Every year on February’s first Saturday, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is held in Mumbai. It is an iconic art and craft gathering of Asia, organized by the Kala Ghoda Association, a non-profit organization. The festival is a gathering that reflects plenty of events under the theme of history, art, and craft. Under the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival theme, numerous section programs set the pace and mood. This grand celebration is an amalgamation of the vibrant spectrum of colors, traditions, and culture. You must attend the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023 in Mumbai if you consider yourself an art connoisseur. This year, it is going to stream online on Insider.
This unique art festival in 2023 will be celebrating its 23rd-year legacy. Many corporate sponsors are associated with the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. The objective of celebrating the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is to refurbish and preserve the arts district of Mumbai – Kala Ghoda. In addition, many sponsors and local authorities are clustered together to spread multi-cultural awareness through unique events for those who don’t have many opportunities to be exposed to culture.
History of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival’s history is associated with the Kala Ghoda Association’s formation. It was formed on 30 October 1998 to maintain and preserve the art and heritage district of South Mumbai. From its first celebration in 1999, the Kala Ghoda Festival’s popularity has constantly been growing and attracting locals and international tourists. Kala Ghoda is a crescent-shaped location referred to as Mumbai’s Art District.
The place houses many museums, funky galleries, and exquisite boutiques. The name Kala Ghoda means “A Black Horse, ” referring to the black stone statue of Prince of Wales – King Edward VII riding the horse in the Kala Ghoda district. It was the year 1965 when his statue got removed by the local authorities.
Location of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is organized in the Kala Ghoda district, known as the famous art district of Mumbai.
Duration of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023 will be gracing Mumbai for 9 days. Throughout the 9 days extravaganza, you can indulge in a promising line of dance, music, literature, heritage, workshops, comedy, and much more. If you want to be a part of the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, book Mumbai tour packages with the Indian Holiday!
Dates of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024
Even though it will be held online, the duration of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 will be from 20 January 2024 to 28 January 2024 . The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai will become the hotbed of differentiating themes, from poetry to dance, filmmaking, comedy, and much more. Both local and international tourists will witness the exciting events of different themes. If you are amongst the artsy people or consider yourself the art patrons, bookmark the dates of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024.
Timings of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival will be held daily from 20 January 2024 to 28 January 2024 between 10 AM and 10 PM. Therefore, timings might fluctuate a little.
Entry Ticket For Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
The entry ticket For Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 will be free of cost. However, at your own expense, you can shop for several souvenirs from the stalls inside the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival venues. Also, the entry of visitors would be restricted depending upon the venue’s capacity.
Sections of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
February 2024 will mark the 23rd edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. All the events that will be taking place are divided into 13 categories. Let’s unfurl all the sections of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024:
1. Dance
Get your happy feet on at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 because there will be 55 dance events (approx.). The theme of the dance will be unique, ranging from international dance types to Indian classical. Indulge in dance events at Maidan Cross at Mahatma Gandhi Road, Churchgate.
2. Food
Grab a hearty meal because the food is always loved at festivals or events. In this edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024, exciting food walks and food stalls await you! Make sure you see the highlight and significance of local ingredients and dishes. The food section will focus highly on local Mumbai food and its ingredients. Also, learn about what makes Indian cuisine trendier. Apart from this, it will be a culinary venture because several food stalls will give you knowledge about distinct cuisines.
3. For Children
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Mumbai Maharashtra will be a super cool event getting everything kids are looking for. They will be here with their 23rd edition, which will be bigger and better than ever. It will also be about the child’s world because the Kala Ghoda Association will organize 77 events (approx.) for kids that will be amazing and learning simultaneously. Make sure your kids participate in this cool event as several workshops and activities will be organized through the 9 days at the Museum of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. The estimated timing for the kids’ section would be11 AM to early evening. The association aims to cover several workshops and activities, from literacy programs to events in local languages, which could be seen at Kitab Khana and Somaiya Bhavan.
4. Cinema
Calling out all the cinema buffs, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival will feature several offbeat genre movies, from LGBTQ films to regional language films or offbeat stories. Cinephiles would have appropriate moments of discussions regarding cinema and acting. Plus, expect to see your favorite stars at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023, gracing the stage of panel discussions and motivating a loving cinema audience. Coomaraswamy Hall and Visitors’ Center at CSMVS will be transformed into mini theaters.
5. Heritage Walks
One of the best sections of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024, Heritage Walks, would be creating awareness amongst the citizens regarding key historic areas within South Mumbai. If you want to explore Mumbai’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, which is not yet on the tourist radar, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 got you covered with a bus tour for heritage walks. Make sure you book your seats in advance, as there will be hundreds of heritage walk enthusiasts like you!
6. Literature
You will definitely be psyched for this section at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024. Book launches, poetry sessions, and discussions with authors will highlight this literature section. The literature events will be held at David Sassoon Library (DSL), keeping the primary subjects of 2023 in the center, seeing ourselves, a tryst with democracy, India’s place in the new world disorder, and a clean lens on the city. Make sure you attend the literature event in Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 if you consider yourself a Bibliophiles or Bookworm. There will be panel discussions, book launches, and debates with several renowned authors. In short, it will be a power-packed event for those who want to become authors, poets, and something similar.
