Side Quests: Most Offbeat Things to Do Across India This October

October, the universal precursor to canon events and character development arcs (and asking what date it is on October 3), is finally here. As we sluggishly approach the last quarter of the year, the country is bustling with events — from ten-day art festivals to neurophysiology lectures in local bars. And how can one forget the never-ending supply of Halloween costume references that are ripe for the picking this year?

Gear up for some of the most electrifying, enriching, and coolest detours with these Side Quests — Rolling Stone India’s series spotlighting the most offbeat, uniquely curated events around the country.

Bvlgari Serpenti Infinito Exhibition

When: Oct. 2 to 17, 2025
Where: NMACC, Mumbai

Unlike the snakes in your life, this exhibit does everything but disappoint. A must-visit for fashion and luxury enthusiasts alike, Bvlgari’s Serpenti Infinito Exhibition celebrates the year of the snake, showcasing archival collections and immersive installations from the iconic Roman jewelry house. At the heart of the experience is the Serpenti, Bvlgari’s universal symbol since 1948. Featuring international and Indian artists presenting their unique cultural interpretations of this timeless motif, the exhibit is curated by Nature Morte with artistic direction by Sean Anderson. 

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Delhi Art Weekend

When: Oct. 3 to 12, 2025
Where: Multiple Venues across the city

Spread across ten days, Delhi Art Weekend is an all-in-one amalgamation of art, community, and culture. With keynote speaker sessions on design and architecture, heritage walks, homegrown brand store tours, and immersive acts, the event takes place across multiple venues strewn across the capital. Some notable artists from their music lineup include OG Shez, Dualist Inquiry, and Bharg, to name a few. 

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KNMA Festival, New Delhi 

A multi-genre folk music festival, consisting of epic ballads, regional hip-hop, and more, KNMA’s Voices of Diversity packs in a wide range of India’s sonic palette. The brainchild of the revered Carnatic vocalist, author, and activist T.M Krishna, the festival strives to make the cultural tapestry of the country’s art scene more accessible. A standout feature is also the ‘Orictecture’ stage, designed by architect-sculptor Ankon Mitra, which melds origami and architecture into one boundless platform.

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Phad Baachan, Ahmedabad

When: Oct. 11, 2025
Where: Kanoria Centre for Arts, Ahmedabad

Embark on a culturally infused trip as a mother-son trio from Rajasthan mesmerizes you with Phaad, a traditional folk art encapsulating storytelling and music as the stringed instrument ravanhatta acts as background score. Organized by Thorr collective, this one-of-a-kind performance carries forward unique oral traditions that exist in the crevices of our country’s burgeoning folk soundscape.

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Da-Lit Queer Tour, Dehradun

When: Oct. 11, 2025
Where: Wise Monkey Bar, Dehradun

Rooted in resistance, inclusivity, and intersectional solidarity, the Dehradun edition of Da-Lit Queer Tour promises more than just art, drag, comedy, music, and spoken word poetry. Spotlighting artists from queer and marginalized backgrounds,  the traveling festival recognizes art as a socio-political tool, utilizing it to challenge heteronormative and discriminatory dogmas.

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YOUFORIA Chp. पाथॅ | by HRUTUL

When: Oct. 11 and 12, 2025
Where: Sath Sangath, The Venue Of Occasion, Ahmedabad

Youforia is touted as a hex-immersive audio-visual concert unlike any regular event, spanning 17 original songs that sonically dissect the many facets of Indian mythology. Picture six dome-like hexagonal screens, each larger than a movie screen, surrounding you as you sit at the center, immersed in a 360-degree sensory experience. Conceptualized by Hrutul, a musical artist behind the show, it also features other regional singers, infusing themes of modern late-stage capitalism, exploring ideas of social media, AI, and more into ancient mythological lessons. Adding to the spectacle are dynamic dance performances that bring the narrative to life.

Vir Das: Sounds of India

When: Oct. 11- Dec. 14, 2025
Where: Multiple venues (Kanniyakumari, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Jaipur and Udaipur)

Emmy-award-winning stand-up comedian, author, and actor Vir Das is set to bring his pan-India show, which celebrates the very essence of the country- sound. From traffic noises and gully fights, festive chants to euphoric cheers, Das spotlights the vibrancy that engulfs our nation with a dash of wit and wry humor. 

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Pint Of View Mumbai

When: Oct. 12, 2025
Where: Versova Social

Get ready to head back to university lectures — only this time, they’re happening at your local bar. Inspired by the global “lectures in bars” trend Pint Of View serves as a community pit stop where like-minded individuals gather for engaging academic and cultural discussions. Led by professors and special experts, the sessions cover a wide spectrum of topics, from neurophysiology and urban research to the ever-evolving media landscape. It’s a chance to nerd out over your special interests with a side of your favorite cocktail; an unexpected yet perfect pairing. The current session, which is on navigating the entertainment industry, will be moderated by Siddhaarth Aalambayan, the man behind the award-winning IPs like The Bombay Journey and The Male Feminist.

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The Death Gala: Dress For The Red Carpet, Mumbai

When: Oct. 30, 2025
Where antiSOCIAL, Lower Parel

Is it even truly Halloween without the Death Gala? Fashion killers, take notes:Official It Events returns with its annual ball, and the theme is “dress for the red carpet” with a side of gore. An all-round extravaganza, it celebrates the rising Indian queer underground in fashion, music, and beyond. This year, death and drag shake hands — the key is to leave even the mortuaries gagged by your ensemble. Judges and performers include Glorious Luna, Gentleman Gaga, Deedeepls, Sunil Bormahela, and Elton Fernandes. The ball promises nothing short of serving, eating, cooking, and clocking other queens as you strut down the dead carpet. With highly anticipated performances by acclaimed drag and queer icons, it’s an exuberant celebration of everything maleficent and macabre.

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Dharamshala International Film Festival

When: Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2025
Where: Tibetan Children’s Village in Upper Dharamshala

Nestled amidst the serene Dharamshala mountains, the 14th edition of this festival invites you to experience the best of indie cinema, ranging from fiction to documentaries, over the course of four immersive days. Be it animated features like Lesbian Space Princess or rural Indian romance tales like Sabar Bonda, there’s something in store for everyone. Held at the Tibetan Children’s Village in Upper Dharamshala, the event goes beyond screenings, featuring insightful panel discussions with esteemed guests from the world of film and art. If you’re looking for the perfect cinematic escape in the mountains, this festival is just one click away.

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