The iconic Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) returns for its landmark 26th edition, transforming Mumbai’s historic Kala Ghoda precinct into a vibrant celebration of arts, culture, and community.
KGAF is scheduled to start from Saturday, January 31 to Sunday, February 8. Mumbai`s one of the most loved festival will run daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, inviting audiences to experience Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival—free and open to all.
Theme 2026: Ahead of the Curve
Symbolising foresight, innovation, and leadership in the arts, Ahead of the Curve reflects KGAF’s enduring commitment to staying at the forefront of cultural expression. Like a winning steed leading the pack, the festival sets the pace. KGAF this year also looks to honour tradition while anticipating tomorrow.
Organised by the Kala Ghoda Association, KGAF has grown from a local initiative in 1999 into one of India’s most loved cultural events, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Scale and Scope
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in 2026 will hold more than 300 programs across 15 verticals. The festival will also include more than 25 indoor and outdoor venues, including CSMVS Museum, Cross Maidan, David Sassoon Library, Horniman Circle Garden, and K. Dubash Marg
Free registration and entry for all events
KGAF in Mumbai this year will keep a strong focus on sustainability, diversity, accessibility, and pedestrian-friendly urban design. Brinda Miller, chairperson, Kala Ghoda Association and festival director, said, “As we embark on the milestone 26th edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, we are thrilled to continue celebrating art, culture, and community in the heart of Mumbai. This year’s theme, Ahead of the Curve, reflects our ambition to surpass last year’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.”
Festival Verticals
Children, Cinema, Dance, Food, Heritage Walks, Lifestyle, Literature, Music, Stalls – Arts, Crafts & Fashion, Stand-up Comedy,Street Programming,Theatre,Urban Design & Architecture,Visual Arts, Workshops
Each vertical interprets Ahead of the Curve through a distinct sub-theme—ranging from Spandan (Dance) and Sound Waves (Music) to Avant-Garde (Theatre), Geometri (Visual Arts), and The Learning Curve (Workshops).
Led by Geeta Castelino, KGAF strengthens inclusive participation through emotional, functional, and technical accessibility—with touch-and-feel moments, sign-language interpretation, ramps, interpreters, and inclusive programming across venues and verticals.
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026 returns to Mumbai with theme ‘Ahead of the Curve’
