Republic Day celebrations in Delhi-NCR are stepping outside parade grounds and official venues this year, as leading malls across the region curate special experiences that blend national pride with culture, music and community engagement. From flag hoistings and naval band performances to artisan showcases and fitness-led festivities, malls are emerging as vibrant spaces to mark January 26 in a more inclusive and engaging way.

DLF Mall of India, Noida, will begin its celebrations with a formal flag-hoisting ceremony involving mall management, staff and retail partners, underlining the theme of national unity. Adding to the patriotic mood, an SSB band performance on January 25 will energise visitors, while a tricolour-themed photo installation offers shoppers a chance to capture the spirit of the day.

At Gaur City Mall, Republic Day takes on a reflective and emotional tone with “Naye Bharat ki Nayi Udaan.” The celebrations will be led by Retd. Major General Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Indian Army, who will preside over the flag hoisting and address audiences. A special tribute to the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram will feature a 25-member children’s choir, followed by the national anthem. The evening concludes with Shaurya Utsav, a theatrical ballet that honours the courage and sacrifices of India’s soldiers through music, storytelling and dance.

Vegas Mall, Dwarka, sets the mood early with a Vande Mataram Naval Band performance on January 24. Held at the Central Piazza, the Indian Navy band will perform patriotic compositions in a tricolour-themed setting, creating a stirring prelude to Republic Day celebrations.

Cultural heritage takes centre stage at Ambience Mall, Gurugram and Vasant Kunj, with Dastaan-e-Bharat, a month-long showcase running until January 26, 2026. The festival brings together artisans and craftsmen from across India, presenting handlooms, handicrafts, jewellery, home décor and heritage products. Live demonstrations, folk music, dance performances, storytelling sessions and hands-on workshops offer visitors a deeper connection with India’s diverse traditions.

Meanwhile, Spectrum Metro Mall, Noida, is hosting a three-day Republic Day celebration from January 24 to 26, combining patriotism with fitness and high-energy performances. Kathak, patriotic Bollywood numbers, live bands, Zumba, Bhangra and artistic yoga sessions form the core of the programming, culminating in a flag-hoisting ceremony on Republic Day amid tricolour décor.

Overall, this Republic Day, Delhi-NCR malls are redefining how the national holiday is experienced. By combining culture, fitness, music and community participation, these retail spaces are turning into shared celebration zones—making Republic Day both meaningful and memorable for families and visitors alike

BLR Hubba is increasingly feeling less like a scheduled festival and more like a shared city rhythm. As the event enters its final stretch, audience turnout continues to grow, with Friday unfolding as one of the most layered and immersive days of the Hubba so far.

The day began on a reflective note at Alliance Française, where Futures Hubba hosted a full spectrum of conversations. Discussions moved seamlessly from geopolitics and diplomacy with Philip Green to futures literacy, feminist infrastructure, regenerative economics and ethical imagination. These ideas later found resonance in sound and performance, as Resonant Futures, an immersive transmedia set, closed the day on a contemplative, inward-looking note.

Across the city, BLR Hubba’s strength showed in how evenly its energy was distributed. In Malleshwaram, Hogona, the guided history and culture walk, encouraged participants to revisit familiar streets with renewed attention. VV Puram’s food walk once again underlined Bengaluru’s deep connection with culinary memory, drawing steady footfall through the evening.

Long-format engagement remained a key feature of the day. At Sabha, workshops such as The Fool: Presence, Play & Poetic Clownfusion held participants through extended sessions, while Freedom Park stayed visually alive from morning to night with art installations that continued to evolve as audiences moved through the space.

Friday evening brought a strong theatre and music spine to the programme. The Nether by Aasakta Kalamanch, Pune, held audiences at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, while Shoorpanakha: A Search at NGMA offered a quieter, introspective counterpoint. Folk traditions travelled across regions, from Bengal’s Ruuh-Bakhsh at Freedom Park to Karnataka’s own classical and theatrical forms presented at the Indian Heritage Academy, IIWC, Yuvapatha and ADA Rangamandira. Kannada performances, in particular, ran deep into the evening, grounded and assured.

As night settled in, anticipation built steadily at Freedom Park. Audiences gathered early at the Watch Tower for The Manganiyar Seduction, one of the most awaited performances of this year’s Hubba, transforming folk music into a collective, almost ritual experience.

With Friday behind it, BLR Hubba now moves into its final two days, coinciding with the long weekend beginning January 24  traditionally the festival’s most attended phase.

Saturday opens early with heritage walks through Cantonment and Ulsoor, followed by a packed day of workshops, drawing sessions and neighbourhood trails. By evening, Freedom Park once again becomes the musical anchor, moving from Reimagining the Jazz Standard to Echoes of Shakti, and culminating in Resist the Erosion, a world premiere that closes the Watch Tower stage late into the night.

Dance takes centre stage across venues, from Stand-Up Natyam at Panchavati and Pi Thadoi at NGMA to Footprints in Blood and a post-10 pm midnight dance gathering at Sabha. Kannada programming continues to hold strong through theatre, music and talks at Yuvapatha, Indian Heritage Academy and IIWC, while Rasthe Hubba spills into neighbourhood streets across Mahadevpura and Panduranga Nagar through the afternoon and evening.

With only two days left, BLR Hubba now feels less like an itinerary and more like a lived experience, one that rewards lingering, wandering and staying back just a little longer.

Full programme details and passes are available on the BLR Hubba website.

The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the onboarding of Tree of Life Sariska Manor in Tehla, Rajasthan. The property joins the group as a conversion project under the Tree of Life brand.

Commenting on the development, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – New Businesses and Hotel Openings, IHCL, said, “Sariska, nestled in the lap of nature offers guests an accessible getaway to experience the relaxed pace of life.We are delighted to welcome Sariska Manor into the Tree of Life brand. This resort, a well-established landmark in the destination embodies the brand ethos, with a design that harmonizes seamlessly with its natural surroundings and the rich cultural fabric of the region."

Located in Tehla, the setting reflects the legacy of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and serves as a natural entry point to one of Rajasthan’s most diverse ecological zones. Tree of Life Sariska Manor features 26 rooms, designed to offer guests a calm and immersive stay connected to the surrounding landscape.

The resort’s culinary offerings include Antler’s, the indoor multi-cuisine restaurant, The Sparrows, an open-air dining space that embraces the natural setting, and Leopard’s Lair, a lounge designed for quiet and unhurried evenings. Recreational facilities at the property include a swimming pool and spa, along with cycling trails, nature walks, and visits to nearby cultural sites. These experiences allow guests to explore the region’s natural and historic layers at a relaxed pace.

With this addition, IHCL continues to strengthen its Tree of Life portfolio, focusing on destinations that offer a strong sense of place, nature-led experiences, and thoughtfully designed stays.