Must-see entertainment in India

  • Rabindra Sadan

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    This auditorium is a part of the Nandan Complex. Tourist Information offices and pamphlets give extensive listings of events here.

  • Nandan Cinema

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    This cinema is part of the Nandan Complex. Tourist information offices and pamphlets give extensive listings of events here.

  • B Flat

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    Popular pub and performance venue that features some of India’s best blues and jazz acts, alternative and indie bands, comedy, and even experimental…

  • Inox (Forum Mall)

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    One of Kolkata's top-tier multiplexes, screening brand-new Hollywood, Bollywood and local Bengali flicks. Located on the top floor of the Forum Mall.

  • Kolkata Knight Riders

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    Kolkata's IPL cricket team plays at the gigantic Eden Gardens stadium, and has won the national T20 championship a couple of times in the past.

  • Akshara Theatre

    New Delhi

    Small, but well regarded theatre with frequent shows. Puts on its own small-scale drama productions, but also often hosts comedy nights.

  • INOX Cinema

    Panaji

    This comfortable, plush multiplex cinema shows Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters. Book online to choose your seats in advance.

  • Music Academy

    Chennai (Madras)

    Chennai’s most popular venue for Carnatic music and bharatanatyam. Check the website for upcoming events (some free).

  • Inox (Quest Mall)

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    Located on the top floor of the Quest Mall, this top-tier multiplex screens Hollywood, Bollywood and local Bengali releases.

  • Bangalore Turf Club

    Bengaluru (Bangalore)

    Horse racing is big in Bengaluru and can make for a fun day out. Races are generally held on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

  • Metro INOX

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    This grande dame of Bombay talkies, formerly known as Metro Big, has been renovated into a multiplex cinema.

  • Sawai Mansingh Stadium

    Jaipur

    The home ground for the local cricket team, the Rajasthan Royals, in the Indian Premier League.

  • Sterling

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    Shows first-run English-language movies, and has a food court.

  • Ens Kalari

    Kochi (Cochin)

    To see real professionals practising kalarippayat, seek out this renowned 65-year-old training school 6.5km southeast of central Ernakulam. There are…

  • Delite Cinema

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Founded in 1954 as the tallest building in Delhi, the Delite was renovated in 2006 and it's no ordinary cinema, with a painted dome and Czech chandeliers…

  • Polo Ground

    Jaipur

    Maharaja Man Singh II indulged his passion for polo by building an enormous polo ground next to Rambagh Palace, which is still a polo-match hub today. A…

  • PVR Plaza Cinema

    New Delhi

    Glossy chain cinema, screening the latest Bollywood releases as well as high-profile Hollywood imports. There are PVR branches on Baba Kharak Singh Marg…

  • Sound-and-Light Show

    Orchha

    More sound than light, this tall tale is most likely to enthuse those particularly interested in Orchha's history. The story has it all – galloping horses…

  • Greenix Village

    Kochi (Cochin)

    Primarily aimed at tourists, this 'cultural village' seeks to put the full gamut of Keralan music and arts under one roof, with a small cultural museum …

  • Ooty Racecourse

    Ooty (Udhagamandalam)

    Ooty’s racecourse dominates the valley between Charring Cross and the lake. Racing season runs from mid-April to mid-June, and on the two or three race…

  • Casino Pride

    Panaji

    These two casino boats are loosely modelled on Mississippi-style paddle boats. Pride I has 40 gaming tables, kids’ play room and an outdoor party deck…

  • Sound-&-Light Show

    Khajuraho

    Technicolour floodlights sweep across the temples of the Western Group as Indian classical music soundtracks a potted history of Khajuraho narrated by the…

  • Mewar Sound & Light Show

    Udaipur

    Fifteen centuries of intriguing Mewar history are squeezed into one atmospheric hour of commentary and light switching – in English from September to…

  • Akhra @ Baitanik

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    This performance venue showcases an everchanging melange of art, theatre and folk or fusion music, both rural and urban. Events are held on a few evenings…

  • Sound & Light Show

    Telangana & Andhra Pradesh

    This show at the Chandragiri Fort complex lasts approximately 45 minutes. It was suspended at the time of research but there are plans to run it again…

  • See India Foundation

    Kochi (Cochin)

    One of the oldest Kathakali theatres in Kerala, this snug venue has small-scale shows with an emphasis on the religious and philosophical roots of…

  • VM Sound & Light Show

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    This son-et-lumière session on the grounds of the Victoria Memorial is a pleasant way to acquaint yourself with the city's history. There are no shows…

  • Salt Lake Stadium

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    Out near the Hyatt Hotel, this huge stadium hosts major football (soccer) matches, generally at night when the floodlights can attract vast swarms of…

  • Calcutta School of Music

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    While this institute primarily offers long-term musical courses, events in a variety of styles (from classical to traditional Indian music) are also held…

  • DY Patil Stadium

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    A modern, 55,000-capacity stadium that hosts the ISL’s Mumbai City FC (football/soccer team), plus occasional IPL cricket matches. It’s 21km east of…

  • Atlético de Kolkata

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    Kolkata's high-profile football (soccer) team is one of the star formations in the Indian Super League. They play at Salt Lake Stadium. Tickets are sold…

  • Inox Cinemas

    Jaipur

    This three-screen multiplex in a largely empty and forlorn shopping mall features the latest Bollywood blockbusters and usually some Hollywood offerings …

  • Sisir Mancha

    Kolkata (Calcutta)

    This auditorium is a part of the Nandan Complex. Tourist Information offices and pamphlets give extensive listings of events here.

  • PVR Priya Cinema

    Delhi

    PVR's flagship cinema, known just as Priya, was due to reopen in 2019 after wholesale renovations as part of Basant Lok Market's million-dollar makeover.

  • Cooperage Football Stadium

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    Home to Air India FC and ONGC FC, this ground hosts local football (soccer) matches between September and April. Many local matches are free.

  • Folk Dance Show

    Khajuraho

    Nightly one-hour folk-dancing performances showcasing seven different regions of India take place in Kandariya's comfortable indoor theatre.

  • Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

    Chennai (Madras)

    This cultural and educational Mylapore-based institute is a major classical-music and dance venue. Check the website for upcoming shows.

  • Sound-&-Light Show

    Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh

    A nightly 45-minute sound-and-light show is held in the amphitheatre at Gwalior Fort. Get there 15 minutes before performances begin.

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