The Pune music festivals is one of the largest cultural events in the city of Pune bringing in large crowds of music enthusiasts across the nation. Featuring classical and modern music types, this festival reveals the music culture of Pune. Whether you like traditional soulful Indian ragas, independent music, or electronic DJ music, the Pune music festivals has all kinds of music for attendees. Apart from the popular and jubilant music shows, this festival in Pune also provides a cultural extravaganza. There is no better time than now to visit the cultural city in the Maharashtra region.
Pune Music Festivals: 10 Must-Visit Events
The performances at the Pune music festivals include music from various genres. Check out these 10 must-attend events, which explore famous landmarks and open-air stages.
1. Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav
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This is a classic musical event of Indian origin, annually celebrated in Pune, India. As one of the biggest festivals, the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav presents some of the most famous musicians and vocalists of India, and classical music lovers can enjoy this occasion. This is a four-day festival organized in a very calm environment, and as such, it is preferred by music lovers from all over India. You will be ready to see enchanting shows featuring famous Hindustani classical instrumental music stars.
Major Attractions: Classical music performances
Best Time To Visit: December
Location: Ramanbaug Grounds, Pune
Timings: Evening performances
2. NH7 Weekender
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NH7 Weekender is one event that has carved a niche in the Indian music festival circuit with its various genres, such as Rock, Electronic, Indie, Hip-hop, Metal, etc. Pune is the flagship city where this mammoth music festival will take place. In an open space, the festival is famous for its assertive mood, extraordinary guests, and brilliant concert performers from abroad and in our country. If you consider yourself an indie or electronic music fan, this one’s for you!
Major Attractions: Indie, rock, electronic music
Best Time To Visit: November-December
Location: Mahalakshmi Lawns, Pune
Timings: All-day event
3. Vasantotsav
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Vasantotsav is a music and dance festival conducted every year to rejoice in the arrival of the spring season with music concerts including classical music. The festival attracts great musicians and singers from the country who present Indian classical music and themes, which the Pt organises. Vasantrao Deshpande Pratishthan celebrates the Festival of Music to promote the cultural identity of Pune city by making it a musical voyage. The proximity of people and excellent acting also make Vasantotsav an ideal location for people who like traditional Indian performing arts.
Major Attractions: Classical music, dance performances
Best Time To Visit: January
Location: Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Pune
Timings: Evening shows
4. Pune International Jazz Utsav
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The International Jazz Utsav held in Pune is definitely for lovers of Jazz. This live show provides an entertaining and colourful landscape representing some of the most famous jazz performers from the region and worldwide today. This festival emphasises the versatility of the jazz, blues, and modern tendencies that modern followers can explore. People attending the event can watch live performances in a casual setting, making it a festival of choice for casual fans. If you fancy some popular soft jazz beats syncopation and natural instrumentals, consider it a feast for the ears.
Major Attractions: Jazz, fusion performances
Best Time To Visit: October
Location: Shaniwarwada Fort, Pune
Timings: Evening shows
5. Shaniwarwada Dance And Music Festival
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This one is conducted in the historical background of Shaniwarwada Fort, a festival of Indian classical music and dance. It is a cultural fest featuring the talents of musicians and dancers accompanied by the great impressive fort as their background. The integration of music, dancing, and history makes this particular event interesting for all the participants. The ads whether it is a classic Kathak dance show or a mesmerising soulful tabla show this festival is a perfect blend of art and culture. It is ideal for hosts who want guests to see India’s heritage in the larger-than-life arena.
Major Attractions: Classical music, traditional dance
The Best Time To Visit: is February
Location: Shaniwarwada Fort, Pune
Timings: Evening performances
6. Symbiosis International Folk Music Festival
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The spirit of World Folk is bright and diverse: the festival presents folk music from different countries on our stage. Symbiosis International University organises this annual event and what it does here is line up folk artists from other cultures which causes a funny confusion of music. It is a grand affair and the enthusiasts get to see and dance to live folk music from many Indian artists and troupes as well as from artists from different parts of the world. If you want to know the various styles of the International Folk Music Festival, you must visit Symbiosis University.
Major Attractions: Folk music from various cultures
Best Time To Visit: September
Location: Symbiosis International University, Pune
Timings: Afternoon to evening
7. Pune Hip-Hop Festival
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The Pune Hip-hop festival is the celebration of urban art culture and the music of the streets. This dynamic festival hosts some of the country’s most talented hip-hop artists, DJs, and graffiti artists. It consists of live rap-battle performance, break dance, and DJ performance which enthrall the youth making the festival of ultimate energy. Whether one is a fan of hip-hop or simply interested in watching the act, this festival offers a stage for young chancers and influential musicians.
Major Attractions: Hip-hop performances, rap battles
Best Time To Visit: March
Location: Phoenix Marketcity, Pune
Timings: All-day event
8. Swar Vilas
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Swar Vilas is the annual Indian Classical Vocal Music Festival staged amidst Pune’s exotic gardens. The festival special includes a soul-stirring audio-video presentation of a session of Indian classical music and dance involving luminaries and young talents. The natural environment of an open-air theatre becomes an added attraction for lovers of Hindustani and Carnatic music acting as an excellent environment for music lovers. It’s a small and comfy event that is perfect if you want to escape noisy city life and devote time to amazing music.
Major Attractions: Indian classical music
Best Time To Visit: in April
Location: Balewadi Stadium, Pune
Timings: Evening shows
9. Bacardi NH7 Weekender Pune
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The Bacardi NH7 Weekender is one of the largest music festivals in Pune. Featuring a stunning list of domestic and local musicians, this festival has every music lover in the thousands, every year. About the music: From Indie rock bands to DJs playing Electronic music, Bacardi NH7 Weekender covers all areas and all types of audiences. The live atmosphere, food courts, and participant guests’ jubilance make it an enjoyable fiesta frolic for the festival’s attendees.
Major Attractions: International and Indian music acts
Best Time To Visit: November
Location: Mahalakshmi Lawns, Pune
Timings: Afternoon tonight
10. Pune Guitar Festival
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Pune Guitar Festival is a novel festival designed to popularise guitar and its many species. From traditional Spanish guitar masters to flamenco performers to rock musicians, this festival gathers the world’s most talented people. This is very enjoyable for guitar enthusiasts because there are workshops, live performances, and artist commencement with fans. This is a fantastic event, whether you are an amateur or simply like the guitar, as it provides education and fun. The Pune Guitar Festival is a testimony that the city is slowly opening to the global subject of music genres.
Major Attractions: Guitar performances, workshops
Best Time To Visit: August
Location: Tilak Smarak Mandir, Pune
Timings: Afternoon to evening
The Pune music festivals cover various types of music from classical to independent and jazz to suit all types and ages of music lovers. Whether you intend to visit for the day, or whether you will ‘do a conference’ and spend the night, you won’t be left feeling dissatisfied with the outcome. With this useful information about the best events important during the Pune music festival season, start planning with TripXL to visit the festivals with the help of our package so you won’t miss out on these great shows!
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