India’s music-festival calendar is rather unique. In the same season, you can listen to folk musicians beneath the walls of Mehrangarh Fort, join metal fans in Bengaluru, discover independent artists in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh or dance to electronic music at the Mumbai racecourse.

The setting often matters as much as the lineup. Ziro draws its character from the landscape and Apatani community, Jodhpur RIFF places traditional music inside a historic fort, and Hornbill introduces visitors to Nagaland’s music and living cultures. In the cities, festivals such as DGTL, Echoes of Earth and Sunburn offer very different interpretations of the modern live-music experience.

Here are 15 music festivals that shaped India’s 2026 calendar, beginning with the editions still to come.

Music festivals still to come in India in 2026

Festival season gathers pace in September with Ziro Festival of Music before moving through Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Shillong, Varanasi, Goa and Nagaland. From indie and metal to folk, Garba, electronic music and multidisciplinary arts, the remaining calendar offers considerably more variety than a standard list of commercial concerts.

Ziro Festival of Music, Arunachal Pradesh

Dates: 24–27 September 2026

Location: Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Best for: Indie, folk and destination-festival travellers

Set amid the paddy fields and hills of Ziro Valley, this four-day festival brings together independent, folk, experimental and cross-cultural performers. Its bamboo stages and connection with the local Apatani community give it an identity that feels inseparable from its setting. Visitors travelling from should check Inner Line Permit requirements and arrange accommodation early. Passes and travel information are available on the official Ziro Festival website.

Bangalore Open Air, Bengaluru

Date: 10 October 2026

Venue: BITS Club Grounds, Hennur

Bangalore Open Air is one of the clearest choices for metal fans. Unlike a broad multi-genre festival, it is built around heavy music, live bands and the community that has supported India’s metal scene for years. The 2026 edition is planned across two stages. Check tickets, entry rules and lineup updates on the official Bangalore Open Air website.

Jodhpur RIFF, Rajasthan

Dates: 22–26 October 2026
Venue: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Jodhpur RIFF places Rajasthani roots music in one of India’s most dramatic cultural settings. Timed around Sharad Purnima, the festival presents traditional performers alongside artists from India and overseas. Its programme typically extends beyond evening concerts to dawn performances, dance, theatre and collaborative productions. The not-for-profit festival also works to support the livelihoods of traditional performers. Programme and pass information can be found on the official Jodhpur RIFF website.

DGTL India, Bengaluru and Mumbai

Date: 12 November 2026
Venues: The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, and The Ballard Pier, Mumbai

DGTL combines electronic music with bold stage design and a visible focus on sustainability. Its sixth Indian edition is scheduled in Bengaluru and Mumbai on the same date, with international and Indian artists appearing across the two city lineups. Review the official DGTL Bengaluru page and DGTL Mumbai page before deciding which edition to attend.

Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, Meghalaya

Dates: November 2026;
Best for: International pop and hip-hop alongside regional culture

The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival combines live entertainment with food, art and regional culture during Meghalaya’s autumn flowering season. It is particularly popular with travellers who want a destination experience alongside contemporary music. Follow updates through Meghalaya Tourism and the festival website.

Hornbill Music Festival, Nagaland

Dates: 1–10 December 2026
Venue: Naga Heritage Village, Kisama
Best for: Music, culture and Northeast India travel

Hornbill is much more than a series of concerts. Its programme places contemporary music alongside cultural performances, crafts, food, indigenous games and storytelling. This makes it especially rewarding for visitors who want to understand Nagaland’s living cultures while discovering artists from the region and beyond. Use the official Hornbill Festival portal for visitor information and the Hornbill Music Festival website for music announcements.

Mahindra Kabira Festival, Varanasi

Dates: 4–6 December 2026
Venues: Guleria Kothi at Ganesh Ghat and Shivala Ghat
Best for: Folk, classical music and the poetry of Kabir

Mahindra Kabira brings Kabir’s poetry to life through folk and classical music, conversations and experiences beside the Ganga. Its tenth edition is expected to include morning and evening performances as well as heritage walks, boat rides and local food experiences. Current programme and delegate information can be found on the official Mahindra Kabira Festival website.

Echoes of Earth, Bengaluru

Dates: 5–6 December 2026
Venue: Bengaluru
Best for: Music, art and environmentally conscious festival design

It celebrates its tenth edition, and its identity rests on eclectic music, large art installations, conservation-led conversations and stages created with an emphasis on circular design. The festival is welcoming to families than many large music events. Workshops and creative spaces make it suitable for visitors who may care as much about art, design and environmental ideas as the headline sets. Offical announcements will be published through official Echoes of Earth website.

Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa

Dates: 13–20 December 2026
Best for: Music within a wider programme of art, theatre, dance and food

Serendipity is not a conventional music-only festival- and that is its advantage. Visitors can move from a live performance to an exhibition, dance production, workshop or culinary programme on the same day. Registration for the festival is free, programme updates and Art Pass registration are available through the official Serendipity Arts Festival website.

Sunburn Festival, Mumbai

Dates: 18–19 December 2026
Venue: Mahalaxmi Race Course
Best for: Large-scale electronic dance music

Sunburn’s 19th edition adopts a more concentrated two-day format under the theme “Awaken the Core”. The Mumbai festival will combine electronic music with expansive stage production, immersive environments, food and lifestyle areas. Current information is available on the official Sunburn Festival website and its BookMyShow ticket page.

Major music festivals held earlier in 2026

Several prominent festivals have already completed their 2026 editions.

Lollapalooza India, Mumbai

Lollapalooza India took place at Mahalaxmi Race Course on 24–25 January 2026. The next edition is scheduled for 23–24 January 2027. Lineup and ticket updates are available through the official Lollapalooza India website.

Mahindra Blues Festival, Mumbai

The 2026 Mahindra Blues Festival was held at Mehboob Studio on 14–15 February. Future announcements will appear on the official Mahindra Blues Festival website.

Magnetic Fields Nomads, Khetri

Magnetic Fields entered a new chapter in Khetri, Rajasthan, from 13–15 February 2026. The sold-out edition combined electronic, live and experimental music with palace spaces and intimate stages. Information about future editions will be published on the official Magnetic Fields Nomads website.

Goa Sunsplash, Goa

Goa Sunsplash celebrated its tenth anniversary on 17–18 January 2026. The next edition is scheduled for 16–17 January 2027. Updates are available through the official Goa Sunsplash website.

Choosing the right music festival

Begin with the music, then consider the journey. Ziro, Hornbill and Jodhpur RIFF are strong choices for travellers who want a meaningful connection between sound and place. Bangalore Open Air is the most focused option for metal fans. DGTL and Sunburn represent different ends of electronic music, while Echoes of Earth combines music with art and environmental thinking. Mahindra Kabira offers a slower, more reflective experience in Varanasi, while Falguni Pathak’s Navratri Utsav turns the audience into an active part of the celebration.

Before paying for tickets or travel, confirm the final venue, entry and age rules, performance schedule, accommodation options and cancellation terms on the organiser’s website. Festival dates and lineups can change, and an artist announcement should not be treated as a guarantee of appearance.

Information checked on 6 September 2026. Readers should verify current details with the relevant organiser before making bookings.