New Delhi, Jan 13: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, is organising the 11th India International Dance & Music Festival from 16 to 18 January 2026 at Baansera Park, Sarai Kale Khan, New Delhi. The international cultural festival will commence daily at 4:00 PM, while entry for visitors will begin at 3:00 PM. Entry to the festival will be completely free of charge.
This three-day grand cultural event will feature over 148 artists from eight countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, including India. The artists will showcase their rich cultural traditions through diverse forms of dance and music. The festival symbolises global dialogue, harmony, and cultural integration through the arts.
The formal inauguration of the festival will take place on 16 January 2026 by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena. On the opening day, a special presentation under the Laxminarayan Global Music Festival will be led by world-renowned violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam and eminent vocalist Smt. Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam. This will be followed by performances by Kazakhstan’s Astana Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Choir of the Aktobe Regional Philharmonic, and the ‘Gakku’ Dance Ensemble.
The highlight of 17 January 2026 will be the dance-theatre production ‘Radha–Krishna Leela’, choreographed by Padma Shri awardee and renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer Mr. Ramli Ibrahim (Malaysia). Presented by the Sutra Foundation, Malaysia, the production will depict devotion, beauty, and spiritual expression through classical dance. Performances by Burkina Faso’s ‘Kantigui’ Dance Troupe and the Kyrgyz Republic’s ‘Alam’ Folklore Ensemble and ‘Ademi’ Dance Group will also take place on the same day.
The festival will conclude on 18 January 2026 with vibrant performances by Maldives’ fusion band ‘2Ofus’, the Indo-Lithuanian dance production ‘Rasos – The Dewdrop of Experience’, and Uzbekistan’s renowned ‘Tarona’ Dance Ensemble.
The cultural festival will be held in coordination with the three-day Kite Festival organised by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Kite flying activities will take place from 10:00 AM onwards, while the international dance and music performances will be held in the evening. A special pavilion at the Kite Festival will showcase the history of kites and their strategic, cultural, and traditional significance, including their role in warfare, military surveillance, and communication.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khurana, Principal Commissioner, Delhi Development Authority, said: “DDA has handed over the Baansera Park to the city of Delhi well ahead of schedule. Developed across nearly 40 hectares and enriched with thousands of bamboo plants, Baansera Park has emerged as a unique environmental and cultural landmark, making it an ideal venue for such grand and memorable events.”
According to ICCR, the international artists participating in the festival will also perform in other Indian cities, including Chandigarh, Shillong, Jammu, Bengaluru, and Vadodara, enabling audiences across the country to experience global art and culture.
On this occasion, ICCR Director General Ms. K. Nandini Singla said: “The India International Dance & Music Festival is an important platform of India’s cultural diplomacy. It brings together diverse artistic traditions from across the world, strengthening dialogue, harmony, and mutual understanding.”