October is packed with diverse events across India, from Navratri Utsav featuring Falguni Pathak in Mumbai to Delhi's HorrorCon India. Highlights include Max Richter's India debut, GamingCon Bharat, and the Dusk to Dawn concert at Purana Qila. Creative minds can explore IFP Season 16, while cultural enthusiasts can enjoy Ticket to Hornbill and Raftaar's live concert.
The monsoon months are over, finally! The skies have cleared up, the weather is getting better, the venues are back again. And now we're are again in the best season to head outdoors for the most happening events across the city. Read on for the best events to plan in advance for in your city this October.
For Mumbaikars, Navratri barely feels complete without a Falguni Pathak performance. This year, Navratri Utsav brings nine nights of live music, Garba and plenty of festive energy to an indoor venue at BKC. Expect Pathak’s much-loved hits, including Chudi Jo Khanki Haathon Mein and Maine Payal Hai Chhankai, to soundtrack the celebrations. There will also be food and beverage options for anyone looking to take a break between Garba sessions.
Where: Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai
When: October 11 - 19, 2026
IFP Festival returns with its 16th edition, bringing together filmmakers, actors, creators, podcasters, marketers, tech minds and curious audiences for two days of conversations and experiences. The programme spans film, music, literature, streaming, photography and art, with workshops, panel discussions, live performances and interactive sessions. Whether you are studying, working in the creative industries or simply spend too much time thinking about cinema, there should be plenty to explore.
Where: Mehboob Studios, Bandra West, Mumbai
When: October 24 and 25, 2026
Max Richter makes his India debut this October, bringing his blend of classical orchestration and electronic textures to Mumbai. The Oscar-nominated composer and pianist is known for albums such as The Blue Notebooks and Sleep, while his 2024 solo album In a Landscape continues his exploration of intimate, atmospheric composition.
Where: NMACC, BKC, Mumbai
When: October 24, 2026, 7:30pm
GamingCon Bharat 2026 is set to bring gamers, esports fans, developers, creators and cosplay enthusiasts together in Mumbai for a weekend devoted to the country’s gaming culture. The two-day programme will spotlight emerging Indian game developers while also exploring careers, technology and the growing role of AI within the industry.
Where: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai
When: October 17 and 18, 2026
Manav Kaul returns to the stage with Traasadi, a Hindi play written, directed and performed by the actor-writer. At its heart is a deeply personal story about a mother, loss and the repentance left behind by her absence.
Where: NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: October 15, 2026, 7:15pm
A concert at Purana Qila is already a memorable setting. Dusk to Dawn takes the idea further by stretching the experience across an evening and the following morning. New Zealand-based vocalist Amrita Kaur returns to India for two performances as part of Inkpot India’s Songs of the Stone series. The first explores ghazal, Indian classical, Sufi and contemporary music at sunset, while the morning programme turns towards spiritual music.
Where: Purana Qila, Mathura Road, New Delhi
When: October 10, 7pm to 10pm; October 11, 7am to 10am
Delhi is getting a Halloween event designed for anyone who prefers their pop culture with a little more darkness. HorrorCon India brings together cosplay, music, comedy, magic, film screenings, immersive gaming and meet-and-greets, with performances by Seedhe Maut, Wish, Nkshtra and NoizX.
Where: N.S.I.C Exhibition Grounds, Okhla, New Delhi
When: October 31 to November 1, 2026
Delhi gets a preview of Nagaland’s celebrated Hornbill Festival with Ticket to Hornbill, a two-day event bringing the state’s music, heritage and artistic traditions to the capital. The opening day will feature cultural performances, live music and artistic presentations, with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expected to attend. Day two shifts focus to a band battle presented by Casio India, with a ₹20 lakh cash prize pool and ₹5 lakh worth of individual instrument prizes. The winning band will also earn a performance slot at December’s Hornbill Music Festival in Kisama Village.
