Lucknow: The excitement surrounding Times Garba Utsav 2026 has taken the city’s youth by storm, as it gears up for a grand celebration of dance, music, culture and entertainment. With the tagline ‘Jab Ekana Banega Garba Ka Maidan, To Jhoomegi Saari City!’ the city’s biggest Garba Utsav prepares to transform the iconic Ekana Football Stadium into a vibrant festive arena from Oct 16 to 18.Expected to attract over 10,000 enthusiasts, the three-day extravaganza will combine traditional festivities with fashion, shopping, automobiles, real estate, live performances and a culinary showcase featuring flavours from 15 states.The excitement is particularly evident among young people preparing their outfits, practising dance steps and planning outings with friends. “I have already started planning my outfits for all three days. Garba is about dressing up, meeting people and enjoying the festive vibe. Dancing with thousands of people at Ekana sounds amazing,” said Aarushi Verma, an IT college student.“We are practising Garba steps, coordinating our outfits and planning to enjoy every evening together. It is going to be our biggest festive outing of the year,” said Vibhuti Khand resident Rohan Srivastava, speaking on behalf of his group of friends.Preparation is gaining momentum among Garba enthusiasts. A corporate employee in Hazratganj, Nisha Patel, who is attending a practice session, said, “Initially, maintaining the rhythm was difficult, but regular practice has made us more confident. We cannot wait to perform together at such a grand venue.”Families, too, are looking forward to the celebrations. “We want our children to experience Indian traditions while enjoying music, dance and good food. It is wonderful to have an event where different generations can come together and create memories,” said Ankit and Neha Sharma from Mahanagar.Fashion and lifestyle will be major attractions, with traditional Garba outfits, colourful chaniya cholis, kediyus, jewellery and contemporary trends complementing the festive atmosphere. Visitors can also explore shopping opportunities and lifestyle brands.The automobile showcase will feature leading brands and their latest vehicles, while the real estate segment will bring together the city’s developers and premium residential and commercial property projects.The 15-state Food Fiesta will showcase regional delicacies and distinctive flavours from across India, offering visitors a diverse culinary experience.“We are excited to enjoy Garba, explore shopping stalls and sample cuisines from different states, all at one venue. It sounds like a perfect family outing,” said Priya Malhotra, a Gomti Nagar resident.Live music, energetic performances and celebrity entertainment will add to the festivities throughout the three-day celebration, creating an experience for visitors of all ages.
