December has officially gone into beast mode with India’s art and culture scene leading the charge. This is the month when every corner of the country turns into a stage, a studio, and a storybook, all at once. From thought-provoking talks and hands-on workshops to jaw-dropping visual art, sensorial dance acts, and electrifying music performances, these festivals don’t just entertain, they shape our worldview.
First, a quick recap. December kicked off with the country buzzing like a beehive: Odisha wrapped up its International Sand Art Festival; Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival lit up the hills with folk music, indigenous sports and flavour-packed cuisine; Delhi’s much-awaited Jashn-e-Rekhta drew poetry lovers like moths to a flame, and Rajasthan’s Jaigarh Heritage Festival returned with soulful music, miniature art and a craft bazaar. And the good news is, there’s no stopping. With each passing day, December’s art and culture calendar is expanding. So if you’re itching to pack your bags and chase the top art and culture events to attend in India, consider this your go-to friendly guide.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), Kerala
The sixth edition of the South Asia’s largest contemporary art festivals, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, is finally here. Expect conversations around art, screenings, food pop-ups, music, theatre, workshops and performances from 66 artist projects spread across 22 venues at Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam for over 110 days of cultural immersion!
Dates: On Till March 31, 2026
Venue: Multiple venues across Kerala
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Three Moderns exhibition, Delhi
This striking exhibition brings together three legends of Indian modern art, Himmat Shah, Krishen Khanna and Thota Vaikuntam under one roof. Curated by Uma Nair, ‘Three Moderns’ features 12 sculptures that explore form, memory and material through marble, bronze and resinated fiberglass.
Dates: On Till December 22, 2025
Venue: Gandhi King Plaza, India International Centre, New Delhi
Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa
Goa is once again buzzing with the much awaited Serendipity Arts Festival which returns for its landmark 10th edition. Expect immersive exhibitions, public art, food, music, dance, theatre, films, workshops and children’s programming all woven through the vibrant venues across Panjim. It’s festive, free-spirited, and one of India’s most exciting cultural gatherings of the year.
Dates: On Till December 21, 2025
Venue: Multiple venues in Panjim, Goa
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The Indian Photo Festival, Hyderabad
India’s biggest photography festival returns for its eleventh edition and it’s bigger and better. Expect workshops, talks, exhibitions and portfolio reviews by icons such as Magnum’s Newsha Tavakolian and National Geographic’s Julie Hau amongst others giving emerging photographers a rare access to industry legends.
Dates: On Till January 4, 2026
Venue: State Art Gallery & multiple locations, Hyderabad
‘Signs of Life’ Exhibition, Delhi
Method Delhi presents ‘Signs of Life’, a new solo show by multidisciplinary artist Kunel Gaur. His works navigate the tension between the human and the mechanical, using colour, pattern and industrial precision to explore the systems that shape contemporary life.
Dates: On Till January 25, 2026
Venue: Method, Defence Colony, New Delhi
Heritage Week, Delhi
Hop on to the The Kunj’s Heritage Week to celebrate India’s handmade legacy. It brings together artisans, students and craft lovers over live demos, installations, talks and workshops. It’s a vibrant peek into traditions that continue to shape India’s design language.
Dates: On Till December 14, 2025
Venue: The Kunj, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
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Exhibition of Works by Vrindavan Solanki and K. Muralidharan, Delhi
Art Magnum’s latest show brings together two masters whose visual worlds couldn’t be more different yet harmonise beautifully. Vrindavan Solanki’s quiet, contemplative works rooted in Gujarat sit alongside K. Muralidharan’s vivid, myth-inspired canvases from Tamil Nadu. Curated by Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, this exhibition is a study in contrast and shared artistic depth.
Dates: On Till January 8
Venue: Art Magnum Gallery, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi
Nandikar’s National Theatre Festival, Kolkata
Since 1984, this festival has aimed to bring India’s theatre communities together and this edition stays true to that spirit. Over ten days, the Academy of Fine Arts hosts 15 productions in Bengali and Hindi, ranging from classics to experimental theatre. Expect workshops, talks and exhibitions that turn the festival into a hub for collaboration and exchange.
Dates: December 16–25, 2025
Venue: Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata
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