Scroll through Instagram in Mumbai this week and one word is everywhere: Garba. Outfits, dance practice reels, pass giveaways. That makes sense. Sharad Navratri begins on October 11, and for many Mumbaikars, nine nights of dancing is not just a plan. It is a tradition.
But October in Mumbai is bigger than the dandiya floor. If Garba is not your thing, or you want something different between the nights, the city has a surprisingly full calendar. Here are some events worth putting in your phone.
Let us start with the big one, since it will shape everyone’s month. Falguni Pathak is performing live on all nine nights at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, from October 11 to 19. Passes are priced at a premium, which is one more reason to know what else the city is offering. Check the official ticketing page for current rates.
If you like theatre, head to the NCPA on October 15 for Traasadi. It is a Hindi play written, directed and performed by Manav Kaul, and it follows a person from the word “mother” to the word “repentance” after a mother’s loss. It runs for about 70 minutes, is meant for ages 16 and above, and carries a trigger warning for the theme of parental death. The show starts at 7:15 pm and late entry is not allowed, so reach early. Tickets start at ₹450 for members and ₹500 for non-members, plus GST, and go up to ₹900 and ₹1,000 for the best seats.
Gamers have their weekend on October 17 and 18. GamingCon Bharat is back for its third edition at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, and this year it has joined hands with MeepleCon, India’s board game convention. That means one venue holds esports, indie games, cosplay and tabletop games together. Organisers expect more than 20,000 visitors. The Premier League is also bringing a fan zone with the Premier League Trophy and home kits of all 20 clubs. Note that the fan zone is ticketed separately (listed from ₹999, ages 18 and above, with ID required). Entry passes for the main event are listed from ₹99 onwards, and prices rise with each phase, so book early.
Music lovers should mark October 24. Acclaimed composer and pianist Max Richter, known for albums like The Blue Notebooks and Sleep, will perform at the Grand Theatre at NMACC at 7:30 pm. It is his first performance in India. Back in 2021, he told Rolling Stone India that he would love to play in the country but that arranging it was hard. Now it is finally happening, for one night only.
The same weekend has a very different kind of event for the creative crowd. IFP Season 16 takes over Mehboob Studios in Bandra West on October 24 and 25. It is a two-day festival with filmmakers, writers, musicians, podcasters and other creators, with more than 150 creators across conversations, workshops and live sessions. Passes are sold in phases and the price has gone up as the date comes closer, so check the official page before you plan. One practical tip: IFP starts in the morning on Saturday and Max Richter plays that evening, so you will need to plan your day well if you want both.
If your idea of a good weekend is food, SALT on October 10 and 11 is a good pick. More than 50 homegrown food and drink brands come together at Pioneer Hall and Corona Garden in Bandra for a festival where you can shop, eat, drink and learn, from 12 noon to 10 pm. Expect artisanal products, tastings and the chance to meet the people behind the brands. The venue is a heritage bungalow, so some areas can only be reached by stairs and may not be easy for wheelchair users. Tickets are non-refundable, so be sure of your plan before you pay.
The month ends with a big night. On October 31, Gippy Grewal brings his Desi Rockstar live show to the Grand Theatre at NMACC at 7:30 pm. Expect Punjabi pop and bhangra, and hits like Car Nachdi and Angreji Beat. It lands on Halloween night, but this crowd will be dancing to the dhol, not looking for costumes.
Put it all together and October looks like this. SALT comes first on the weekend of October 10 and 11. Garba runs from October 11 to 19, with Traasadi in the middle on October 15. GamingCon and MeepleCon follow on October 17 and 18. The weekend of October 24 and 25 brings Max Richter and IFP, and then Gippy Grewal closes the month on October 31.
So go and dance if Garba is your tradition. But if you want a quieter, louder, geekier or more creative October, Mumbai has you covered. Pick one plan, send it to the group chat, and this time, actually book the tickets.
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