Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani's Sruthi Laya Kendra hosts its38th Winter Music Festival on Dec 27, 2025 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Mini Hall. A series of concerts by Musicians Living Abroad is also hosted on Dec 23, 2025.
Schedule: (Click on the image for full schedule)
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If you learn or know to appreciate Carnatic music, here is an opportunity to listen to concerts and lec-dems and write about them.
Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, one of the oldest sabhas in Chennai, publishes its in-house newsletter 'Sangeeth Sarathy' during the December music season. The newsletter is published twice a week and features the concerts, artistes and lec-dems held at the sabha.
Students of music and rasikas with good writing skills are invited to be part of the newsletter.
If interested, mail to sangeethsarathy@gmail.com with details about your learning music and interest in writing.
View / Read the previous year issues here: https://parthasarathyswamisabha.com/2023/12/16/sangeeth-sarathy-issues-isai-vizha-2023-2024/
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The Chennai Music Season has always been as exhilarating as it is overwhelming. With hundreds of concerts spread across sabhas, temples, and cultural spaces, rasikas have traditionally depended on printed reconers and word-of-mouth to plan their listening. For nearly four decades, S. Kannan’s Season Reconer served as an indispensable guide, becoming almost synonymous with the December season itself. His passing left a palpable void.
Filling this long-felt gap, iCarnatic.org has now come forward with a comprehensive and thoughtfully curated Chennai Music Season Concert Calendar, compiled by noted musician K.N. Shashikiran.
The calendar is available in two formats:
- A digital version, hosted on the iCarnatic website, offering easy access to concert information across sabhas.
- A pocket-sized physical calendar, designed as a handy carry-on guide for rasikas on the move.
What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is its accessibility. The printed pocket calendar is being distributed free of cost and is available for pick-up at various sabhas during the season. In a time when information is often fragmented across social media posts and messaging groups, this consolidated effort brings back the joy of browsing a single, reliable reference.
For veteran rasikas, this calendar will evoke memories of Kannan’s reconer tucked into handbags and pockets. For younger listeners, it serves as an excellent introduction to navigating the season with intention rather than chance.
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Organised by lalitha Jewellery, Jyothi Indira Margazhi Yuvautsav will be held from Dec 18, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026
Open to rasikas.
Venue: Jyothi Indira Thirumana Mandapam, Valasaravakkam, Chennai 87
Schedule: (Click on the image for a larger picture)
VVS Foundation, SaMaa Arts and Raghavendra Swami Mutt, Mylapore organise Ekaantha Sangeetha Seva morning concerts from Dec 16, 2025 to Jan 14, 2026
The concerts will be held early morning from 6.30 to 7.30 a.m. in oil lamp-lit ambience.
Venue: Srikara Anjaneya Raghavendra Swami Mutt, 8, Salai Street (Near R R Sabha) Mylapore.
Schedule: (Click on the images for larger picture)
VVS Foundation, SaMaa Arts & Raghavendra Swami Mutt, Mylapore organise Swagatham festival throughout Margazhi till Jan 4, 2026
Venue: Srikara Anjaneya Raghavendra Swami Sannidhanam, 8, Salai Street, Mylapore, Chennai
Open to all.
Schedule: (Click on the image to view full schedule)
Carnatica & Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha jointly organise Paddhathi Music Fest from Dec 23 to 31, 2026 and from Jan 2 to 11, 2026.
Venue: Desiga Vidya Bhavanam, 27, Venkatesa Agraharam Road, Mylapore, Chennai
Admission to concerts is free.
Schedule: (Click on the images for full schedule)
The Partha Parampara Music Series hosted by Sri Parthasarathy Swamy sabha will be held from Dec. 8 to 12, 2025. Many up and coming talents are featured at this series.
Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Mini Hall, East Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai
Admission to the concerts are free.
Schedule: (Click on the image for larger picture)
Sunaadalahari, Musical wing of Indira Ranganathan Trust hosts its December Music Season in a Garden with lamp-lit silhouttes.
Venue: Indira Ranganathan Trust, 52, C.P. Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai.
Reserved seats are chargeable. For Season /Donor pass, Contact +91 9344535941
Walk-ins will be free and accommodated if seats remain, on a first-come basis.
Schedule: (Click on the image for full schedule)
The 125th year December Music Festival at Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha as lecture-Demonstrations sessions daily at 8.30 a.m.
