BLR Hubba

BLR Hubba is an annual arts and culture festival held in Bengaluru, India, organized by the UnboxingBLR Foundation.^[1] The festival presents a range of cultural programming, including music, dance, theater, visual arts, food, walks and heritage-related events, and is conducted across multiple venues in the city. These have included cultural institutions, public parks, and street locations.^[2]

Conceived as a city-wide cultural initiative, BLR Hubba utilizes both conventional and non-traditional public spaces as performance and exhibition sites. Since its inception in 2024, the festival has expanded in scale and duration.

Third edition is scheduled to take place from 16 to 25 January 2026.^[3]

BLR Hubba was initiated by the UnboxingBLR Foundation as a platform to showcase Bengaluru's arts and cultural practices while encouraging public participation in the city's creative spaces. The festival was developed with an emphasis on decentralizing cultural programming by hosting events across multiple neighborhoods rather than at a single centralized venue.

Over successive editions, BLR Hubba broadened its scope to include additional artistic disciplines and formats, such as curated walks, thematic programs, and sub-festivals. The festival has featured a mix of local practitioners and participants from outside Bengaluru, and, in some cases, from international contexts.

The inaugural edition of BLR Hubba was held in 2024 as a multi-venue cultural festival across Bengaluru. Programming included performances and exhibitions in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. Events were organized at various locations within the city, with an emphasis on accessibility and public engagement. Organizer estimates indicated substantial public attendance during the festival period.

The second edition expanded the festival's programming and geographic reach within Bengaluru. Additional art forms, collaborative events, and non-traditional venues were incorporated into the schedule. According to reports, the second edition experienced increased attendance compared to the inaugural year, reflecting growing public interest in the festival.

The third edition of BLR Hubba is scheduled to take place from 16 to 25 January 2026. It is planned as a multi-day festival featuring over 350 events across multiple venues in the city.^[1] The edition is expected to include thematic sub festivals focused on areas such as children's programming, food culture, and future oriented discussions.

Organizers have stated that the third edition will involve participation by a large number of artists and speakers, including contributors from outside India. The festival is planned to continue its emphasis on public spaces, neighborhood-level events, and participatory cultural experiences.

BLR Hubba events are held at various locations across the city. Key venues include Freedom Park, the Bangalore International Centre, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Sabha, IIWC, Panchavti as well as public streets and metro stations.

• Kadalekai Parishe, annual groundnut fair in Basavanagudi and Malleshwaram of Bangalore

• Official website