Mumbai, February 18, 2026: At last, the world’s largest open-access arts movement is arriving in India. This March, the much-anticipated Mumbai Fringe Festival 2026 will debut, introducing the globally celebrated Fringe format to Indian audiences for the very first time.
From Edinburgh to the World — And Now to Mumbai
The Fringe movement began in 1947 on the margins of the Edinburgh International Festival. Initially, it was a bold act of creative rebellion. However, it quickly evolved into a global cultural phenomenon.
Today, the movement spans over 300 festivals worldwide, including the iconic Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Prague Fringe Festival, and Adelaide Fringe.
For nearly eight decades, Fringe festivals have launched careers, challenged artistic conventions, and redefined live performance. Now, that same disruptive and democratic spirit is set to energise Mumbai.
Mumbai Fringe Festival 2026: Dates and Venues
The Mumbai Fringe Festival will take place from March 10 to 15, 2026. To begin with, the opening night will be hosted at the renowned Tata Theatre. Thereafter, the festival will expand across Bandra’s thriving creative circuit.
Key venues include:
- Khar Comedy Club
- 3 Art House
- indifferent @ Gharonda
Over six dynamic days, nearly 60 performances will unfold across these spaces. Consequently, audiences will travel from venue to venue, discovering comedy, theatre, poetry, storytelling, and experimental works in intimate settings.
In other words, this is not a single-stage spectacle. Instead, it is a city-wide cultural journey.
A Power-Packed Line-Up of Indian and International Talent
Importantly, the India edition launches with an exciting mix of leading Indian voices and globally acclaimed productions.
The Indian line-up includes:
- Rohan Joshi
- Kanan Gill
- Varun Grover
- Aakash Gupta
- Priya Malik
- Urooj Ashfaq
- Amit Tandon
Meanwhile, international highlights feature:
- Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act by Nigel Miles Thomas
- A solo adaptation of Macbeth presented by UK-based theatre company The Shakespeare Edit
- Haunted House by David Hoskin
True to the Fringe ethos, the programming is bold, inventive, and unafraid to experiment.
Tickets Selling Fast on BookMyShow
Currently, tickets are available exclusively on BookMyShow. Notably, several performances are already sold out. This early demand clearly reflects strong momentum and excitement surrounding India’s first Fringe edition.
Founders Speak: Why India Is Ready for Fringe
The Mumbai Fringe Festival is co-founded by Steve Gove and Simar Singh, both of whom believe India is primed for this format.
Steve Gove, Founder and Director of the Prague Fringe Festival, shared:
“Bringing Fringe to Mumbai has been a long-held dream. Cities worldwide have embraced this model and watched it transform their creative landscapes. Mumbai has the energy, appetite, and talent to make this extraordinary.”
Similarly, Simar Singh, Founder of UnErase Poetry, emphasised:
“The Fringe model gives artists complete freedom. It creates space for new voices and unexpected ideas to connect directly with audiences. Mumbai deserves a platform like this.”
Additionally, Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, welcomed the launch and extended his support as Mumbai joins the global Fringe network.
A Defining Moment for India’s Cultural Landscape
Above all, the Mumbai Fringe Festival is designed as a discovery-led experience. It reduces gatekeeping and brings audiences closer to artists and ideas. As a result, it encourages experimentation and authentic creative exchange.
For a country with one of the world’s richest artistic traditions, the arrival of Fringe is both timely and historic. What began on the margins of Scotland in 1947 now steps confidently onto an Indian stage.
And fittingly, it begins in Mumbai.
Tickets are exclusively available on BookMyShow.
For more details, visit: www.mumbaifringe.com
