It’s happening: Taylor Swift’s familiar echo has defrosted from its chambers. August is here. The festive season is right around the corner, and even while the monsoon ennui lingers, it shouldn’t stop you from having a jam-packed calendar. Whether you’re looking to smash (things) on a blind date or soak in the creative energy at art showcases and festivals, there’s enough upcoming events in India to match every mood. Also, please check on your fellow weebs—they are never going to be the same after learning that Tetsuro Araki, the director behind Death Note and Attack On Titan, is going to grace Mumbai this month at Anime India 2025.
Before it all slips away, gear up for some of the coolest detours with these Side Quests—Rolling Stone India’s new series spotlighting the most offbeat, uniquely curated events around the country.
KITTENPOP-Be Limitless Tour
When: Aug. 8 and 9, 2025
Where: Multiple venues
KITTENPOP, a hybrid collective movement celebrating underground artistry through music, live painting, and fashion, is making its way to India with a tour spanning Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. As part of the BE LIMITLESS India Tour, the event positions itself as a space for radical expression, culture, and creativity. Expect live art unfolding on expansive canvases, alongside experimental sets by both international and local artists, including Goddam, Alina, and Oktapuss.
Get tickets here
Bazaar-I-Husn: A Chaawri Bazaar Heritage Walk
When: Aug. 10, 2025
Where: Delhi
A unique and immersive experience, this walking tour down the storied lanes of Delhi’s Chaawri Bazaar lets you step into the lives of famous tawaifs—courtesans, who were once connoisseurs and custodians of performing arts and culture in India. Home to erstwhile kothas and the royal Jama Masjid, you get a momentary glimpse into the legacy of these seasoned performers, whose talent and prowess echoed through the streets of Shahjahanabad. Guided by Anousha Jain, the founder, this is a chance to view history from the female gaze, one intriguing story at a time.
Get tickets here
The Horror Hour
When: Aug. 10, 2025
Where: Kalasmruti By SSCC, Ahmedabad
For folk horror and urban legend aficionados, this is the place to be. Presented by the Horror Society, Gujrat, this event is not for the faint-hearted. Performed by Sahil Multani, a poet and author, the spoken-word performance includes spine-chilling tales and haunting anecdotes, where the eeriness of silence takes centre stage. If you’re a true-crime or horror movie junkie with a curiosity for the paranormal, this one’s for you.
Get tickets here
Reel Desires: Chennai International Queer Festival
When: Aug. 8 to 10, 2025
Where: Goethe Institut, Chennai
A landmark project representing queer cinema, the 13th annual edition of the Chennai International Queer Festival (CIQF) kicks off on Aug. 8, 2025, with a lineup of 15 films from 9 countries. From gripping shorts and features to intimate documentaries, the festival spotlights gender and sexuality through a distinctly Indian lens. This year’s standouts include critically acclaimed films and documentaries like NGAAK! (2024), Amma’s Pride (2024) and Manok (2025), along with a community-led panel discussion that brings together queer creatives, cinephiles, and allies. The screenings are free to attend, and the night ends on a high with The Fab Glitter Party.
Get more details here
The Rage Room Blind Date
When: Aug. 15 and 16, 2025
Where: Saki Naka, Mumbai
In an age of dating app burnout, this is potentially one of the coolest ways to meet someone 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 instead of hearts. For adrenaline junkies, this is the ideal place to find people with palpable chemistry. Skip the overpriced cafes and clichéd venues to break the monotony (literally) through experiential icebreakers like these.
Get tickets here
Bihar Museum Biennale 2025
When: Aug. 7 to Dec. 31, 2025
Where: Bihar Museum, Patna
Now in its third edition, the Bihar Museum Biennale gathers a curated mix of cultural institutions and creative practitioners under one roof. At its core, the Biennale champions the role of museums in an increasingly digital world, positioning itself as a hub for global dialogue and cross-cultural exchange.
Titled “Global South: Sharing Histories,” this mammoth exhibition will witness contributions from across Latin America, Africa, and Asia with a theme exploring maritime trade routes and Indian Ocean trade networks. The Biennale will go on till Dec. 31, 2025.
Get more details here
Paradiso’s Mumbai Takeover
When: Aug. 13 and 14, 2025
Where: Late Checkout, Mumbai
Paradiso, the Barcelona bar which topped the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2022, is set to do a two-day takeover in Mumbai. Helmed by mixology maestro Giacomo Giannoti, the experience promises a heady serving of experimentation, theatrics, and flavorful innovation. From the gourmand Great Gatsby to the earthy Subterranean, this one is for both mixology nerds and curious sippers.
Tickets available on Swiggy Scenes
Anime India, Mumbai
When: Aug. 22 to 24, 2025
Where: BEC Mumbai, Mumbai
At India’s first-ever anime concert, fandom culture reigns supreme. In the true spirit of nerding out, Mumbai is going to have a full-scale Anime Convention this August. For older and baby weebs, this is not only an opportunity to empty your bank balance on official merchandise, but also to see Tetsuro Araki, the director behind Attack on Titan and Death Note, in the flesh. A celebration of Japanese pop culture, gaming stages, and cosplay events, this two-day festival will also feature voice artist Tsunko and DJ Touko Nakamura.
Get tickets here
Papa CJ: Still Standing Up
When: Aug. 22 to 30, 2025
Where: Multiple venues
After a hiatus, fans of iconic Indian comedian Papa CJ can heave a sigh of relief as he finally returns to the stage. With a penchant for R-rated comedy and an ability to bring wit, vulnerability, and stellar storytelling together on one stage, the award-winning comic is hitting home ground with a city-wide tour spanning Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Goa. What makes this run even more special is the fact that it marks the 20th anniversary of his global comedy career.
Get tickets here
Ladies Sangeet: A Musical Dramedy
When: Aug. 30, 2025
Where: Apparel House, Gurgaon
Ladies Sangeet, a satirical play directed by Purva Naresh, tackles difficult conversations surrounding gender roles and dysfunctional Indian family dynamics through a musical setting. Amidst a bustling Indian sangeet, a harmless, intergenerational reunion takes a rebellious turn, unravelling the unseen yet everyday patriarchal horrors. Presented by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art with musical features by Vidushi Shuba Mudgal, Harpreet, Anadi Sagar, and Nishant Agarwal, the sound plays a vital role in carrying the plot forward.
Get tickets here