Next edition · October 2026
Darbar Festival
London, UK · Both · since 2006
Autumn, at the Barbican Centre
✓ Confirmed: 24 October – 1 November 2026 (21st edition)
Date sourceEurope's leading Indian classical festival, founded by Sandeep Virdee.
Festivals & Events
Where to hear ragas live, from Pune and Chennai to London and Cleveland.
These are annual festivals, shown by the month they're usually held. Exact dates and line-ups are announced by each organiser every year, so check the official link before you plan.
Upcoming
Next edition · November 2026
ITC SRA Sangeet Sammelan
Kolkata & other cities, India · Hindustani
Late in the year (varies)
Concerts by the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, featuring its gurus and scholars.
Next edition · November 2026
Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan
Mumbai, India · Hindustani · since 1977
November
Held in memory of Pandit Jagannathbua Purohit 'Gunidas'.
Next edition · November 2026
Chembai Sangeetholsavam
Guruvayur, India · Carnatic
November–December, ending on Guruvayur Ekadashi
A temple festival where thousands of musicians perform in memory of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.
Next edition · November 2026
Esplanade Kalaa Utsavam
Singapore, Singapore · Both
November
Indian arts festival at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
Next edition · December 2026
Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav
Pune, India · Hindustani · since 1953
Mid-December, 5 nights (2025 edition: 10–14 December; 2026 dates not yet announced)
Date sourceFounded by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi in memory of his guru Sawai Gandharva. One of the most prestigious Hindustani festivals, running through the night.
Next edition · December 2026
Tansen Samaroh
Gwalior, India · Hindustani · since 1924
December, at Tansen's tomb
✓ Confirmed: 14–19 December 2026 (102nd edition), free entry
Date sourceHeld at the tomb of Miyan Tansen. Organised by the Madhya Pradesh government, with free entry.
Next edition · December 2026
Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan
Jalandhar, India · Hindustani · since 1875
Late December
Among the oldest music festivals in the world, held at Devi Talab Mandir.
Next edition · December 2026
Madras Music Season (Margazhi)
Chennai, India · Carnatic
Mid-December to mid-January
The world's largest classical music festival: thousands of concerts across dozens of sabhas.
Next edition · December 2026
Music Academy December Season
Chennai, India · Carnatic · since 1927
December 15 – January 1
The flagship sabha of the season, with concerts, lecture-demonstrations and the Sangita Kalanidhi award.
Next edition · December 2026
Kalakshetra Art Festival
Chennai, India · Carnatic
December–January
Music and dance at Rukmini Devi's Kalakshetra Foundation.
Next edition · January 2027
Dover Lane Music Conference
Kolkata, India · Hindustani · since 1952
Usually 22–25 January, all-night sessions at Nazrul Mancha (2026 edition: 22–25 January)
Date sourceKolkata's legendary all-night Hindustani conference.
Next edition · January 2027
Saptak Annual Music Festival
Ahmedabad, India · Both · since 1980
January 1–13
A 13-night festival founded by tabla maestro Pandit Nandan Mehta.
Next edition · January 2027
Thyagaraja Aradhana
Thiruvaiyaru, India · Carnatic · since 1847
January (Pushya Bahula Panchami)
Hundreds of musicians sing Tyagaraja's Pancharatna kritis together at his samadhi.
Next edition · January 2027
Swathi Sangeethotsavam
Thiruvananthapuram, India · Carnatic
January
Held at Kuthiramalika Palace in honour of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
Next edition · April 2027
Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana
Cleveland, USA · Carnatic · since 1978
Around Easter, 12 days (2026: 1–12 April; 2027 dates to be announced)
Date sourceThe largest Carnatic festival outside India.
Next edition · April 2027
Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam / regional aradhanas
Various US cities, USA · Carnatic
Spring
Many North American cities hold Tyagaraja aradhanas in spring.
Year-round concert series
Ongoing
NCPA Classical Music Programme
Mumbai, India · Both
Year-round
Regular Indian classical concerts at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
Ongoing
Shanmukhananda Concerts
Mumbai, India · Both
Year-round
A large auditorium in Mumbai that hosts frequent Hindustani and Carnatic concerts.
Ongoing
SPIC MACAY Concerts
Across India, India · Both · since 1977
Year-round, plus a national convention in summer
A student movement bringing classical concerts to schools and colleges.
