If there’s any street festival Mumbai looks forward to each year, it has to be the iconic Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF). Set to return from 25th January to 2nd February 2025, this Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival is free-to-attend for Mumbaikars in the namesake Kala Ghoda neighborhood of Fort, Mumbai. This year, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025 will celebrate its Silver Jubilee, marking 25 successful years of being etched on Mumbai’s cultural map. So, here’s us telling you all that you must know about this vibrant street arts festival!
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025: Things To Know
About The Kala Ghoda Art District
This precinct situated in Fort, Mumbai is known for its crescent-shaped layout and owes its name to the statue of King Edward VII. This statue was unveiled in 1879, it had the King riding a horse and the statue was polished to a black finish. This appearance is what gave rise to the name “Kala Ghoda”, which literally means “Black Horse”.
However, amidst rising nationalistic sentiments, the statue was relocated to the Byculla Zoo in 1965 and the area had no statue up till 2017. That year, a riderless black horse statue was unveiled representing the ‘spirit of Kala Ghoda’.
This art district has been an important cultural hub in Mumbai with its bounty of art galleries, museums, cafes, restaurants, and educational institutions. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival funds the Kala Ghoda Association, which in turn works on thoughtful initiatives to preserve the vibrant art district. These initiatives include maintaining old buildings and facades, meticulous restoration, and improving amenities.
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025 Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration ceremony of the KGAF will take place on 25th January in the Cross Maidan, Marine Lines. Indian Actor Sanya Malhotra will grace the event with a special performance currently under wraps.
The inauguration ceremony will also see a slew of different dance forms and cultural performances, ranging from classical Kathak to Maharashtra’s Gondhal and Assam’s Sattriya. Singer Prithvi Gandharv will sing soulful Ghazals while actor and Kathak dancer Prachee Shah Pandya will be performing on these melodies.
Silver Jubilee Celebration Of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025
To commemorate 25 successful years of the festival, the theme this year will be ‘Silver’. The 2025 edition will begin with the Silver Sitaare Fusion, a dance performance combining 25 styles of dance. The festival’s KGAF Anthem composed by renowned musician Shantanu Moitra will be unveiled too. And not just that, the KGAF will also launch its own coffee table book to document its history and legacy.
Line-Ups At The KGAF
The 9-day festival is sure to have something for everyone, be it an art connoisseur or a coffee enthusiast or just someone who wants to take beautiful pictures of the art installations. KGAF will be organizing several events, screenings, and workshops in different venues in Fort. These are as mentioned below:
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay Children’s Museum ( for children’s events)
- Cama Hall and Regal Cinema (film related workshops and panel discussions)
- Cross Maidan (Performing arts events)
- Kitab Khana and DSL Garden (Literature related events and workshops)
- Yashwantrao Chavan Centre – Rangswar Auditorium (Stand-up comedy shows and theater events)
Besides these venues, food-related events such as coffee brewing workshops, sake and spring rolls tasting masterclass, food talks, and many more would be held in different restaurants and cafes in Fort. Some of these are mentioned below:
- Bombay Sweet Shop, Kala Ghoda
- KMC Bar & Bistro
- Poetry by Love & Cheesecake
- Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters
- Knead Cafe
The KGAF will also host a slew of interesting workshops on all 9 days of the festival. These are some of the workshops you can be a part of:
- Power Dressing – The Saree Styling Workshop (YWCA, Fort)
- Rediscovering Tagore’s Music (YWCA, Fort)
- Uncovering Bombay through Early Prints & Paintings (DSL Reading Room)
- Demonstration on the Process of Natural Dyeing (Khadi Bhandar, Fort)
- The Art of Brewing and Tasting Coffee (YWCA, Fort)
Note that most of these destinations are at a walking distance from the Kala Ghoda Art District Precinct. You can also take a quick cab ride to these destinations or simply stroll through Fort’s scenic roads and quaint neighborhoods!
Heritage Walks At The KGAF
The street arts festival is not just vibrant performances and food tastings, but also pays a tribute to the city’s rich history and heritage. Through these organized heritage walks, you’ll be able to deep dive into Mumbai’s iconic heritage buildings and their history.
KGAF Association has stated that each walk will only have 20 participants who must have a valid pass. These passes will be available at the Heritage Help Desk (near Ador House) at 3:00 PM everyday for the walks scheduled in the next 24 hours. Also note that each person will only be given a maximum of 2 passes after they register.
These heritage walks will be held from 25th January to 1st February and here are a few of them listed below:
- Fort Darshan
- Herstory
- Bora Bazar Heritage Walk
- Elf In Stone
- Khadi Bhandar Walkthrough
- Decoding Art Deco
Stalls And Art Installations At The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Inarguably the most exciting part of visiting Kala Ghoda Arts Festival each year is seeing the wonderfully curated art installations and vibrant street stalls. These art installations have a different theme each year and are made in the most innovative ways with reusable and sustainable materials. Though this year’s installations have been under the wraps as of now, it will only be interesting to anticipate what this year has in store for fellow Kala Ghoda visitors.
Additionally, there will be plenty of stalls selling a wide range of products. From handicrafts to books to jewelry and coffee, there’s something for everyone. Many of these stalls will also feature artisanal work honoring India’s heritage crafts such as Kalighat paintings, Kashmiri shawls, Warli art, Bidri handicraft, Paithani sarees, and much more.
KGAF: Registrations, Dates, Timings, And More
You can register for your entry online, and that too free of cost! Simply visit Insider India’s official website and register for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. We also recommend carrying a valid ID proof with you when you visit the festival.
Dates: 25th January to 2nd February, 2025
Timings: 10:00 AM onwards, though most of the events begin post 4:00 PM. For the best experience, we recommend avoiding weekends and visiting the festival in the weekdays instead.
This street arts festival will be a fun experience for you. All thanks to the stunning display of art installations, plethora of interesting stalls, or insightful workshops.
For information on a detailed schedule of the entire festival, you can visit the KGAF Official Website or KGAF Instagram. So, when are you visiting the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival?
