Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

• History
• Places to visit
• How to reach

It won’t be wrong to say that this festival is one of the most awaited annual festival-cum-events in Mumbai. The nice cultural mix of music, theatre, films, comedy, and world art, makes the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival a very distinctive event that is held within the Kala Ghoda Art District for a period of about 9 nine days. Since its inception in 1999, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival went on to become one of the most successful arts and entertainment events in India. Perhaps, it is the kind of variety that a person gets to see and experience here that makes this event so much fun and laudable. 

Best Time to Visit Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is one of the most awaited arts events in the country. It is a nine days long annual festival. It starts on the first Saturday of February and culminates on the second Sunday in February. The weather is very pleasant at this time of the year. It is perfect to attend this festival and lose ourselves in the brilliant artwork of amazing artists. 

History of Kala Ghoda Festival

Organized by the Kala Ghoda Association annually, there are about 10-12 sections of this do that attract the masses towards it. Undoubtedly, it is a very vibrant intermix of culture and traditions due to which it is worth a visit by every art lover. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is one of the famous festivals of Maharashtra. The name of the festival is given after the black equestrian statue of Edward VII. This festival started in 1999 and since then it has been drawing huge crowds of people. 

Major Attractions Of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

1. Dance

Here you get to witness a wide concoction of dance forms right from Indian classical and contemporary to even several international dance forms which are performed with great enthusiasm by the artists. 

2. Food

Explore a great variety of food while venturing on the delightful food walks. There are even demonstrations done by the stalls to highlight the importance of the local ingredients used in the dishes. 

3. Workshops and Activities for Children

During this festival-cum-event, several workshops as well activities are held which specifically aim for the entertainment of children. These range from literacy programs to even plays held in the local languages. 

4. Music Concerts

A variety of music concerts make the whole vibe of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival simply amazing. Several top-notch singers set the stage on fire with their performances and usually, these musical events are held at Cross Maidan. 

5. Visual Arts

Every year, one gets to experience the innovation behind the modern-day visual arts showcased by the artists here. It won’t be wrong to say that these particular stalls are one major reason for attracting the masses to this festival. 

6. Heritage Walks

One can also indulge in heritage walks and get to know more about the cultural blend of various colors and hues that India is made of. 

7. Stalls

Annually, there are about 100-150 stalls set up where the local artisans and craftsmen showcase their wares ranging from clothing, shoes, to bags, home decor, and whatnot. And due to the variety, these stalls are an immense hit every year. 

8. Design and Architecture

Events related to design, architecture, feature films, talks, interviews in regards to the modern-day and contemporary scenario are also held here annually. In these events and discussions several prominent writers, filmmakers, artists tend to participate. This is another reason why so many locals and tourists visit here. 

9. Standup Comedy

If you want to laugh out loud then head to the standup-comedy section. Here you will get to see some of the most established comedians make you go ROFL with their impeccable performances and punchlines. 

Places to Visit in Mumbai while Attending Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

Gateway of India

Built in 1924, the Gateway of India is one of the major attractions in Mumbai. It was built to honour the visit of Queen Mary and King George V to India. It is an imposing structure facing the Arabian Sea and the stunning Hotel Taj Mahal Palace.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

It is a perfect place to visit for nature lovers. Dense, verdant forests, and big cats roaming leisurely in the park makes a visit to this place very exciting and entertaining. Visitors can also enjoy boating in the artificial lake. There is a toy train available for young kids to enjoy exploring the park. 

Red Carpet Wax Museum

Strike a pose with Michael Jackson, Barack Obama and other dignitaries at this amazing wax museum. You will also find wax figures of popular anime and comic series. Take a selfie with them and have a lot of amazing memories worth capturing. 

How To Reach

To reach here, you will need to cover a total distance of about 1,430, from Indian cities like Delhi, 2,065, 993 km Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Mumbai is well connected with different parts of the country and international destinations. Check out the following details on how you can reach Mumbai by the following means of public transport. 

• Nearest Airport. Mumbai International Airport/ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
• Distance from Airport. 28 Km

By Air

You will need to deboard at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) which is located 20-30 km away from this place. The airport has very good connectivity with other Indian cities via direct and connecting flights. From the airport, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of public transportation. 

By Train

Mumbai has great train connectivity with other Indian cities. You can deboard at Mumbai Central Railway Station or Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus depending upon your convenience. Both the stations are located within a distance of 10 km and are fairly well-connected with other Indian cities and towns. Thus, after deboarding at the station, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of public transport like a cab. 

• Nearest Railway Station. Mumbai Central Railway Station
• Distance from the Railway Station. 4.2 Km

By Road

Mumbai has a very good road network. To travel here, you can easily board inter-state or private buses from nearby cities and districts. You can also opt for traveling via a taxi and self-driving here. 

• Distance From Lonavala - 90-100 km via Bengaluru-Mumbai Highway
• Distance From Pune - 161 km via Bengaluru-Mumbai Highway
• Distance From Nashik - 183 km via NH160 

You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner.