Goa Open Arts Festival is an artist-led, community-driven celebration of contemporary creative practice in Goa. Rooted in exchange, experimentation, and dialogue, the festival brings together visual art, performance, music, film, and participatory workshops, creating an open and inclusive space where artists and audiences engage with ideas, process, and place. Goa Open Arts Festival 2026, the third biennial edition, takes place from 20–25 February 2026 at the Old GMC Complex, Panjim. The festival continues its commitment to supporting Goa-based practitioners through a mix of curated exhibitions and independently developed projects. This year's highlights include Threads through Time: Textile Art from Goa, What Remains: Lens-Based Work, developed in collaboration with MuseoCamera; and a special exhibition by Iranian-French artist Christine Khonjie. New programmes this year include the LiveBox, an immersive performance space featuring theatre, music, poetry, and a curated evening of queer performance art, along with expanded offerings for younger audiences through the Children’s Pavilion and Skate Park. Conceived as a platform for connection and collaboration, Goa Open Arts Festival 2026 invites visitors to experience a homegrown festival that reflects Goa’s evolving artistic landscape while fostering curiosity, participation, and shared cultural exchange.
How to Reach Panaji
1. By Air: Goa’s Dabolim Airport handles both domestic and international flights. Terminal 1 handles all domestic flights coming into Goa from major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata and Indore. All Indian carriers have regular flights operating to Goa. Once you get out of the airport, you can hire a taxi or arrange for a pick up to your destination. The airport is around 26 km from Panaji.
2. By Rail: There are two main train stations in Goa, Madgaon and Vasco-da-Gama. From New Delhi, you can catch the Goa Express to Vasco-da-Gama, and from Mumbai, you can take the Matsyagandha Express or the Konkan Kanya Express, which will drop you at Madgaon. Goa enjoys extensive rail connectivity with the rest of the country. The route is a soothing journey that takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Western Ghats.
3. By Road: Two major highways take you into Goa. If you’re travelling to Goa from Mumbai or Bengaluru, you will have to follow the NH 4. It is the most preferred way into Goa as it is wide and well-maintained. The NH 17 is the shortest route from Mangalore. The drive to Goa is a scenic route, especially during the monsoon. You can also catch a bus from Mumbai, Pune or Bengaluru. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) run regular buses to Goa.
Source: sotc.in
1. Carry light and airy cotton clothes as Goa in January tends to be warm.
2. Comfortable footwear for walking through markets, heritage areas, and festival venues.
3. A scarf or stole, useful for both protection against the sun and styling.
4. Sunscreen and sunglasses for UV protection.
5. A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated while you’re out exploring.
6. A tote bag or small backpack for carrying books, brochures, or local finds.
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