January in Mumbai is calling all culture lovers, foodies, and music enthusiasts to step out and experience the city like never before. From Nikas Safronov’s mesmerizing portraits to John Mayer’s first-ever live solo in India, from intimate jazz journeys to one-off culinary collaborations, the city is buzzing with moments that are fleeting, unforgettable, and deeply immersive. Here’s your curated guide to the events that will make your January truly extraordinary.
A celebrated Russian master, Nikas Safronov, brings a landmark presentation to India, unveiling a body of work shaped by deep engagement with the country’s culture, mythology, and visual traditions. Known for emotionally charged portraits that blend realism with imaginative visual effects, Safronov expands his practice through immersive technologies—multimedia projections, animated canvases, and experimental light. The result is a refined dialogue between classical painterly discipline and contemporary sensory innovation, offering an introspective, cross-cultural artistic experience.
Date: 30th December – 15th January
Venue: National Gallery of Modern Art
A three-day, one-time-only cultural festival where leading chefs and artists—including Niyati Rao, Doma Wang, Sachiko Seth, Bawmra Jap, Ralph Prazeres, Priyam Chatterjee, Rishabh Seal, and artists Abraham & Thakore, Udit Mittal, Pablo Bartholomew, Ankon Mitra, and Two Odd—collaborate to reimagine food as contemporary art. Immersive pop-up restaurants present unrepeated five-course tasting menus, blending culinary craft, visual storytelling, and spatial design into a temporary city of creativity shaping modern India in real time.
Date: 16th – 18th Jan
Venue: Mukesh Mills
Introducing Alibaug’s first Coastal Food Festival, a refined celebration of India’s rich maritime culinary traditions. Showcasing iconic seafood and regional specialties from Goan, Keralan (Malabari), Konkan, Mangalorean, and Malwani cuisines, the festival traces the journey from fresh daily catches to time-honoured coastal recipes. Live cooking, cultural performances, and immersive experiences deepen the sensory narrative, offering a thoughtful exploration of India’s shoreline flavours over leisurely lunches and atmospheric dinners.
Date: 24th – 26th Jan
Venue: Moonstone Hammock Awas, Alibag
A defining live music moment comes to India as John Mayer performs here for the first time. In a rare solo performance, the seven-time Grammy–winning artist will present his music catalogue in its most intimate form—led by nuance, restraint, and guitar-led storytelling. Known for shaping modern blues-pop with emotional precision, Mayer’s performance will offer a quiet intensity.
Date: 22nd Jan
Venue: Mahalaxmi Race Course
Step into the soul of India’s folk heritage as Kalpana Patowary takes the stage with Folk Ecstasy, a vibrant journey through Assam’s tribal music and the Bhojpuri tradition. Singing in seven Indian dialects, she transforms song into a bridge across regions and generations, paying an ode to icons like Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Bhikhari Thakur. With her powerful vocals, rich textures, and live instrumentation, Kalpana blends ancestral rhythms with contemporary sensibilities, offering an immersive celebration of rural India’s stories, memory, and enduring musical spirit.
Date: 24th Jan
Venue: The Studio Theatre, NMACC
Experience jazz reimagined with the Ron Cha Trio, led by Assamese pianist and composer Ron Cha. Rooted in his Northeastern heritage and honed in Amsterdam, Ron blends lyrical piano, modern jazz improvisation, and gospel-infused warmth. Joined by bassist Tijs Klaassen and drummer Wouter Kühne, the trio crafts an intimate, atmospheric soundscape, drawing from Ron’s latest album Barikha, inspired by monsoon-soaked memories.
Date: 11th jan
Venue: The Cube, NMACC
Mahjong and Mocha
An introduction to the timeless game of Mahjong. The session guides guests through tiles, gameplay, scoring, and strategy in an approachable, engaging format, making it perfect for first-timers. Once the basics are mastered, participants enjoy live games with expert hosts on hand, while sipping mochas and taking curated take-home goodies home. This thoughtfully designed afternoon blends learning, leisure, and social connection.
Date: 17th Jan
Venue: The Cube, NMACC
Step into an evening of music, nostalgia, and soulful Sufi magic as Jogi and his band take the stage. From retro hits and romantic ballads to timeless Ghazals and Sufi melodies, this live jam invites you to hum, sway, and lose yourself in the music. Curated as an interactive experience, the audience becomes part of the performance, celebrating Bollywood and Sufi classics together.
Date: 17th Jan
Venue: CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre
