The Art and Design Enthusiast’s Ultimate Guide to 2026

The only creative programming calendar you need to consult, from now till June 2026.

January 2026 (On Going and Upcoming)

1. Kochi-Muziris Biennale

Dates: December 2025 - March 31 2026
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Overview: One of the most awaited art events in the world, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which commenced in December 2025 will run through till March 31, 2026. Curated by visual artist Nikhil Chopra, this edition is titled ‘For the Time Being’. The biennial event will feature contemporary artists from around the world presenting installations, performances, artworks and other events across Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.

2. Krishna Reddy at 100: Of Friendships

Date: December 2025 - March 21 2026

Location: Tokaroun, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India

Overview: The event pays tribute to the legendary artist Krishna Reddy, a pioneer in modern print making, to mark his 100th anniversary. The event features exhibitions, discussions and archival displays in Shantiniketan, a place that was significant in his artistic journey.

3. Lone Runner’s Laboratory

Dates: January 8 - February 21, 2026

Location: Experimenter, Colaba, Mumbai

Overview: ‘Lone Runner’s Laboratory’ is contemporary artist Prabhakar Pachpute’s first solo at Experimenter, Colaba. The artist known for his introspective practice, presents an array of symbolic sculptural artworks that are metaphorical in nature and allude to broader socio-political themes.

4. ‘GUL’ by artists WOLF, Mumbai

Dates: January 8- February 8, 2026
Location: 47-A Gallery, Khotachiwadi, Mumbai
Overview: WOLF is a Jaipur based art studio founded by artists Ritu Singh and Surya Singh, who use art to spark conversations around environmental awareness and cultural preservation. They work with recycled materials and turn waste into objects of beauty and meaning. GUL is their fourth solo show, showcasing a symbolic garden where each floral work is designed from discarded materials.

5. Field Notes (On the Afterlife of Trees), a solo exhibition by Vishal Kumar Gupta

Dates: January 9 - March 7, 2026

Location: Emami Art, KCC, Kolkata

Overview: Emerging artist Vishal Kumar Gupta presents a spectacular body of oil paintings, watercolours, and graphite works shaped by careful layering. Drawing his inspiration from nature, he uses overlooked materials like branches, tree stumps, twigs and manipulates them into expressive forms.

6. Weaving Flowers: Archana Hande’s Solo Exhibition Explores Textile History and Labour

Date: January 10 - March 1 2026

Location: Dr. Bhau Daji Lad (BDL) Museum, Mumbai

Overview: This showcase is a solo exhibition of the works by celebrated artist Archana Hande, curated by BDL’s Managing Trustee and Honorary Director, the art historian, and curator Tasneem Zakaria Mehta. It connects the city’s colonial past with its contemporary urban identity, unfolding as a reflective journey through textiles, legacies, and personal narratives.

17. Bombay Art Society’s 134th All India Annual Art Exhibition

Dates: February 24 - March 2 2026

Location: Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

Overview: The All India Annual Art Exhibition, held at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai will feature a diverse range of paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works by both established and emerging artists. Visitors can engage directly with the creators, join workshops, and take part in panel discussions exploring contemporary themes and techniques in today’s art scene.

18. Design Cultures | City Collabs 2026 – Kolkata Edition

Date: February 27 - March 1 2026

Location: Kolkata Center for Creativity (KCC), Kolkata

Overview: Organised by Aakar, a design consultancy founded by Bhawna Agarwal & Ritu Bansal, in partnership with Raw Collaborative, the event will bring together some of India’s finest designers and creative entrepreneurs under one roof, celebrating sustainability, heritage, and craftsmanship. The showcase features a curated display of striking artworks.