Ongoing
Indian classical at Carnegie Hall
New York, USA · Both
Occasional concerts each season
Carnegie Hall periodically presents leading Indian classical artists.
Ongoing
Ali Akbar College of Music concerts
San Rafael, CA, USA · Hindustani · since 1967
Year-round
Founded by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan; regular concerts and summer sessions.
Ongoing
Raga Mala Music Society
Calgary, Canada · Both
Concert seasons through the year
Long-running presenter of Indian classical concerts in Canada.
Ongoing
Sydney Indian classical concerts (Sydney Opera House & others)
Sydney, Australia · Both
Occasional
Touring Indian classical artists perform regularly in Australia.
Recent editions
Last held · September 2026
Darbar Festival
London, UK · Both · since 2006
Autumn, at the Barbican Centre
✓ Confirmed: 24 October – 1 November 2026 (21st edition)
Date sourceEurope's leading Indian classical festival, founded by Sandeep Virdee.
Last held · May 2026
Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam / regional aradhanas
Various US cities, USA · Carnatic
Spring
Many North American cities hold Tyagaraja aradhanas in spring.
Last held · April 2026
Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana
Cleveland, USA · Carnatic · since 1978
Around Easter, 12 days (2026: 1–12 April; 2027 dates to be announced)
Date sourceThe largest Carnatic festival outside India.
Last held · January 2026
Dover Lane Music Conference
Kolkata, India · Hindustani · since 1952
Usually 22–25 January, all-night sessions at Nazrul Mancha (2026 edition: 22–25 January)
Date sourceKolkata's legendary all-night Hindustani conference.
Last held · January 2026
Saptak Annual Music Festival
Ahmedabad, India · Both · since 1980
January 1–13
A 13-night festival founded by tabla maestro Pandit Nandan Mehta.
Last held · January 2026
Madras Music Season (Margazhi)
Chennai, India · Carnatic
Mid-December to mid-January
The world's largest classical music festival: thousands of concerts across dozens of sabhas.
Last held · January 2026
Music Academy December Season
Chennai, India · Carnatic · since 1927
December 15 – January 1
The flagship sabha of the season, with concerts, lecture-demonstrations and the Sangita Kalanidhi award.
Last held · January 2026
Thyagaraja Aradhana
Thiruvaiyaru, India · Carnatic · since 1847
January (Pushya Bahula Panchami)
Hundreds of musicians sing Tyagaraja's Pancharatna kritis together at his samadhi.
Last held · January 2026
Kalakshetra Art Festival
Chennai, India · Carnatic
December–January
Music and dance at Rukmini Devi's Kalakshetra Foundation.
Last held · January 2026
Swathi Sangeethotsavam
Thiruvananthapuram, India · Carnatic
January
Held at Kuthiramalika Palace in honour of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
Last held · December 2025
Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav
Pune, India · Hindustani · since 1953
Mid-December, 5 nights (2025 edition: 10–14 December; 2026 dates not yet announced)
Date sourceFounded by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi in memory of his guru Sawai Gandharva. One of the most prestigious Hindustani festivals, running through the night.
Last held · December 2025
Tansen Samaroh
Gwalior, India · Hindustani · since 1924
December, at Tansen's tomb
✓ Confirmed: 14–19 December 2026 (102nd edition), free entry
Date sourceHeld at the tomb of Miyan Tansen. Organised by the Madhya Pradesh government, with free entry.
Last held · December 2025
Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan
Jalandhar, India · Hindustani · since 1875
Late December
Among the oldest music festivals in the world, held at Devi Talab Mandir.
Last held · December 2025
ITC SRA Sangeet Sammelan
Kolkata & other cities, India · Hindustani
Late in the year (varies)
Concerts by the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, featuring its gurus and scholars.
Last held · December 2025
Chembai Sangeetholsavam
Guruvayur, India · Carnatic
November–December, ending on Guruvayur Ekadashi
A temple festival where thousands of musicians perform in memory of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.
Last held · November 2025
Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan
Mumbai, India · Hindustani · since 1977
November
Held in memory of Pandit Jagannathbua Purohit 'Gunidas'.
Last held · November 2025
Esplanade Kalaa Utsavam
Singapore, Singapore · Both
November
Indian arts festival at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.