For most of you reading this, the “New Year, New Me” frenzy must have worn off by now. All those resolutions and goals crumbled as soon as you entered your grey cubicle, picking up all those pending decks you’d promised to “look into” in January. The harrowing Microsoft Teams notification sound underscores your day like a horror movie soundtrack, and with every “circle back,” you’re probably going deeper into a downward spiral. As refreshing as January is, so are the pending deadlines, deliverables, and expectations for what lies ahead in the great year of 2026, or as the internet is calling it, 2016. Nevertheless, in the spirit of rejecting chrononormativity, let the New Year be your sign to claim it. Amid Sisyphean tasks and Q1 madness, get your spark back, revisit those glimmers of joy, and for the love of God, touch some grass with these Side Quests, Rolling Stone India’s series spotlighting the most uniquely curated events around the country.
Rockstar Fanmeet
This is your best chance to ask Imtiaz Ali for financial compensation for that ending. The Rockstar fan meet, a celebration of one of the finest Indian musical dramas, promises to be a treat for cinephiles. Soak in the nostalgia as DOPs, editors, and Ali himself dissect critical moments, recall unheard BTS moments, and break down shots via panel discussions. Part of an ongoing series spotlighting the inner workings of popular Indian cinema, including Delhi Belly, this event also lets attendees take part in interactive trivia quizzes, photo booths, and a musical storytelling performance by Laksh Maheshwari.
When: Jan. 16, 2026
Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA
Burnout City India: Car & Bike Festival, Delhi
Sitting at the crossroads of music and automobiles, Burnout City is a confluence for both gearheads and melomaniacs. Witness the best of luxury and vintage showcases, test out drift arenas, groove to live music, mingle with your tribe in hangout arenas, and experience the best of Indian car culture.
When: Jan. 17, 2026
Where: NSCI Exhibition Ground Gate 6, New Delhi
Blood Moon Over Bengaluru
Nestled in the bylanes of Shivajinagar, “Blood Moon Over Bengaluru” is a hauntingly immersive offering. As an audience member, your adrenaline-inducing task is to connect the dots behind the curious case of Sughanda, whose body lies withering away, stricken by a strange curse. Melding gothic horror, queer resistance, and folk narratives with interactive theatre, the showcase is bound to unlock your inner mage.
When: Jan.16-18, 2026
Where: Sabha Blr
The Gathering: Edition 02
Ever thought you could learn about food and Indian fabric history on one dinner table? Or get mesmerized by an art installation made of bamboo poles and hand-made noodles? Prepare to embark on a multi-sensorial universe curated by the country’s finest chefs at The Gathering, a multi-disciplinary conclave that brings the best of culture, community, and art through food. Five-course menus, unique pop-ups and workshops, contemporary art showcases, and more; you know the drill. The event will feature one-of-a-kind collaborations between artists like Pablo Bartholomew, Abraham and Thakore, Udit Mittal, Two Odd, and Ankon Mitra, and culinary renegades like Chef Nitya Rao, Doma Wang, Sachiko Seth, Bawmra Jap, Ralph Prazeres, Priyam Chatterjee, and Rishabh Seal, each presenting exclusively-designed menus that will never be repeated.
When: Jan. 16-18, 2026
Where: Mukesh Mills, Mumbai
E’Beh, Delhi NCR
Slovenian Puppeteer extraordinaire Matija Solce is set to bring E’Beh, a theatrical concoction of oddities, to India. Built from the ground up using everyday objects, the show, which is centered around the protagonist Pulcinella, integrates unique plot points with complex themes like death. A one-man show created, produced, and performed by Solce, E’Beh is equal parts playful and introspective.
When: Jan. 18, 2026
Where: Oddbird Theatre, New Delhi
G5A Cinema House Presents: South Asia Now
Repping the indie vanguard, South Asia Now by G5A house strives to bring the breadth of South Asian diversity to the big screen. Curated by filmmaker and producer Anu Rangachar, the event spotlights contemporary cinema, ranging from documentaries to fiction features, emerging from across Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and India.
When: Jan.23-25, 2026
Where: G5A Cinema House, Mumbai
Kerala Literature Festival
Boasting a lineup of speakers like Sunita Williams, Shashi Tharoor, Satoshi Yagisawa, PA Ranjith, and more, the ninth edition of Kerala Literature Festival brings the global literary conversation to Kozhikode. Set along the Arabian shores of India’s first designated literature city, the festival will spotlight literature, art, and contemporary culture through a series of thought-provoking conversations, deep dives, and cross-disciplinary sessions, such as “The Future of Knowledge And the Democratization of Information” with Jimmy Wales, “Future India: Vision, Voices, and Leadership” with Indra Nooyi, and “Do our Epics Feel Cringe?” by Gourav Mohanty and Anuja Chandramouli.
When: Jan. 22-26, 2026
Where: Kozhikode beach, Kerala
Kochi Muziris Biennale
At the sixth edition of the coveted Kochi Biennale, one of the largest contemporary art festivals in Asia, expect to be enveloped by inspiration as you saunter across multiple venues and witness the works of 60+ artists from around the world. Titled “For the time being,” this year’s biennale, which is curated by multidisciplinary artist Nikhil Chopra, in partnership with the Goa-based HH art spaces, emphasizes friendship economies in artist-led ventures.
When: Up to March. 31, 2026
Where: Multiple venues across Kochi
Walk-in entry
Mumbai Pride March
Who says you have to wait till June to get the pride party started? Keeping up with the anti-chrononormative agenda, Mumbai Queer Pride’s annual Pride month celebrations begin in January itself. A jam-packed calendar of events, such as pop-ups, film festivals, and premier leagues, leads up to the highly anticipated annual city-wide Pride march.
When: Jan. 31, 2026
Where: August Kranti Maidan, Grant Road(W)