The sessions are free to attend.
Venue: Vidya Bharathi, Bheemasena Garden Road, Mylapore, Chennai
Schedule: (Click on the image for larger picture)
The 7th annual Music Festival of Gayatri Fine Arts Global will be held from Dec 22 to 28, 2025
Venue: Sri Krishna Saras Hall, 6, 124-C PS Sivaswamy Salai, Mylapore, Chennai
Admission to concerts is free.
Schedule: (Click on the image to view the full schedule)
The 125th year Isai Vizha December Music Festival of Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha will be held from Dec 16, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2025.
Venue: Vidya Bharathi, 55 Bheemasena Garden Road, Mylapore, Chennai.
The evening concerts are ticketed. The tickets can be purchased at the venue and online at https://mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/OrganizerLandingPage?ci=101&r_id=2304
The sabha organises Sanskriti Utsav from Dec 19 to 30, 2025. Two concerts at 4.30pm and 6.45 pm are held every day. Admission to these concerts are free.
The venue is : The Madras Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai.
To mark the special occasion of the 125th year, a commemorative festival is held on Jan 2 to 5, 2026 at Narada Gana Sabha Hall, Alwarpet, Chennai
Schedules of all the events of Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha here : (Click on the images to view the full schedule)
This year's theme for the Sruti & The Music Forum's LecDem Mela is 'Sangeetha Kathamrutham.
The two-day lecdem series will be held at Arkay Convention Centre, Mylapore, Chennai.
Schedule: (Click on the image for a larger picture)
The edition3 of Kauvery Hospital's Margazhi Maha Utsavam is on from Dec 5 to 14, 2025
Venue: Kauvery Hospitals, Ground Floor, Vadapalani, Chennai.
Contact for enquiries: +91 98409 86146
Schedule: (Click on the image for larger picture)
The 2025-26 Isai Natya Nataka Vizha of Narada Gana Sabha will be held from Dec 13 to Jan 1, 2026
The Pre-Music Festival concerts are on from Dec 1 , 2025 to Dec 12, 2025
Thiruppavai Upanyasam by Kidambi Sri Narayanan will be held daily at 7.15 a.m. from Dec 16, 2025 to Jan. 14, 2026.
The evening programmes are ticketed. Tickets can be purchased at the venue as well as online at - https://mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/OrganizerLandingPage?ci=101&r_id=2400
Schedule: (Click on the image for full schedule)
Sale of Season tickets at the Music Academy opens today and will be on till Dec 10, 2025.
Online tickets are also open at https://musicacademymadras.in/99th-annual-concerts-2025/
The annual music festival of Chennai Fine Arts will be held from Dec 21 to 30, 2025.
Venue: Srinivasa Sastri Hall, Luz, Chennai
Admission to all concerts is free.
Schedule: (Click on the image to view full schedule)
The 46th Isai Iyal and Nataka Vizha followed by 36th Bharatham Festival of Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha will be held from Dec 9, 2025 to Jan 31, 2026
Venue: Vani Mahal, G N Road, T Nagar, Chennai
The concerts at 6.30 pm are ticketed. Daily and season tickets can be purchased from https://www.vanimahal.com/ and https://mdnd.in/
Schedule: (Click on the image for full schedule)
The 51st Year Art Festival of Kartik Fine Arts will be held from Dec 1 2025 to Jan.. 3, 2026
Venue:
Narada Gana Sabha Hall - From Dec 1 to 12, 2025
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Hall - From Dec 13, 2025 to Jan 3, 2026
Evening concerts are ticketed. Season tickets and daily tickets can be purchased at the venues as well as online at https://mdnd.in
Schedule: (Click on the image for full schedule)
The 12th year annual Margazhi Music and Dance Mela of TTVV Trust, TVP School & Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival will take place from Dec. 23, 2025 to Jan 1, 2026
Venue: Tattavaloka Hall, Eldams Road, Teynampet, Chennai (From Dec 23 - 29, 2026
On Jan 1, 2026, the events will be held at Arkay Convention Centre, OMS Lakshana, Royapettah High Road, Mylapore, Chennai
On Dec 24, 2025, Tiruvarur Rajagopala Iyer Memorial Award will be presented to Dr. T V Gopalakrishnan.
Schedule: (Click on the image to view full schedule)
The 37th Margazhi mahotsav celebrates the birth cntenary of Dr. Mrs. YG Parthasarathy. The 36-day arts festival has music concerts, dance programmes and drama events.
