Urban festivals of arts, crafts, and music foster inclusion, expression, and acceptance of the diverse threads of cultures and professions, which a metropolis like Mumbai thrives on. These events break down barriers of cooped-up spaces and bring joy and hope to the masses. Here are five fiestas Mumbaiites enjoy every winter, and now you can too  

India Art Festival

Founded in 2011 and held in January, the India Art Festival is a contemporary art fair with events in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Every year, all those who indulge in art by creating it, showcasing, buying, and selling it come together for dialogue and collaborations. The gathering provides opportunities for new and independent artists as well as galleries.

Come February, the streets of Kala Ghoda will transform into workshop areas, theatre, and dance stages, while the restaurants of the area will curate their menus accordingly. It is one of the country's largest multicultural arts, crafts, urban design, and architecture fetes. Kala Ghoda, the area, is amid a plethora of culture preservers, such as the Jehangir Art Gallery, Max Mueller Bhavan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya, National Gallery of Modern Art, Institute of Science, Bombay Natural History Society, Elphinstone College, and the David Sassoon Library.  

Every November, three days of live stellar jazz music is the treat the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) gives to music lovers of Mumbai. Highly awarded Musicians from across the world come together to create some soul-touching jazz.  

Held in November, most theatre enthusiasts look forward to the famed Prithvi Theatre annual gala. It was held first in 1983, and since then, it has maintained its position in Mumbai's event calendar. The focus of Prithvi is different each year. In the past, it has focused on local groups, Indian and world theatre, and in other years, it has been music.  

The Independence Rock Festival, or I-Rock, has roared harder every year it has returned. Held in November, India's rock and metal mega-event has continued to shake the stage since 1986. There was a lull there after 2013 however, it was back with a bang to break the mould this year. Get ready for the return of the legends next year.