September in Mumbai is a jolly jumble of festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam and Navratri follow hot on the heels of each other. Besides the parade of cultural and religious festivals, September is also brimming with spooky pre-Halloween bashes, unique fake wedding events, and so much more. Our city forgets the rains and the pains they caused, swinging into celebratory mode. Here are the 32 best things to do in September in Mumbai.
1-8. Visit Mumbai’s iconic Ganpati pandals
One of Mumbai’s favourite festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi, is a September highlight. Life here is incomplete without visiting one of the city’s iconic Ganpati pandals featuring ginormous idols, concert-level music and pageantry and a fervent, unmatched devotion. From Lalbaugcha Raja to Andhericha Raja and beyond, check out our list of 8 must-see Ganpati pandals.
9-17. Devour an Onam Sadhya at these restaurants
Whether you’re a Malayali in Mumbai or not, Onam is everyone’s excuse to slip into a food coma eating delicious Kerala sadhya. With over 25 dishes in a single meal, it’s only expected of this South Indian harvest festival. This year, the main 3 days of the 10-day festival fall on September 5, 6 and 7. So grab your Mallu friend and go eat one of these 9 Onam sadhyas in Mumbai.
18-27. Celebrate Navratri at these dandiya and garba events
Are your dandiyas ready for nine nights of dancing? The festival of Navratri is just around the corner (Falguni Pathak is defrosting as you read this), which means garba events inundate Mumbai’s social calendar. Find the best dandiya and garba events in Mumbai here.
28. Visit this Mumbai bookstore with up to 80% discount all year round
Nerds, it’s time to geek out. You can shop for paperback novels of every genre imaginable at this bookstore chain in Mumbai without breaking your budget. They have a guaranteed minimum of 20% discount at all times, even on bestsellers, and a maximum of 80% markdown on prices. Read more here
29. Attend a Taylor Swift engagement-themed fake sangeet party
What would Taylor Swift do if she were to get married in India? You don’t have to use your imagination too hard; this fake sangeet party in Mumbai is doing all the heavy lifting by recreating an Indian version of what Tay-Tay and fiancé Travis Kelce’s engagement party would look like. Of course, as is typical of fake sangeets and fake weddings, there’s no groom or bride! More details here
30. Lock into Mumbai’s first Berlin-style cage rave
The German capital is also one of the world’s party capitals, known for its unique cage raves of hard techno raves. Conducted in underground industrial spaces, these pop-up clubs are enclosed cage-like settings so partygoers can fully immerse themselves in the music. Mumbai’s techno fans are getting their very own Berlin Cage rave this September thanks to Bombae House Party.
📆: September 20; 7:30pm-1:30am
🎟️: INR 1,499 per person, get tickets here
📍: Golden Tobacco Limited, Tobacco House, Swami Vivekananda Rd, Navpada, Vile Parle West
31. Creep yourself out at The Last of Us zombie party
Get your horror on before the calendar moves to October with this pre-Halloween zombie party that promises equal doses of terror and a terrific time. Inspired by the cult video game and the HBO show, the sets, monsters and music are all set to be some of the most realistic recreations you’ve seen.
📆: September 13 ; 9pm-1:30am
🎟️: INR 2, 200 per person, get tickets here
📍: Amandi Bungalow, B-7, Bhati Gaon, Madh Island
32. Sob your heart out with strangers at a Crying Club
Feeling like you only want to be woken up when September ends? Wake up, and weep at one of Mumbai’s crying club sessions. It does exactly what it says – creating a safe public venue to cry and share your sorrows with random strangers. Multiple sessions of the Cry Club are happening this month. More info here.