7. Music
Catch this section at Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2024. An eye-opening extravaganza, a music concert will be an amalgamation of different insects with genres, from classical Indian to English classical, Marathi classical, and even Sufi. Various renowned musicians and singers will be gracing Cross Maidan’s event, while a few music events will line up at Asiatic Library Steps. You must land up at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023 to indulge in a celebration of soulful music.
8. Theatre
A “Sangam” of Nuance Theater is another Kala Ghoda Arts Festival event that will blow your mind. So head for a theater extravaganza gathering with 35 plays (approx.) in various languages, from Marathi to Hindi to English, Parsi to Gujarati, and more. This art and festival will introduce the leading artists and theater under one of 3 roofs – MC Ghia Hall (Kala Ghoda), National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), and Horniman Circle Gardens. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 is a fantastic celebration where the otherwise entertainment-starved Mumbai locals and tourists will get the chance to watch shows by some of the famous Bollywood celebrities. You can’t miss out on this exciting fest, so be there if you call yourself the true blue theater enthusiast.
9. Visual Arts
Celebrating its 23 years of creativity, indoor and outdoor visual arts works are the center of attraction in Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 in February. Visitors will be amazed by the art installations at Horniman Circle Garden, Cross Maidan, Artists Center at K Dubash Marg, and the Art Entrance at Army-Navy Building. A plethora of multiple creative things will blow your mind, from paintings to drawing to nature arts.
10. Stalls
Buckle up all you shoppers out there, foodies, because you will be a constant retreat for 9 days at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 stalls. You can blissfully shop in the 23rd edition till you drop anything from 150 stalls (approx.). Many local artisans and craftsmen sell art pieces, hand-made bags, mats, etc. Every year, thousands of people throng the stalls to buy the first pick of the items. Booths will be lined up along Kala Ghoda and in the traffic triangle outside Jehangir Art Gallery.
11. Urban Design and Architecture
Don’t miss the Urban Design and Architecture event at Kala Ghoda Art Festival in February 2022. There will be a gathering of innovative minds who will be talking and discussing interview hacks, and discussions about manifesting techniques in accordance with current seniors of the world. Architecture lovers and writers would be amazed that several filmmakers and artists will teach you by telling their experiences to form their respective films. So creative severe people, this is something you can’t miss at Max Mueller Bhavan.
12. Stand Up Comedy
Witness the hilarious stand-up comedy at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. New comedians and legendary comedians will be performing in the events at Irish House at Dubash Marg. So this February, celebrate Valentine’s with a dose of laughter.
13. Workshop
Workshops allow learning new skills, and gain new knowledge – either for adults or kids. It helps to excel the success to massive heights. You will learn the skills to foster your life’s growth. Your kids will learn how to become competent and improve their focusing skills. The price entry fees for workshops at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023 is free. Before you visit, inquire about the capacity of the Artists’ Center, Somaiya Center, and Artisans.
Festival Venues of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Due to its increasing popularity over the last few years, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival will be organized in more than one venue. Learn about the venues for organizing the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023:
- The National Gallery of Modern Art auditorium
- The David Sassoon Library garden
- The CSMVS lawns and auditoriums
- The Museum in Mumbai
- The Cross Maidan
- The MC Ghia Hall
- The Horniman Circle garden
- The Max Mueller Bhavan Gallery
- The Tata store at the Army and Navy Building
- The Cafeteria at Westside
- The street area and the parking lot of Kaikashru Dubash Marg or the Rampart Row
How to Reach Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
IIn order to reach the Kala Ghoda Arts district where this festival will be held, opt for non-stop flights, and trains to Mumbai from all the major metro cities like Bhopal. Jaipur, Lucknow, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, etc. The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport serves as the international airport. Mumbai Central Railway Station is well connected with major metro Indian states and towns. Tourists living in and around Pune, Lonavala, Nasik, Ahmedabad, Goa, and Hyderabad can come via road journey by bus or private vehicle.
Places to Stay Nearby Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
For luxurious staycation amenities, choose to stay between Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, The Oberoi, and JW Marriott Mumbai. The affordable accommodations include; Suncity Apollo Hotel, Sea Palace Hotel, and Ascot Hotel. Pick the ones that best suit your budget after checking the price on the hotel’s official website or different travel portals.
Where to Eat Nearby Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Eating is such an integral part of foodies. Get your heavenly food at the venues of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 at various food stalls. On the other hand, food-holics can eat delicious street delights at Gateway of India food vendors. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival venues 2024 will be a short distance from the Gateway of India.
Tourists Attractions in and around Kala Ghoda Mumbai
This art festival is going to be held in the Art district of Mumbai. Kala Ghoda is a place in South Mumbai with designer cafes, sidewalk art stalls, art galleries, museums, etc. A few of the best tourist attractions in and around Kala Ghoda are; Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Church of St Andrew, and Naval Dockyard. If you wish to explore nearby attractions in Kala Ghoda, visit Gateway of India, Chowpati, Juhu Beach, Marine Drive, etc.
Apart from attending this festival, you can enjoy a vacation in Mumbai by choosing our holiday packages. We at Indian Holiday offer the best deals on Mumbai tour packages that you can customize and design as per your choices with the help of our tour experts.
