Chennai’s Mylapore comes alive with rich blend of culture, tradition and nostalgia as the annual Mylapore Festival kicks off.
Pre-dating even Chennai’s birth, Mylapore is a neighbourhood that remains the soul of the city. A cultural zeitgeist that continues to preserve and celebrate the arts, culture and tradition of the city, the Mylapore festival returns every year in early January.
Held at the heart of the neighbourhood and laden with the decadence of South Indian heritage, the 2026 edition of the festival will take place from Thursday, January 8 to Sunday, January 11, this year.
The Mylapore Festival is a refreshing dose of nostalgia and cultural celebration worth experiencing
Throughout the four days, events spanning music and dance performances spanning folk, classical, theatre, music and more will be taking place outside the iconic Kapaleeshwarar Temple, featuring over 150 artistes including school students and performers from across Tamil Nadu.
Another mainstay of the festival are the kolam and rangoli contests – happening on January 10 and 11 – where talented artists paint North Mada Street with the vibrant, intricate designs.
A photo walk of the kolam contest – organised by Madras Photo Bloggers and led by Srivatsan Sankaran – will also be taking place between 3-5pm on January 11 – so join in for a reflective yet vibrant visual storytelling experience.
You can also immerse yourselves in the rich history of Mylapore with free heritage walks happening on January 10 and 11. Take the opportunity to explore everything from popular snack joints to iconic landmarks, temples and architectural highlights nestled in the neighbourhood.
Events will also include temple concerts, a photo exhibition, cookery contest, workshops for children and a craft zone displaying self-help group products. Of course, don’t forget to indulge in the yummy food and snacks available at Sundareswarar Street.
Certain events of this year’s edition of the festival have already taken place successfully this past weekend – across January 3 and 4 – including The Mylapore Quiz, a food walk as well as traditional games contests playing Dayakattam and Pallankuzhi.
Delivering perfect blend of old-soul vibes and contemporary life, the Mylapore Festival is a refreshing dose of nostalgia and cultural celebration worth experiencing!
You can find out more information about 2026 edition of Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival on the official website. Plan your visit to the festival by checking the full and detailed schedule of events here.
(Images from 2024 Mylapore Festival Kolam Contest courtesy of Malvika Padin)
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