Mumbai is a city that is constantly moving. In the constant chaos, there are gems of festivals and events in Mumbai, some that you cannot afford to miss. Filled with tradition, culture, and enjoyment, the city definitely knows how to “Work hard and Party Harder”.

 Let us check out some popular events in Mumbai.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganpati or Ganesh is the most popular deity in Mumbai. Many organizations also called as “Mandals” come together and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand way.  On Pandals, music, breath-taking long idols of Ganpati, people spend lakhs of money to celebrate this festival. It usually is celebrated between the month of August to September for 1.5, 3, 5, or 10 days. Every day Aartis, feasts, dancing, and music or theatre concerts are the most popular ways of celebrating. After the celebration is done, the idols are immersed in the sea or lakes nearby. Almost every house, society, or office has got its own way of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. The most remarkable thing about Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is that the people across all age groups, statuses, caste, and also religion including Muslims and Christians celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi by setting up idols and mandaps. Ganesh Chaturthi truly is one festival that is celebrated all across Mumbai that truly unites Mumbai.

Kala Ghoda Festival

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival also is known as Kala Ghoda Festival is celebrated in the Ballard Pier region of Mumbai. It got its name “Kala Ghoda” from the Kala Ghoda island of Mumbai. It is hosted by Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai. It is one of the biggest arts festivals in Mumbai visited by thousands of people across the world. With picturesque decorations to many arts, workshops, and performances, it raises its bar every year. It takes place in the month of February every year.

Elephanta Festival

Started as a means to promote tourism by MTDC, Elephanta Festival takes place on the Elephanta Island near Mumbai. It is a traditional festival celebrated by classical performing arts like Kathak, Bharatnatyam, and Hindustani Music. Along with it, it also has got skit and play performances.

Navaratri Festival

Navaratri is celebrated during the month of September or October. Mumbai has got a big culture of Navaratri. Every locality has a Navaratri celebration that includes Garba and Dandiya. It is very common to call celebrities for the Navaratri function. Garba and Dandiya are celebrated in pandals having Durga Puja. Beautiful Pandals are set up, food is served on a large scale.

MAMI Film Festival

Mumbai Academy of film festivals commonly known as MAMI is a trust in Mumbai known to organize the MAMI Film festival. Deepika Padukone is the chairman of the trust. The festival is in its 22nd year. Every year the competition aims to bring talent all over the world to showcase their films. Short films and feature films are both awarded. It includes popular Bollywood personalities like Ashutosh Gowarikar and Farhan Akhtar as the Trustees.

Dahi Handi Festival

Celebrated a day after Krishna Janmashtami, Dahi Handi all over Mumbai is celebrated by young men and women by forming a human storey. Many organizations set up their “Dahi Matka” as high as possible and groups of young men and women break the “Matka”. Huge monetary prizes are awarded to people who are able to break the “Matka”. Political parties and leaders are involved in the celebrations of Dahi Handi.

Eid

Eid is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramadan. After the sight of the Eid full moon, Eid celebrations started. Eid is celebrated by feasting on various sweet and nonvegetarian dishes. People invite each other to celebrate Eid. Even Hindus take part in the feasting and go to Muslim houses to savor the dishes such as Sheer-Kurma and Biryani.

NCPA International Jazz Festival

National Centre for performing arts commonly known as NCPA was founded by Dr. J R D Tata and Dr. Jamshed Bhabha in the year 1969.  It is a place to promote India’s heritage in culture, music, dance, and theatre. It is situated at Nariman Point in Mumbai. NCPA annually organizes International Jazz Festival in the center. Talents from all across the world participate in the festival. It takes place during the month of October. It has a line up of performances from some amazing artists. Anyone who is a jazz music lover is going to have some amazing time performing at the festival.

Narali Pournima

Mumbai originally belonged to the “Kolis” and “Agris” the fishermen community. During the month of August or the “Shravan” month of Hindu Calendar, Narali Pournima marks the high tide time of the month. Fishermen offer “Coconut” to the sea and thank the sea god “Varun” for the gifts and their profession. Narali Pournima marks the beginning of the fishing season. All Koli people prepare their nets and boats to start the season. Narali Pournima is celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm across all the shores of Mumbai. Various cultural festivals are organized including Koli food, Dances, and Drama.

Thespo Youth Theatre Festival

Prithvi Theatre founded by Shashi Kapoor in the Juhu area of the Mumbai Organizes various workshop all year round. It also hosts a competition for theatre enthusiasts under the age of 25. It is attended by youth performers all over India. Various forms of theatre like skits, plays, reading prose one-act plays mono acting is performed.

Mood Indigo

Organized by IIT Bombay students, Mood Indigo is one of the biggest cultural festivals in India. It organizes various competitions for fine arts, dance, singing, theatre, etc having renowned judges such as Anupam Kher and Shahid Kapoor. It is also known for its social events such as Thalassemia, Sparsh, etc. It also hosts IMF and Bollywood concerts.

Busking

Although Busking is not a festival or an event of the city, it is a very unique type of performance. Artists perform on the streets for people. Although it is very popular in the west, for a long time it was not allowed in India. After the Initiative by NSPA (Natural streets for Performing Arts), many music artists can now perform on the streets without cops driving them away. You can see many performers on Marine Drive or Metro stations.