Top Events In Bangalore In January (And Beyond) That You Must Attend

Positioning Bengaluru on the Global Cultural Map, the third edition of BLR Hubba is set to happen this month. The 2026 event will feature over 250 performances across 12+ genres — including international acts from Japan and Malaysia and guitar legend Marty Friedman — spread across 20+ venues, with 80% being new programming. Touted to be Bengaluru's largest arts and culture festival, there will be 12 thematic hubbas as well. The Kala Hubba will transform Freedom Park into a canvas for contemporary artists exploring freedom in all its forms. The Makkala Hubba will feature immersive, hands-on experiences for ages 2-14 at Freedom Park's Children's Experience Centre and venues across Bengaluru. Beyond the events mentioned above, there are over 250 other events with different themes that bring art, music, food, and community celebration to every corner of the city.

When: January 16 to 25, from 10 AM to 8 PM

Where: Various venues

Price: Free entry

Sunidhi Chauhan is coming to Bangalore. And we love it. She’s back for a louder, bolder, and unapologetically Sunidhi performance. This India tour will feature bigger sound and a setlist that’s straight fire, featuring all the hits that you grew up with and grooved. We are talking hits such as Sajna Ve Sajna, Dilliwaali Girlfriend, Mehbooba Mehbooba, Desi Girl and Ainvayi Ainvayi.

When: Saturday, 17 January 2026, from 7 PM onwards

Where: District Arena @ Terraform, Yelahanka

Price: INR 4,500 upwards

This is not a drill, Bengaluru! Linkin Park is coming to Namma Ooru. Yes, and they are making their debut in our city before going to Mumbai to headline Lollapalooza India 2026. Mike Shinoda, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, Joe Hahn, Emily Armstrong, and Colin Brittain will be doing a special standalone show as part of their From Zero World Tour. Oh, and they will be joined by Bloodywood.

When: Friday, 23 January 2026, 5 PM onwards

Where: Brigade Innovation Garden, Muddenahalli

Price: INR 14,000 upwards

The popular theatre in JP Nagar hosts a variety of plays throughout the year. You can enjoy a diverse range of productions in Kannada, other regional languages, and English. The annual Ranga Shankara theatre festival is unmissable.

When: All days except Mondays

Where: Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar

Entry: INR 150 upwards

Karthik, one of India’s most loved and celebrated voices, is coming to Bangalore for a live concert. The Chennai-based and trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music musician has sung thousands of songs in many Indian languages. Known for his soulful tone, effortless versatility, and magnetic stage presence, Karthik continues to redefine what it means to connect through music. Here’s your chance to catch a live rendition of songs such as Sundari, Girlfriend, Kanpesum Varthaigal, Oru Maalai, Minnalgal Koothaadum, and Unnale Unnale.

When: Saturday, 7 February from 7:30 PM onwards

Where: Phoenix Marketcity, Mahadevapura

Price: INR 999 upwards

India Jazz Project by Foreword Lifestyles and Experiences is touted to be India’s premium live music IP. It’s designed to bridge Indian and international jazz and blues, and the first edition will feature the Grammy-winning band, Tinariwen. The Tuareg collective of musicians is considered a pioneer of desert blues, and they have a heavy guitar-driven style that combines Western Rock music with traditional Tuareg and African music. They will be joined by some of the best Jazz and Blues bands from India.

When: Sunday, 8 February, from 5 PM onwards

Where: Indiranagar Club, Indiranagar

Price: INR 3,999 upwards

Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR), the Danish soft rock/pop band from the late 80’s, is coming to India for a three-city tour with a stopover at Bengaluru. MLTR is known for its timeless romantic ballads and signature melodic sound. This is for all you millennials (including elder ones) to enjoy the iconic hits such as 25 Minutes, Take Me to Your Heart, and Sleeping Child.

When: Thursday, 19 February, from 6 PM onwards

Where: Venue to be announced

Price: INR 1,999

Calvin Harris is coming to India for the first time, and he’s coming to Namma Ooru. As one of the stalwarts of dance music, Calvin’s soundtracks are what we have grown up with. From chart-dominating global anthems to festival-defining drops, here’s your chance to groove to everything from Summer, Feels, One Kiss, and Ocean.

When: Friday, 17 April 2026, from 4 PM onwards

Where: Venue yet to be announced

Price: INR 4,000 upwards

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend Def Leppard is coming to Indian for a three-city tour with Bengaluru being one of the cities. The English rock band from Sheffield, consisting of Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Rick Allen, Phil Collen, and Vivian Campbell, is guaranteed to bring their iconic sound to India, delivering a night of anthems that have defined generations. With over 110 million albums sold worldwide and timeless hits such as Let It Go, Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes), Foolin’, Blood Runs Cold, Rock of Ages, Photograph, and Pour Some Sugar On Me, expect some or most of these to be part of the rocking setlist.

When: Sunday, 29 March, from 5 PM onwards

Where: NICE Grounds, Madavara

Price: INR 4,500 upwards

Bangalore boy Kenny Sebastian is back in town with his musical comedy set — Tempo Tantrums — and this is your chance to catch the funny man live for the first time this year. This one-of-a-kind live performance will have you laughing and probably singing along as Kenny goes about his observational humour, charming stage presence, and unpredictable musical twists.

