Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Mumbai's Weekend: Independence Day Runs, Onam Festivities and Sufi Music
This weekend is special in Mumbai because India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15.
Independence Day is the day India remembers becoming a free country.
Early on Saturday morning, fitness lovers can join a very long 12-hour run at Shivaji Park.
Children and adults can paint pictures using the colours of the Indian flag at a workshop in Khar.
There is also a big community market with local brands, food, games and live music at Jio World Drive.
On Sunday, Onam, a famous festival from Kerala, is celebrated with traditional dances and special festive meals called Onam Sadhya at two malls.
The evening ends with Sufi music performed by a group led by AR Rahman.
Sufi music is calm and spiritual, and the show takes place at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Bandra.
So there are fun things to do for everyone in Mumbai this weekend.
Mumbai marks India's 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15 with events across the city.
A 12-hour patriotic marathon kicks off at 5:00 AM at Shivaji Park, Dadar, on August 15.
A tricolour-inspired acrylic painting workshop runs at Doolally Taproom, Khar, with entry at ₹1,399 including an F&B voucher.
A two-day community market with homegrown brands, food, games and live music is held at Monsoon Hangar, Jio World Drive, BKC, on August 15-16.
Onam festivities with traditional dance, Bharatanatyam and Onam Sadhya take place at Oberoi Mall and Sky City Mall, alongside a Sufi evening featuring AR Rahman's KM Sufi Ensemble.
- Who
- Mumbai residents and visitors attending weekend events, including performers from AR Rahman's KM Sufi Ensemble
- What
- A weekend lineup of Independence Day celebrations, a marathon, a painting workshop, a community market, Onam festivities and a Sufi music evening
- When
- Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16
- Where
- Across Mumbai — Shivaji Park Dadar, Khar, BKC, Goregaon East, Borivali and Bandra
- Why
- To mark India's 80th Independence Day and celebrate cultural traditions such as Onam
- Occasion
- India's 80th Independence Day
- Event dates
- August 15-16 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Patriotic marathon
- 12-hour run at Shivaji Park, Dadar, from 5:00 AM on August 15
- Painting workshop fee
- ₹1,399 including F&B voucher at Doolally Taproom, Khar
- Community market
- Monsoon Hangar, Jio World Drive, BKC, August 15-16, 2:00-10:00 PM
- Onam celebrations
- Oberoi Mall, Goregaon East (4:00-8:00 PM) and Sky City Mall, Borivali (from 6:00 PM), August 16
- Sufi music evening
- AR Rahman's KM Sufi Ensemble at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Bandra, August 16