As winter draws nigh, New Delhi is gearing up for another thrilling season of festivities, fun and cultural vibrance. From film festivals to art exhibitions, from artisanal expositions to garden soirees, from music concerts to theatre to culinary adventures, the national capital becomes a riot of kaleidoscopic memories to take home for every visitor.
Here's a quick review of some of the most happening cultural hubs in the city.
Bikaner House
This one is easily located. Just wend you way to the touristy India Gate hexagon and step into one of New Delhi’s most iconic palaces from the times of the Indian Maharajas and Maharanis. Bikaner House, yes, it is connected to the Bikaner royals of Rajasthan. After a massive makeover to create some wonderful public spaces, it now runs a great line-up of exhibitions, performances, cultural events and receptions, shoots et al, all week long. The stately ballroom with its wooden flooring, elegant chandeliers, high ceilings, and sweeping arches, inspired by Edwardian neoclassical aesthetic and Rajasthani architecture, hosts art and craft exhibitions, live performances, talks and book launches, lectures, fashion shows etc. The Art Gallery, located on the ground offers access to a medley of visual arts exhibitions—largely paintings, photography, installations and sculptures. An unmissable event is the Sunday Market.
What makes it even more alluring is the culinary adventures you can enjoy at its several restaurants—Cafe Diggin, Cafe L’opera, Haldiram, serving ethnic Indian cuisine.
Sunder Nursery
Adjoining the city’s history-and-heritage icon, the Humayun’s Tomb complex. Sunder Nursery has swiftly risen to become one of Delhi’s top cultural hubs for workshops, walks and events. Environmental, educational, and cultural programmes drive the action here. On November 8, 2025, it offers a magical evening with the much-awaited Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Hans Zimmer. This remarkable evening transforms live music into an atmospheric journey, perfect for all ages. From the 19th-20th December the grounds are awash with visitors for the Christmas soiree. The great allure at this jewel of a garden-style public space is the ever-popular Winter Pop-Up held in December. Visitors can soak up the many delights of its great craft markets with showcasing of handmade ceramics, Kashmiri weaves, organic jams, and handcrafted artefacts and lots more.
Mandi House
The city’s nucleus for the confluence of fine arts, dance, music, theatre and other cultural activities. Many pioneering cultural institutions are housed along the wide tree-lined avenues of Mandi House. Huge numbers of readers, writers, artists, students, connoisseurs and the likes participate in and contribute to this very vibrant artistic and cultural microcosm of India. Its impressive landmark venues include Rabindra Bhawan housing the three national academies – the Sahitya, the Sangeet Natak and the Lalit Kala. Then you have the Sriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra — the breeding ground for the many leading Bollywood and theatre personalities; Kamani Auditorium; LTG Auditorium—marked for its theatre, music, and dance performances by renowned and emerging talent; Sri Ram Centre; Triveni Kala Sangam; National School of Drama, Russian Centre for Science & Culture etc. The richly atmospheric vibes of Mandi House are an unmissable experience of Delhi’s cultural scene.
India International Centre
Affectionately known as the IIC, it’s the main watering hole where the city’s intelligentsia, politicians of all hues and culture buffs rub shoulders at the line-up of cultural events held all year round. IIC’s dedication to the values of liberal humanism is best reflected in its activities and calendar of events ranging from lectures, seminars, panel discussions, international and national conferences to a variety of cultural events of music, cinema, and visual arts, both classical and folk. Entry to these is open to the wider public of the city. The Centre regularly presents exhibitions of paintings, photographs, sculptures, pottery, ceramic, and glass works of artists from India and abroad. The focus of the exhibitions is to present younger artists, lesser-known art forms and folk and traditional styles. The Centre has also become an important platform for Western music concerts--recitals, chamber music orchestras and international vocalists. In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain IIC is organizing a Flamenco Guitar Concert by Paco Serrano at the Stein Auditorium on October 27 October 2025.
India Habitat Centre
An unmissable event here is the weeklong Delhi International Film Festival celebrating cinematic excellence in October. Visitors arrive to enjoy screenings from across around the world alongside indie Indian narratives, panel discussions, and post-screening mixers. It’s also a great time for some lovely filmi gup-shup over a cup of chai. From 31st October – 9th November 2025 the 30th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) offers a diverse showcase of award-winning films from 28 European countries and Ukraine over 10 days. Screenings will take place at iconic venues across Delhi, including India Habitat Centre, Instituto Cervantes, Goethe-Institut, and the Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Centre. Entry free; first-come, first-served.
Constitution Club of India, Delhi
On November 7, 2025, immerse yourself in the vibrant offerings of over 75 art galleries and 2,000+ independent and established artists, showcasing more than 20,000 artworks at the India Art Festival, the country’s leading affordable art fair network.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Slip into Gate No. 14 at the stadium for an extraordinary jamboree of food, music, shopping, and cultural expositions at the Horn OK Please 15.0 blockbuster showcase on 29th and 30th November 2025. From pop-up bars and fun zones, to live music and performances just go with the flow for a fun-filled weekend.
Nehru Park
Located in the verdant reaches of Delhi’s elite diplomatic hub, Chanakyapuri, Nehru Park becomes a bustling winter venue for live concerts by various artists. In November its iconic fest in the "Jazz Under the Stars" series returns with greater gusto. On weekends, the park turns into a hub of live music. It also showcases artworks and sculptures by local and national artists as well as poetry readings, storytelling, and book launches.
Lodhi Art District
Lose yourself in the creative outpourings of artists from home and abroad in this leafy, tranquil intersection of commerce and culture. Street art in its most vibrant hues is just a walk away.
The Piano Man Jazz Club
Located opposite the beautiful Deer Park at Commercial Complex B 6/7-22, Safdarjung it’s a huge magnet for all lovers of music and magical nights. The live performances by accomplished musicians are at the very heart of its enduring fame.
Dhan Mill Compound
Mingle here with Delhi’s hip and happening glitterati and chatterati amongst its design studios, boutiques and swanky cafés setting in Chattarpur.
Delhi has long invested its spirit in promoting art and culture for centuries. Loaded with heritage walks and theatrical performances, music jamborees, arts and crafts exhibitions, poetry sessions and book fairs, culinary expositions and architectural showcases— and so much else, it’s a dreamy paradise of plenty for the culture buff.