The Bengaluru Arts & Health Festival (BAHF) is a city-wide celebration that brings the healing power of the arts into everyday life. Inspired by the Global South Arts and Health Initiatives founded by the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship, BAHF integrates music, dance, theatre, storytelling, visual arts, and everyday creative practices through pre-festival community events that will lead to a landmark festival weekend.
Through collaborations with artists, healthcare professionals, educators, community groups, cultural organisations, and more, the festival will become accessible across schools, hospitals, markets, parks, workplaces, petrol pumps and neighbourhoods to transform everyday spaces into hubs of creativity, connection, and wellbeing— that fosters joy, belonging, resilience, and healthier communities.
Two experiences on 13 September 2026 · Orange Arc Community Studio, Cooke Town
Themes Rooted in the City
Creative themes selected to align with Bengaluru's culture, promoting arts in health across every corner of the city.
This festival is open for everyone, everywhere, in every role.
Open to All Ages
Children, adolescents, young adults, adults and senior citizens.
Across Diverse Roles
Doctors, health practitioners, therapists & professionals in health, arts, healing and alternative medicine; artists, culinary enthusiasts, fitness & sports professionals.
Across Socio-Economic Backgrounds
Reaching across income levels and neighbourhoods citywide.
Across Identities & Cultures
Parents, educators, teachers, facilitators, caregivers, homemakers, students, families, health organisations, corporate employees, government personnel, NGOs, policymakers, and frontline workforce.
Across Everyday Living
The constable on duty, the nurse between shifts, the commuter on a long journey, families in waiting lines, daily-wage vendors, factory workers, and labourers.
Across Different Health Conditions
Designed to be accessible and meaningful regardless of physical or mental health condition.
Stages of Festival
Pre-Festival Activation
July – November 2026
Initiation of workshops, events, learning experiences, art engagements, interventions and more, ahead of the festival — in association with various partnered spaces, artists and collaborators across the city, embodying the aligned BAHF vision.
Stage 2Festival Experience
28–29 November 2026
Culmination of multi-disciplinary creative engagements & collaborations at a designated venue/s, fostering a holistic festival experience to celebrate the arts, health, and community.
Stage 3Post-Festival Reflection
December 2026 – March 2027
Capturing reflections and insights of experiences throughout all festival phases, collective responses of diverse audiences, and building the foundation of long-term impact through sustainable everyday practices.