music
Margazhi Music & Dance Season
The world's largest cultural festival, spanning six weeks of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam performances across 50+ venues in December–January.
When
December – January
6 weeks
Where
Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Krishna Gana Sabha, and 50+ sabhas across the city
What to Expect
- Over 2,000 concerts and dance performances across the city
- Music Academy's annual conference and concerts (the flagship)
- Bharatanatyam arangetrams (debut performances) by young dancers
- Free kutcheri (concerts) at temples across Mylapore
- Carnatic music masterclasses and lectures
- Street food stalls outside sabhas selling filter coffee and tiffin
Tips for Visitors
- Book tickets for marquee concerts at the Music Academy well in advance
- Many smaller sabhas offer free or ₹50 entry, so explore beyond the big venues
- Mylapore's temple concerts are free and atmospheric
- Dress code is typically formal/semi-formal (silk sarees and dhotis are common)
- The season peaks around December 15 – January 1