It’s occurring: Taylor Swift’s acquainted echo has defrosted from its chambers. August is right here. The festive season is correct across the nook, and even whereas the monsoon ennui lingers, it shouldn’t cease you from having a jam-packed calendar. Whether or not you’re seeking to smash (issues) on a blind date or soak within the artistic power at artwork showcases and festivals, there’s sufficient upcoming occasions in India to match each temper. Additionally, please test in your fellow weebs—they’re by no means going to be the identical after studying that Tetsuro Araki, the director behind Loss of life Word and Assault On Titan, goes to grace Mumbai this month at Anime India 2025.
Earlier than all of it slips away, gear up for a few of the coolest detours with these Aspect Quests—Rolling Stone India’s new collection spotlighting probably the most offbeat, uniquely curated occasions across the nation.
KITTENPOP-Be Limitless Tour
When: Aug. 8 and 9, 2025
The place: A number of venues
KITTENPOP, a hybrid collective motion celebrating underground artistry by means of music, dwell portray, and trend, is making its method to India with a tour spanning Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. As a part of the BE LIMITLESS India Tour, the occasion positions itself as an area for radical expression, tradition, and creativity. Anticipate dwell artwork unfolding on expansive canvases, alongside experimental units by each worldwide and native artists, together with Goddam, Alina, and Oktapuss.
Bazaar-I-Husn: A Chaawri Bazaar Heritage Stroll
When: Aug. 10, 2025
The place: Delhi
A novel and immersive expertise, this strolling tour down the storied lanes of Delhi’s Chaawri Bazaar helps you to step into the lives of well-known tawaifs—courtesans, who had been as soon as connoisseurs and custodians of performing arts and tradition in India. Dwelling to erstwhile kothas and the royal Jama Masjid, you get a momentary glimpse into the legacy of those seasoned performers, whose expertise and prowess echoed by means of the streets of Shahjahanabad. Guided by Anousha Jain, the founder, it is a probability to view historical past from the feminine gaze, one intriguing story at a time.
The Horror Hour
When: Aug. 10, 2025
The place: Kalasmruti By SSCC, Ahmedabad
For folks horror and concrete legend aficionados, that is the place to be. Introduced by the Horror Society, Gujrat, this occasion will not be for the faint-hearted. Carried out by Sahil Multani, a poet and creator, the spoken-word efficiency contains spine-chilling tales and haunting anecdotes, the place the eeriness of silence takes centre stage. When you’re a true-crime or horror film junkie with a curiosity for the paranormal, this one’s for you.
Reel Wishes: Chennai Worldwide Queer Pageant
When: Aug. 8 to 10, 2025
The place: Goethe Institut, Chennai
A landmark mission representing queer cinema, the 13th annual version of the Chennai Worldwide Queer Pageant (CIQF) kicks off on Aug. 8, 2025, with a lineup of 15 movies from 9 nations. From gripping shorts and options to intimate documentaries, the pageant spotlights gender and sexuality by means of a distinctly Indian lens. This yr’s standouts embody critically acclaimed movies and documentaries like NGAAK! (2024), Amma’s Delight (2024) and Manok (2025), together with a community-led panel dialogue that brings collectively queer creatives, cinephiles, and allies. The screenings are free to attend, and the night time ends on a excessive with The Fab Glitter Celebration.
The Rage Room Blind Date
When: Aug. 15 and 16, 2025
The place: Saki Naka, Mumbai
In an age of courting app burnout, that is doubtlessly one of many coolest methods to fulfill somebody who matches your freak. Bond over your collective distastes, pet peeves, and love for destructiveness as you c wreak havoc, smash plates, and break TVs as a substitute of hearts. For adrenaline junkies, that is the best place to search out folks with palpable chemistry. Skip the overpriced cafes and clichéd venues to interrupt the monotony (actually) by means of experiential icebreakers like these.
Bihar Museum Biennale 2025
When: Aug. 7 to Dec. 31, 2025
The place: Bihar Museum, Patna
Now in its third version, the Bihar Museum Biennale gathers a curated mixture of cultural establishments and artistic practitioners underneath one roof. At its core, the Biennale champions the position of museums in an more and more digital world, positioning itself as a hub for international dialogue and cross-cultural alternate.
Titled “World South: Sharing Histories,” this mammoth exhibition will witness contributions from throughout Latin America, Africa, and Asia with a theme exploring maritime commerce routes and Indian Ocean commerce networks. The Biennale will go on until Dec. 31, 2025.
Paradiso’s Mumbai Takeover
When: Aug. 13 and 14, 2025
The place: Late Checkout, Mumbai
Paradiso, the Barcelona bar which topped the World’s 50 Finest Bars listing in 2022, is about to do a two-day takeover in Mumbai. Helmed by mixology maestro Giacomo Giannoti, the expertise guarantees a heady serving of experimentation, theatrics, and flavorful innovation. From the gourmand Nice Gatsby to the earthy Subterranean, this one is for each mixology nerds and curious sippers.
Tickets out there on Swiggy Scenes
Anime India, Mumbai
When: Aug. 22 to 24, 2025
The place: BEC Mumbai, Mumbai
At India’s first-ever anime live performance, fandom tradition reigns supreme. Within the true spirit of nerding out, Mumbai goes to have a full-scale Anime Conference this August. For older and child weebs, this isn’t solely a chance to empty your financial institution steadiness on official merchandise, but additionally to see Tetsuro Araki, the director behind Assault on Titan and Loss of life Word, within the flesh. A celebration of Japanese popular culture, gaming levels, and cosplay occasions, this two-day pageant can even function voice artist Tsunko and DJ Touko Nakamura.
Papa CJ: Nonetheless Standing Up
When: Aug. 22 to 30, 2025
The place: A number of venues
After a hiatus, followers of iconic Indian comic Papa CJ can heave a sigh of reduction as he lastly returns to the stage. With a penchant for R-rated comedy and a capability to convey wit, vulnerability, and stellar storytelling collectively on one stage, the award-winning comedian is hitting dwelling floor with a city-wide tour spanning Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Goa. What makes this run much more particular is the truth that it marks the 20th anniversary of his international comedy profession.
Girls Sangeet: A Musical Dramedy
When: Aug. 30, 2025
The place: Attire Home, Gurgaon
Girls Sangeet, a satirical play directed by Purva Naresh, tackles tough conversations surrounding gender roles and dysfunctional Indian household dynamics by means of a musical setting. Amidst a bustling Indian sangeet, a innocent, intergenerational reunion takes a rebellious flip, unravelling the unseen but on a regular basis patriarchal horrors. Introduced by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Artwork with musical options by Vidushi Shuba Mudgal, Harpreet, Anadi Sagar, and Nishant Agarwal, the sound performs an important position in carrying the plot ahead.