A view of Marine Drive in Mumbai at dusk.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mumbai: The first-ever Mumbai Festival, scheduled to be held from January 20-28 next year will honour people who keep India's financial capital moving.
The nine-day Mumbai Festival 2024 aims to showcase the spirit of unity with the theme 'Everyone's Invited'. The theme emphasizes the inclusivity of Mumbai as the melting pot that welcomes and embraces everyone in the city of dreams, 'Sapno Ka Gateway.'
The festival will feature cultural events, musical events, food festivals, and more.
One of the unique highlights of the festival is 'Mumbai Walks', wherein the icons of the city would come together to felicitate and pay a tribute to the heroes of Mumbai who keep the 'maximum-city' moving, comprising the dabbawallas, the police havildars, the BEST bus drivers and conductors, sweepers, cleaning crews and so on.
The details of the festival were announced by Tourism Minister Girish Mahajan along with leading businessman Anand Mahindra, who is the Chairperson of the Mumbai Festival Advisory Committee, in the presence of Dr B N Patil, Director, Directorate of Tourism.
“The festival aims to boost tourism, cultivate development and inclusiveness, and discover new opportunities and avenues in the industry. Mumbai Festival 2024 isn't just an event; it's a transformative experience, poised to be one of the biggest annual festivals that India has ever witnessed,” said Mahajan.
“Through the Mumbai Festival, everyone will witness the unique celebration through multiple events amalgamating art, culture, sports, fashion, and more. This festival isn't just an event; it promises unparalleled joy, making it the pinnacle of festivities for all revellers in attendance,” added Manindra.
The Department of Tourism has entrusted Wizcraft Entertainment Agency Pvt. Ltd. to conceptualise and manage the Mumbai festival.
The festival events will be held at various locations across Mumbai. The event line-up boasts diverse, engaging activities featuring cultural events, a vibrant music fest, the Maha Mumbai Expo, captivating cinema and beach fests, a movie competition, an exciting 'Cricket Clinic', and a start-up fest among many others.
The Mumbai Marathon; Kala Ghoda Arts Festival; Happy Streets; Yoga By The Bay; and Aarogyam Kidzathon are set to be integral parts of the Mumbai Festival as collaborative events, further enhancing the city’s vibrant cultural celebration.