Mumbai is set to host the 19th edition of Sunburn, one of India’s largest electronic dance music festivals, with organisers unveiling a revamped format, a new venue and a refreshed creative vision for 2026. The festival will take place on December 18 and 19 at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, a centrally located venue known for hosting large-scale entertainment events in the city. The celebrations will conclude with a special closing party at the NSCI Dome on December 20. Organisers described this year’s edition as one of the festival’s most significant transformations, promising an upgraded experience for music lovers and electronic dance music enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.
According to the organisers, the decision to shorten the event into a two-day festival was taken to create a more focused and engaging experience for attendees. They stated that the revised structure would allow for tighter programming, smoother performance schedules and a more immersive atmosphere throughout the event. The concluding celebration at the NSCI Dome is expected to extend the festival’s energy beyond the primary venue. This year’s theme, “Awaken the Core”, reflects the festival’s attempt to move beyond visual spectacle and focus more on intensity, connection and the emotional depth of live music experiences, as highlighted in an official statement released by the organisers.
Mahalaxmi Racecourse has long been associated with some of Mumbai’s most memorable electronic music performances. Over the years, the venue has hosted globally recognised artists including Avicii during his early India performance in 2011, Swedish House Mafia in 2013 and Martin Garrix in 2016. More recently, the venue also welcomed a popular Keinemusik performance earlier this year. Ticket sales for Sunburn 2026 will begin through BookMyShow, with an exclusive pre-sale for RuPay Credit Card holders starting on May 14 at noon. A registered users’ pre-sale will open on May 16, while general ticket bookings for all audiences will commence on May 18 at noon.
Speaking about the upcoming edition, Sunburn CEO Karan Singh said the festival has consistently evolved over the years while keeping its audience at the centre of every decision. He noted that Sunburn has become a major cultural tradition within India’s music scene and said the 19th edition marks another step in its growth. Singh added that the decision to move the event to Mahalaxmi Racecourse and redesign the festival format was made with the aim of improving the overall fan experience. He emphasised that every change introduced this year is intended to create a more engaging, memorable and high-quality experience for festival attendees.