Avid Learning: Upcoming Events & Workshops in January and February 2026

As the cultural calendar for early 2026 begins to take shape, Avid Learning presents a thoughtfully curated lineup that brings together literature, music, sustainability, visual arts, and performance. Spanning upcoming events in Mumbai and select upcoming events in Dubai, this season reflects Avid Learning’s commitment to meaningful conversations, artistic excellence, and inclusive public programming. From landmark festivals and panel discussions to live music and hands-on workshops, January and February 2026 promise enriching experiences across cities and disciplines.

Literature and the City at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026

Among the most anticipated upcoming events in Mumbai, Avid Learning returns to the iconic Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026, hosted from 31 January to 7 February at the David Sassoon Library. As part of Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival, Avid Learning presents Writing the Metropolis: The Many Lives of Mumbai, a compelling panel discussion rooted in literature and urban memory.

Mumbai emerges here not merely as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing narrative shaped by migration, ambition, humour, and resilience. Esteemed voices including Anindita Ghose, Sidharth Bhatia, Shormistha Mukherjee, and Asad Laljee reflect on how writing captures the city’s layered identities. Free and open to all, this programme aligns seamlessly with the festival’s theme, “Ahead of the Curve,” and stands out among upcoming workshops in Mumbai for those drawn to books, conversations, and civic imagination.

Jazz India Circuit: A Night of Groove and Improvisation

Music lovers tracking upcoming concerts in Mumbai will find a standout evening at the Royal Opera House on 5 February 2026. The Jazz India Circuit, headlined by the Benny Greb Brass Band, brings the raw, vibrant spirit of jazz to the city. This performance celebrates jazz not as a museum piece, but as a living, evolving form rooted in rhythm, rebellion, and improvisation.

Blending international mastery with an unmistakable local pulse, the evening promises deep grooves, expressive solos, and an atmosphere that welcomes both seasoned listeners and newcomers. Among upcoming concerts, this event reinforces Mumbai’s growing reputation as a dynamic hub for global music cultures.

Sustainability and Food Futures at NGMA

On 11 February 2026, Avid Learning turns the spotlight toward climate resilience with Edible Futures: Tasting Tomorrow in a Warming World, hosted at the National Gallery of Modern Art. This panel discussion, part of the lead-up to Mumbai Climate Week, addresses the urgent intersections of food, water, energy, and climate change.

Speakers examine how India’s food systems are adapting to rising temperatures, water scarcity, and shifting agricultural realities. Topics range from indigenous crops and urban farming to climate-smart agriculture and agri-tech innovation. Presented in collaboration with NGMA Mumbai, TIFR, Project Mumbai, and supported by government and civic bodies, this free programme is among the most relevant upcoming events in Mumbai for those invested in sustainability, policy, and everyday choices around food.

Sufi-Bhakti Poetry and Music: Aalam-e-Ishq

The Royal Opera House hosts another evocative evening on 12 February 2026 with Aalam-e-Ishq, a celebration of love poetry from the Sufi-Bhakti traditions. This performance draws on centuries of devotional thought where love becomes a bridge between the human and the divine.

Through carefully selected compositions rooted in Hindustani music, the programme brings to life verses by poets such as Amir Khusrau and Abdul Hadi ‘Kavish’. Music and text remain deeply intertwined, offering audiences an immersive encounter with longing, surrender, and spiritual union. For those following upcoming concerts in Mumbai that blend culture, history, and music, this evening holds special resonance.

Creative Craft in Dubai: Needle Felting Workshop

Avid Learning’s footprint across upcoming events in UAE continues with a hands-on workshop in Dubai on 14 February 2026. Needle Felting - Make Your Own Needle Felted Coaster, hosted at Nas House in Al Barsha, introduces participants to a slow, tactile craft rooted in sustainability and pastoral traditions.

Using indigenous sheep wool from Northern Karnataka, participants learn needle felting techniques while engaging with stories of community knowledge and wool heritage. This workshop stands out among upcoming events in Dubai for its emphasis on mindful making, material awareness, and creative expression. Each participant leaves with a handmade coaster and a deeper appreciation of wool as a living material.

Songs of the Sacred: Ibaadat by Sonam Kalra

Back in Mumbai, the Royal Opera House welcomes Ibaadat - Songs of the Sacred on 22 February 2026. Led by acclaimed vocalist Sonam Kalra, this performance journeys through Sufi poetry that speaks of oneness, inclusion, and devotion.

Through verses by both celebrated and lesser-known Sufi poets, the evening invites introspection and shared humanity. Sonam Kalra’s soulful voice and immersive presence transform poetry into a lived experience. Among upcoming concerts, this programme offers a space for reflection, emotional depth, and spiritual connection.

Global Vocal Excellence with The S.T.A.R.S.

On 27 February 2026, international vocal ensemble The S.T.A.R.S. bring Motown Magic to Mumbai. Known for their precision, dynamic choreography, and genre-spanning repertoire, the group presents an exhilarating performance that moves effortlessly between Motown, Pop, Jazz, Broadway, and R&B.

Their Mumbai appearance adds a global dimension to upcoming events in Mumbai, blending entertainment with inspirational music traditions rarely showcased on contemporary stages. High-energy harmonies and polished stagecraft make this a must-attend evening for audiences seeking world-class performance.

Storytelling and Sufi Philosophy in March

Extending into early March, Avid Learning continues its storytelling offerings with Ishq Sufiyana and How to be Happy? both on 8 March 2026 at the Royal Opera House. Ishq Sufiyana weaves narratives of Sufi saints and the timeless love story of Laila-Majnu, blending spoken word with music. Later that evening, how to be Happy? reflects on one of life’s most fundamental questions through stories of humanity, emotion, and joy.

A Season of Thoughtful Engagement

Across literature, music, sustainability, craft, and performance, Avid Learning’s January and February 2026 calendar reflects a deep engagement with culture and community. Whether attending upcoming workshops in Mumbai, immersing oneself in upcoming concerts, or participating in upcoming events in UAE, audiences are invited into spaces that value dialogue, creativity, and shared experience.

 

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