Venue: Sri YGP Auditproum, 17, Tirumalai Road, T. Nagar, Chennai
The events are ticketed and tickets can be purchased online at - https://mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/OrganizerLandingPage?ci=101&r_id=2324
Schedule: (Click on the image for viewing full schedule)
A month-long December Music Festival of Naada Inbam will be held from Dec 2, 205 to Jan 6, 2026.
The concerts dedicated to the memory of the founder of Naada Inbam, S. V Krishnan, the concerts will include those hosted by various other organisations integrated into the festival.
Venue: Ragasudha Hall, 85/2, Luz Avenue, Mylapore, Chennai
The concerts are free to attend. Support by way of donations are welcome. Donations exempted under Sec. 80G of I.T. Act.
Cheques may be drawn win favour of “Naada Inbam Public Charitable Trust”,
Contact: Convener: K. Jayalakshmi, Mobile: +91 99401 97993, Email: naadainbam@gmail.com
Schedule: (Click on the image to view the full schedule)
The 69th Margazhi Mela of Krishna Gana Sabha will be held from Dec 12, 2025 to Jan 3, 2026
Venue: Krishna Gana Sabha, 20, Maharajapuram Santhanam Salai, T. Nagar, Chennai -17
Evening programmes are tickets and tickets can be putchased at - https://tikkl.com/krishnaganasabha/c/margazhimela2025
Schedule: (Click on the image to view the full schedule)
Carnatica & Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha organise Global Heritage Music Fest from Dec 13 - 22, 2025
Venue: Sri Sankara Vidhyashramam Mat. Hr. Sec. School. 1, Kamaraj Nagar 6th Street, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600041
Tickets can be purchased at - https://mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/OrganizerLandingPage?ci=101&r_id=30992
Schedule: (Click on the images for larger pictures)
The 93rd year of The Indian Fine Arts Society's music Festicval will be held from Dec 17 to 31, 2025
Venue: Ethiraja Kalyana Nilayam, 87, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 18
Evening programmes at 4.30 pm and 7 pm are ticketed. Tickets can be booked at https://mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/OrganizerLandingPage?ci=101&r_id=2315
Schedule: Click on the image to view the full schedule
This year's Margazhi mela of Sastra Satsangh will be held from Dec 16, 2025 to Jan 13, 2025.
Venue: SASTRA Chennai Campus. AVM Road Behind AVM Thetare), Vadapalani. Chennai.
Admission is free. On forst come first serve basis.
Schedule: (Click on the image for a larger picture)
The 26th Year Margazhi maha Utsavam of Maximum Media & Ragamalika TV will be held from Dec 1 to 10, 2025.
Venue: Hamsadhwani, Youth Hostel Auditorium, Indira Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020
Admission free. However seating is on first come first serve basis.
The concerts will be telecast on Star Vijay later from Dec 16, 2025
Schedule: (Click on the image for large picture)
The academic sessions of the Annual Conference at The Music Academy will be held from Dec 16, to 31, 2025. On Jan. 1, 2026, an Open House is held. All these sessions start at 8.00 am everyday.
This year's theme is Muthuswami Dikshitar 250, commemorating Dikshitar's 250th birth anniversary.
Admission is open to all on first come first serve basis.
Venue: Kastuni Srinivasan Hall, The Music Academy
Schedule: (Click on the image to view a larger picture)
The 72nd annual Art Festival of Kalakshetra will be hosted from Dec 19 to 28. 2025.
Venue: Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium, Kalakshetra Campus, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 41
Tickets are sold at MDnD here - https://www.mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/OrganizerLandingPage?ci=101&r_id=2420
The Schedule: (Click on the image for larger picture)
The 99th annual conference and concerts of The Music Academy will take place from Dec 16, 2025 to Jan 1, 2026.
A.R. Rahman, well-known music composer will the chief guest of the inauguration.
Dr. N. Rajam, eminent violinist will preside over the Sadas on Jan. 1, 2026.
This year, the Music Academy has announced the sale of tickets through online also. Both the physical and online sale will take place at the Music Academy and online at https://musicacademymadras.in simultaneously on Dec 2 at 9 a.m.
The Schedule: (Click on the images for larger pictures)
The 31st Fine Arts Festival of Mudhra will be held from Dec 1 , 2025 to Dec 21, 2025.