When: January 31, 4 PM and 7 PM shows, and February 1, 3 PM and 6 PM shows

Where: St. Joseph’s University Auditorium, Shanti Nagar

Price: INR 1,099 upwards

The India International Coffee Festival (IICF) returns for its second edition and brings together farmers and producers from coffee-growing regions, processors, exporters, equipment innovators, roasters, retailers, café owners, baristas, and passionate consumers, all under one roof in Bengaluru. Festival Highlights include The Coffee Trail, a curated pathway through the festival’s most engaging zones, featuring immersive farm-to-cup experiences, brewing workshops, tastings, sensory activities, and hands-on demos with experts across the value chain. There will be the National Coffee Championships featuring six competitive categories, including Barista Championship, Brewers Cup, and a rapidly growing Coffee in Good Spirits segment. Finalists from the Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi preliminaries battle for a chance to represent India on the world stage. Apart from these, plan to check out The Latte Art Arena, The Cupping Exchange, Brew School, and workshops and masterclasses. There will also be live music and performances by Robert Narain doing a drum jam, Sonu Venugopal doing stand-up comedy, and Mysore Xpress closing the fest with a performance.

When: February 12 to 14, from 10 AM

Where: Marakata, Jayamahal

Price: INR 399 upwards

For 10 days, Makkala Hubba by Bachpan Manao will transform the Hospital Block at Freedom Park into an immersive world for children. Makkala Hubba creates experiences that infuse play with learning to create a sensorial world for children. Children can experience installations that expand the experience of play beyond the swings and see-saws, explore tactile exhibits about the incredible flora and fauna in and around Bengaluru, play life-size board games that will provide fun lessons in food, culture, and geography, and hear stories that speak from the past and carry lessons for the future. Some of the installations and experiences include 'Where the Wild Things Are?', which is an interactive multimedia tactile experience, and Elli Ekke Ennu, a life-size puzzle game for children aged 6+. There will also be a 10-day pop-up library called Odu Nali that hopes to create an engaging literary and cultural experience for children and families.

When: January 16-25, various timings

Where: Freedom Park, Gandhi Nagar

Price: Free entry

Rohini Nilekani, co-founder, EkStep Foundation, that’s behind Bachpan Manao, author and philanthropist, will host a book reading session of her new book for children at Makkala Hubba by Bachpan Manao. Nana and I is a story that captures the quiet joy of time spent between a child and his grandfather. Through simple moments and shared routines, the story celebrates love, companionship, and the warmth of intergenerational bonds. This will be part of the larger programming that’s planned for the 10-day children’s festival.

When: Saturday, 17 January, from 12:45 PM onwards

Where: Hospital Terrace, Freedom Park, Gandhi Nagar

Price: Free entry

The Art of Erotica Writing is a workshop by Bhushan Korgaonkar where you can learn to navigate the fine line between titillating and tacky, and discover how to craft compelling erotic content. At the workshop, you can learn and explore various aspects of sexuality and sensuality. Plus, who knows, you might just discover your niche and develop your skills in writing erotic content that resonates with your audience. Gain relevant information and techniques to enhance your writing and take away valuable tips to apply to your own work.

When: Saturday, 17 January, from 11 AM to 2 PM

Where: Atta Galatta, Indiranagar

Price: INR 669. Please note that the workshop is open to people aged 18 and above

ZLB23, the award-winning Kyoto-style speakeasy at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, will host a one-night-only bar takeover by the World’s Best Bar - Bar Leone, Hong Kong. Curated in partnership with The Dram Attic, the evening will see the world’s No. 1 bar step behind the counter at one of India’s most awarded cocktail destinations. For the takeover, Bar Leone, led by acclaimed bartender Lorenzo Antinori, will present four signature cocktails — Milan With A View is a refreshing, aperitivo-style gin cocktail featuring Italian bitters, Olive Oil Sour is a whisky-forward drink, Coconut OF which reimagines the Old Fashioned using toasted coconut-infused brandy, and Caffè Paradiso, a bittersweet, aromatic cocktail combining amaro, vodka and herbal liqueur with coffee-driven notes.

When: Saturday, 17 January, from 8 PM to 10 PM and 10 PM onwards

Where: ZLB23, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, Kodihalli

Price: INR 5,000 per person

Faheem Abdullah, the Kashmiri singer-songwriter behind tracks like Saiyaara, Ishq, Ehsaas, and Sajde, is set to perform his first-ever main stage concert in Bengaluru as a Valentine’s Day special. It’s also a sort of homecoming for the singer who had moved to Bangalore to pursue his postgraduate studies in English Literature. Returning to Bengaluru for his debut main-stage performance feels like a full-circle moment, and here’s your chance to be a part of that.

When: Saturday, 14 February, from 7:30 PM onwards

Where: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru, Bhartiya City

Price: INR 999 upwards

Windmills is hosting a showcase by the Naima Farao Quartet, one of Europe’s most compelling contemporary voices in nu jazz and alternative soul, for two nights. The Milan-based singer and composer Naima is known for her sound that blends soulful melodies, rich jazz harmonies, and understated electronic textures to create an intimate and emotionally resonant experience. At Windmills, Naima will be performing with Matteo D Ignazi on drums, Andrea Dominoni on bass guitar, and Edoardo Maggioni on keys, presenting original material.

When: January 16 and 17, from 9:30 PM onwards

Where: Windmills, Whitefield

Price: INR 750 upwards