Where: Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
When: October 16 and 17, 2026, from 5pm
Raftaar will headline the TV9 Festival of India 2026 with a live performance celebrating one of the biggest names in Indian hip-hop. The rapper, born Dillin Nair, has built his career around rapid-fire lyrical delivery and beats spanning rap and hip-hop. His catalogue includes tracks such as Andhadhun, Meri Laila from A Gentleman and Swag Mera Desi.
Where: Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, New Delhi
When: October 17, 2026
The Ministry of Culture’s BRICS Theatre Festival brings theatrical traditions and contemporary narratives from BRICS member and partner countries to Delhi for three days. The festival opens at the National School of Drama with Sagar Manthan, followed by performances including Iluh Tana by a theatre troupe from Indonesia. Additional shows will take place across the Mandi House cultural hub, including venues such as Kamani, LTG, Sammukh and Meghdoot.
Where: National School of Drama and other venues in Mandi House, New Delhi
When: October 12 to 14, 2026
Agatha Christie’s courtroom mystery Witness for the Prosecution comes to Bengaluru this October, bringing one of the author’s best-known tales of suspicion and deception to the stage. The story follows Leonard Vole, who finds himself accused of murdering a wealthy woman.
Where: Alliance Française, Bengaluru
When: October 16, 2026
Sonu Nigam brings his The Revolution India Tour to Bengaluru this October, giving fans a chance to hear one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable voices live. The singer’s catalogue spans decades, with songs covering romance, heartbreak, celebration and everything in between.
Where: Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru, Bengaluru
When: October 24, 2026
India Design ID returns to Mumbai for its third edition, bringing together architecture, interiors, art, design and material culture under one roof. The event will feature more than 120 Indian and international brands, alongside global voices, special exhibitions, talks and experiences. Names on the programme include Nilaya, Poliform, Baccarat, Oorjaa, Hands and Minds and Kohler.
Where: Jio World Garden, BKC
When: October 9-11, 2026
The 17th edition of Mumbai LitFest returns to NCPA this October with a programme built around books, ideas and conversations with some of India’s best-known literary and cultural voices. The festival’s focus on Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis gives the edition a strong thematic anchor, while the lineup includes Shashi Tharoor, Gagan Gill, Javed Akhtar and Gulzar.
Where: NCPA, Nariman point, Mumbai
When: October 23-25, 2026
The HSBC Bollywood Music Project celebrates its 10th edition this October with a full day dedicated to Hindi film music and live performances. The lineup brings together established names and bands, including Babul Supriyo, Hariharan, Shilpa Rao, Neeraj Shridhar, Anmol Malik, Anu Malik, Euphoria and Bombay Bandook.
Where: Jio World Garden, Mumbai
When: October 24, 2026
IBTIDA brings its intimate Ghazal Aur Baatein mehfil to Safdarjung Tomb this October, with filmmaker and musician Vishal Bhardwaj at its centre. The evening will combine ghazals, stories, memories and conversation against the sandstone architecture and charbagh gardens of the 18th-century monument. Founded by Tanvi Singh Bhatia and Anubhav Jain, IBTIDA approaches the traditional mehfil through a contemporary format while retaining its intimate spirit.
Where: Safdarjung Tomb, New Delhi
When: October 11, 2026
Fold brings Indian menswear labels into a physical retail setting with a two-day luxury pop-up built around discovery rather than mass-market shopping. More than 20 labels will participate, including 11.11 eleven eleven, rkiveity, Margn and VIXII, while VIXII, Unscene and Oshin will make their first physical retail appearances.
Where: IFBE, Ballard Estate, Mumbai
When: October 17-18, 2026
Singer-songwriters Garvit Soni and Priyansh Srivastava, better known as Garvit-Priyansh, bring their music to NCPA for an evening rooted in Hindi melodies, nostalgia and contemporary orchestral arrangements. The duo, known for songs such as Kahe Mose and Kagaz, combines traditional Indian melodic sensibilities with arrangements influenced by Bollywood. Priyansh also writes the lyrics, giving the songs a more personal dimension.
Where: NCPA, Nariman point, Mumbai
When: October 9, 2026