The festival hosted since 1995 by the musician couple Dr Radha and Bhaskar has been held during December every year since then.
Since the past few years, the festival is recorded and streamed online on Paalam TV (www.paalamtv.com) and on YouTube Channel.
The streaming is free to watch. However, Mudhra invites rasikas to be a part of 'Joy of Giving' by way of donations, which would support artist remuneration and production cost.
The inauguration of the festival will be held on Dec 1, 2025 at Vani Mahal Mini Hall, GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar, Chennai 17 at 5 pm. The award ceremony will be followed by the violin concert of Kum. A Kanyakumari with her disciple, along with Patri Satish Kumar (Mridangam), Anirudh Athreya (Kanjira).
From Dec 2, 2025, the concerts will be webstreamed at PaalamTV.
Schedule: (Click on the image to view a large picture)
The theme for this year's Charsur Arts Foundation December Season Music Festival is Rama Nama - a divine Mantra
The concerts will be held at Sri Ramanujar Millennium Hall, 5A, D'Silva Road, Mylapore, Chennai
The concerts are ticketed and the the tickets are available at https://www.mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/OrganizerLandingPage?ci=101&r_id=23865
Schedule: (Click on the image to see a large picture)
Please check the calendar on this page to add to your calendar! - https://www.chennaidecemberseason.com/p/concert-calendar.html
As the air turns crisp and the scent of jasmine mingles with the bustle of Mylapore’s Mada streets, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan quietly opens its doors to rasikas, heralding the start of the Chennai Music Season. For many, this is not just a concert series - it is a ritual, a return to the familiar hall and people.
Every year, beginning in the third week of November, Bhavan’s concert series sets the tone for the season ahead. This thoughtful scheduling allows the organisation to offer its premises to other sabhas during the peak Margazhi weeks.
The Bhavan’s hall is a haven for music lovers - cozy and welcoming. There are no tickets, no barriers. Anyone strolling through the vibrant lanes of Mylapore can simply step in and be enveloped by the sounds of Carnatic music, performed by seasoned artistes and rising stars alike.
This year, the Bhavan’s Margazhi Mahotsav begins on November 20 and continues through December 12, 2025. With concerts that are free and open to all, it is an invitation to experience music unhurried.
Schedule: (Click on the image to view a larger image)
Nestled in the heart of Mylapore, the Arkay Convention Centre has quietly blossomed into a beloved sanctuary for music lovers. With its intimate acoustics and welcoming ambience, this charming hall plays host to concerts all through the year, drawing rasikas and artistes into its embrace.
At the helm of many of these soulful gatherings is Mr. Ramakrishnan, a passionate connoisseur and tireless patron of the arts. Through his initiative Madhuradhwani, he curates series of performances, including a special annual festival that marks the anniversary of the hall’s founding.
This year, Arkay celebrates a significant milestone - 15 years of musical magic. To commemorate the occasion, a special anniversary concert series will be held from November 21 to December 6, 2025. As always, the concerts are open to all rasikas, with no ticketed entry. Contributions to support the series are welcome and appreciated.
Venue: Arkay Convention Centre, Royapettah High Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600004
Schedule: (Click on the image for a larger image)
As the year slowly winds down and the chill sets in, Chennai begins to hum with anticipation!
The city's most loved December Music Season is almost here - a time when sabhas and stages come alive, streets echo with ragas and dance takes centre stage in auditoriums and temple courtyards alike.
From early morning lecture-demonstrations to evenibg concerts to late evening dances, the season offers a dazzling array of performances. Carnatic music concerts, Bharatanatyam recitals, thematic showcases and experimental collaborations - there is something for every kind of art lover. Many events are free to attend, welcoming anyone with a curious ear and a devoted heart. Most evening big concerts are ticketed and sale of passes has begun, with rasikas booking their favourites well in advance.
Whether you are a seasons connoisseur or a first time visitor, the December season is more than just a festival of music! Every performance tells a story and brings back memories of the past seasons!
So, if you are planning to be in Chennai this December, keep your mornings tuned and evenings free to hop across venues for kutcheris. The city is ready to sing, dance and celebrate - and you are invited!
Here are a few links to buy season tickets - https://www.mdnd.in/SeasonTickets/
The Music academy has also planned for online sale of tickets from this year, according to their news release.
Get ready to enjoy the season!
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