tables. Rameshwaram is renowned for their rapid service, high quality food and attention to hygiene. Mumbaikars no longer have to travel to Bengaluru for authentic benne dosas, Rameshwaram's famed ghee podi idli and of course, filter coffee – specifically their bestseller filter coffee soft serve. Time Out tip: If you’re planning a visit for opening weekend, be prepared for some long queues – Rameshwaram doesn’t take reservations.  Address: Cambata Building, 42, Maharshi Karve Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020

If you’re worried the new year is already flying by, don’t. It’s actually just starting, and the hub for the Lunar New Year celebrations are at Mumbai’s oldest and only Chinese temple, the Kwan Kung Temple.  Located in Mazgaon, home to remnants of a once thriving China Town, the 150-year-old temple is celebrating Lunar New Year this year from February 17 to March 15. Late at night is when the real celebrations start – around 10pm or so. You can celebrate the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new lunar year with a lively community, fireworks, candle burning and traditional dragon dances. While the celebrations are free, for a small fee of ₹80-100, you can burn some incense and last year’s negative energy away. You can also pick out your fortune to see what the year of the fire horse (the first one in 60 years) will bring you. Don’t forget to ring the bell and hit the drum three times for good luck! Date: February 17-March 3, 10pm onwards Address: Kwan Kung Temple, Bramhadev Khot Marg, Dockyard, Wadi Bandar, Mazgaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400010

Your valentine isn’t the only one being spoiled this weekend - so is Mumbai, with a ton of concerts, festivals, stand-up shows and more. For music lovers especially, your toughest V-Day conversation with your loved one should be ‘which concert should we attend?’  There’s the obviously romantic stuff, and then there are experiences that warrant sharing with a loved one. Who doesn’t love canoodling during a movie screening? Anuv Jain | Dastakhat India tour Mumbai’s the only city on the Anuv Jain tour that’s getting special treatment – an actual Valentine’s Day show. This one really IS for the situationship era. Tickets for the Dastakhat World Tour India Leg are selling out fast so be sure to grab tickets while you can. Live serenades of his hits, like Baarishein, Jo Tum Mere Ho and Husn are perfect gifts for the occasion.  Date: February 14 Price: ₹2,500 onwards Address: The Dome NSCI, SVP Stadium, Lala Lajpatrai Marg, Lotus Colony, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018 Sanam | India tour ANOTHER Valentine’s Day treat? Known for their pop-rock hits and renditions of Bollywood classics, Indian band Sanam are making their way to Mumbai. Tickets available but selling like hot cakes. Date: February 14 Price: ₹2,999 onwards Address: South Sky, Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051 Mahindra Blues Fest  Fourteen years on, tickets are still filling fast for the Mahindra Blues Fest. It's Asia’s largest Blues festival, held this time at Mehboob Studio

In today’s edition of unexpected news on your 2026 bingo card, a part of the northbound coastal road has been made into an automotive music box of sorts. A 500-metre stretch of South Mumbai’s coastal road between Amarsons Garden and Priyadarshini Park marks India’s first musical road, where cars speeding through are triggering the melody of the hit Slumdog Millionaire song Jai Ho. The technology that does this is called ‘rumble strips’ – not unlike a vinyl record, actually. Cars travelling over the specifically marked intervals at speeds of about 70-80 km/h trigger the melody through friction between the tires and the road. Mumbai’s only the fifth city in the world to do this!  The musical stretch, inaugurated by Devendra Fadnavis at 12.30pm on Wednesday, is now open to the public to drive across. It starts approximately 500m after exiting the northbound Nariman Point-Worli tunnel. 

Those fed up with the long queues outside the Bandra outlet of Benne Dosa will be ecstatic to know that the chain is officially crossing the Sealink and opening a new location in Chowpatty.  Modeled after the classic Karnataka-style darshini (quick service restaurants where people stand and eat), the South Indian chain’s had Bandra in a chokehold for quite a while, and not without reason – the distinct texture of the dosa (the result of slabs of white butter slathered on during the cooking process), and the decision to skip serving sambhar make sure that there’s nothing quite like Benne in the city.  Owners Akhil and Shriya announced the news via their official Instagram page, including a video of the behind-the-scenes renovation work at the new location. The date, though, is still a bit of a mystery – keep your eyes peeled!

