A thriving cosmopolitan, Delhi is home to people from across India, who come to this capital city to fulfil their dreams. The city is known for its heritage, culture, cuisine, arts, and crafts. Delhi, which has been the capital of India for more than 100 years, has been the seat of many powerful empires throughout its history. With a rich past, the city and its people have seen much modernisation – the juxtaposition of which is evident when visiting Delhi.

Festivals

Delhi, the capital city, has long been known for its arts and cultural festivals that are held throughout the year. Calendars are marked much in advance for these events, most of which have become an annual event. So much so, that during the pandemic many preferred to go digital rather than shut doors. Finally, they are back to their original avatar to greet their audience in person.

Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards

23^rd - 29^th March, 2023

The curtains will be raised for ten best theatre productions to be staged at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) in New Delhi. To be held from 23 to 29 March, 2023, the event rewards all aspects of a play, such as writing, direction, performance, music, costume, light design, and more. It also presents a Lifetime Achievement Award. META explores topics such as mythology, social issues, politics, gender, and religion, among others, with an aim to give a voice to, and increase awareness and appreciation of Indian theatre across various themes.

Among the landmark productions that have been bestowed with METAs are Indian Ensemble’s Gasha (2013), The Company Theatre’s Piya Behrupiya (2014), Dramanon’s Akshayambara (2016), Black Theatre’s Nona (2018), and Black Box Okhla’s For the Record (2020).

For more information, click here.

Ladies First Street Art

8^th March, 2023 

Organised by graffiti artist collective, Wicked Broz, Ladies First Street Art is a multi-city festival that was launched in 2019. It aims to promote the work of female street artists; featuring workshops, film screenings, talks, and performances on street art. The event also sees dance and hip-hop, which are synonymous with global street art culture. Scheduled for 8 March, 2023, the festival will take place in Mumbai and Delhi.

For more information, click here.

Aravali International Film Festival

3^rd - 5^th March, 2023

Cinema-lovers can mark the dates as the Aravali International Film Festival (AIFF) will be held in New Delhi from 3 to 5 March, 2023. The festival is named after Aravali, the oldest range of fold mountains in India. With the theme of cultural diversity, the festival will showcase cinema across genres, including music videos, television, and web series. Workshops and discussions will be held on the side-lines, along with screenings, wherein attendees can participate and network.

For more information, click here.

New Delhi World Book Fair

25^th February – 5^th March 2023

The New Delhi World Book Fair, India’s second oldest book fair, is a major event in the publishing world. It is back for its 31^st edition, aiming to encourage production of good literature in Indian languages. Opening a gateway for the publishing and intellectual world of South Asia, the fair is expected to have visitors from around 70 countries across the world.

Commemorating 75 years of India’s Independence, this year’s theme is “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”. The festival, to be held from 25^th February till 5^th March, will feature conferences, discussions, cultural and literary programs, seminars, workshops, and an opportunity for visitors to promote titles or engage in co-publication arrangements.

For more information, click here.

Jazz Weekender

25^th - 26^th February, 2023

Get ready to experience the Jazz Weekender once again, this time for its winter edition. National and international artists will be taking to the stage to give an unforgettable experience. Their inaugural edition was a sell-out with a line-up featuring names such as Boi Akih, Pakshee, Tribemama Marykali, and others. The two-day festival will be held at 1AQ in Mehrauli, New Delhi, on 25 and 26 February, 2023.

For more information, click here.

The Ishara International Puppet Festival

14^th – 20^th February, 2023 

Started in 2001, the Ishara International Puppet Festival is counted among Asia’s largest puppet festivals. It aims to increase awareness and appreciation among the public about various forms of local and international puppetry. Organised by Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust and produced by Teamwork Arts, the festival showcases both traditional and modern kinds of the theatre with rod and string, and mixed performances of dance, theatre and music.

The festival has seen award-winning puppetry productions, and several educational workshops by over 160 companies from Brazil, Sweden, Spain, Turkey and other countries. This year, the event will be held from 14 to 20 February, 2023 in Delhi, during which time the Tagore Theatre Society in Chandigarh will have a parallel four-day festival featuring a selection of the productions staged in Delhi.

For more information, click here.

India Art Fair

9^th - 12^th February, 2023

All set to paint its magic again, the India Art Fair has become a pilgrimage for art enthusiasts from across the nation. This annual event brings together art lovers, artists, connoisseurs, institutions, and collectors to celebrate art. It provides a platform to new and veteran talent to present their work, and network. With the aim to increase an audience for arts, it supports educative and professional development opportunities, and works with galleries, established artists, foundations, national museums and charities. Presenting a blend of cutting-edge contemporary visual art, with modern masters and vernacular artistic traditions, the India Art Fair will be held from 9 to 12 February, 2023 in Delhi. The art world comes to India for the Art Fair, including gallery delegations from the UK supported by the British Council and international cultural counterparts.

For more information, click here.

Travel tips

Here are some travel tips one should know before visiting Delhi:

• While Hindi is the local language, most people understand English
• When using public transport such as auto rickshaw or local taxi, decide on the amount to be paid in advance to avoid last-minute confusion
• Delhi experiences almost extreme weather conditions, so pack clothes accordingly
• Keep a check of your belongings
• The Indira Gandhi International Airport has three terminals which are located at a distance from each other. Be sure to note which one you are arriving at or departing from

How to reach

By air: The Indira Gandhi International Airport is the main airport that serves Delhi and is located about 12 km away from the city’s centre. The airport has three terminals at separate locations. IndiGo operates more than 150 flights between Delhi and other key locations in India and abroad, from all three terminals.

By train: New Delhi, Old Delhi, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station are the primary stations that serve Delhi, connecting it to rest of the country through numerous trains.

By road: Delhi is well-connected to all parts of the country through the many national highways. Tourists can either drive down, hire a taxi, or use a bus service. Both government and private buses operate from three main bus stands in Delhi, Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Sarai Kale-Khan Bus Terminus, and Anand Vihar Bus Terminus.

Travelling within the city

Delhi has a vast network of buses run by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Auto-rickshaws, taxis, app-based cab services, as well as cycle-rickshaws are other common modes of transportation. Besides these, the Delhi Metro plays a significant role in connecting all corners of the city with ease.

To know about more such festivals and events, visit Festivals From India, your one-stop shop for all arts and culture festivals in India, made possible by the British Council.