Asia’s biggest blues festival is back in Mumbai – and it’s returning right on cue for the Valentine’s Day weekend. The 14th edition of Mahindra Blues Fest takes over Mehboob Studios for two days, bringing with it a larger-than-life celebration of blues, soul, Americana, gospel and rock-n-roll.  Spread across multiple stages, the festival platforms a mix of local acts and international names, making room for both die-hard blues fans and the casually curious. It’s always been a great atmosphere for the Blues community, but you don’t necessarily have to be a loyal fan to have fun here, because the festival’s also known for copious amounts of booze, food, and fun booths that stock loads of records and artist merch. Very much a relaxed, beer-garden energy.  Then there’s the venue itself. Mehboob Studios, the legendary Bandra recording space associated with the golden age of Indian cinema, adds a sense of history to the experience that negates a little bit of that hectic, packed music festival vibe.  Here’s a glimpse of the weekend’s lineup of artists: Saturday, February 14 Altered Five Bands Blues: A Milwaukee quintet known for hard-hitting original blues Grace N’ The Cliches: A local band that won the Mahindra Blues Band Hunt   Matt Schofield: British-born, multi-award-winning guitar virtuoso Shemekia Copeland: Multi Grammy-nominee vocal powerhouse  Sunday 15 February Blackstratblues: India’s favourite Blues band, led by New Zealand-based Warren Mendonsa DK Harrell: An emerging s

For Western Classical music lovers, Mumbai is the best city in the country to catch some of the very best live performances. The Symphony Orchestra of India (or SOI for short) is India's first and only professional orchestra. Founded in 2006, the orchestra typically has two seasons a year, Spring (February) and Autumn (August) with a series of phenomenal concerts, recitals and talks held at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point.  For those in with the Western Classical music lore, previous SOI seasons have boasted performances from legendary artists and conductors like Zubin Mehta, Zakir Hussain, Maria João Pires and many more. This spring season, though, will celebrate two decades of SOI’s inception with an incredible lineup of performances throughout the month of February. Here’s a list of the concerts you simply cannot miss.  Martyn Brabbins conducts Mussorgsky, Beethoven and Holst We open the spring season with a presentation of Mussorgsky’s Prelude to Kovanshchina, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, and Holst’s The Planets by British maestro and resident SOI conductor Martyn Brabbins.  Date: Saturday, 7 February, 7pm Martyn Brabbins conducts Mendelssohn, Mahler and Shostakovich It’s a night at the opera with world-renowned mezzo soprano Dame Sarah Connolly’s rendition of Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer, which follows the SOI’s performance of Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea And Prosperous Voyage. The evening ends with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10. Date: Thursday

February brings with it the biggest street festival in the country, and perhaps even the best. The week-long FREE (yep) celebration of performing arts, cinema culture, heritage, literature and more makes for an action packed week, no matter where your interests align. Specifically: the stalls set up all week are must-sees for rare finds, homemade handicrafts, and other cute knick-knacks. Streets will completely transform into immersive, walking galleries, so keep your eyes peeled for any art you spot at Rampart Row, Cross Maidan and Horniman Circle Garden; it’s from the city’s best. Whether you want to spend your Sunday running a Women’s 5K at 5am or get your portrait at a discounted price from the city’s oldest Hamilton Studios at 8am, the possibilities are endless. But as exciting as the week is, it can tend to get crowded, fast-paced, and overwhelming. The programme itself is longer than a short novel, sitting at a cool 104 pages. Blink and you might miss interacting with some of the most prominent figureheads of the metropolitan’s culture zeitgeist. Luckily for you, I went through every single page of the programme to curate the best and the coolest of the lot for you. We know you’re busy so instead of spending the week figuring out what to do, where to go and who to see, here’s everything worth checking out at this year’s edition of the iconic festival. Some musts, some underrated events slipping through the cracks and some pure fun.  Your KGAF Week At A Glance  Wednesda

If you've driven or walked past Pali Village in recent weeks, you're likely to have been met with a disheartening sight. Longtime Bandra fixtures Pali Village Café and Pali Bhavan have shut their doors, marking another major loss in Mumbai's up-and-down restaurant landscape. There's some good and bad news here: while Pali Bhavan has, very quietly, reopened at Eros Cinema in Churchgate, there's been no official confirmation about a reopening of Pali Village Café, which now appears to be closed indefinitely. Over the years, Pali Village Café had built a reputation as one of Mumbai’s most dependable Italian restaurants – especially for pasta (I'm craving the aglio e olio as I write this), dessert, and seafood. It was a favourite among locals and had survived the city's notoriously unforgiving dining scene for a whopping 15 years (with a previous relocation under its belt, no less). Alas, it served its final meal on December 31, 2025, leaving a Pali Village-shaped hole in our hearts. It's just one of the many beloved restaurants that have shut shop in recent months – though it is the first of 2026. Last year, Mumbai lost The New Yorker in Chowpatty and B. Merwan, a 111-year-old Irani cafè on Grant Road. What made the flatlining of Pali Village Café particularly brutal, though, was how long it had clung on as a local favourite, with a rare dedication to quality that even some top-notch restaurants – great as they are – just can't match. Some consolation can, of course, be found in