While art spills across the capital’s flyovers and hidden alleyways, there’s a distinct magic in stepping off the pavement and into a gallery. These aren’t the ‘invite-only’ fortresses they used to be – today’s galleries are open, breathing spaces designed for everyone to linger and connect.
The real secret to a curated afternoon? The art cluster. Just as the Lodhi Art District offers a marathon of murals, neighborhoods like Lado Sarai, Defence Colony, and Okhla serve as creative hubs where galleries sit side by side. This proximity lets you drift from one exhibition to the next in a single stroll, making it easier than ever to dive deep into the city’s evolving art scene and meet the community behind the canvas over the weekends.
‘Galleries function as vibrant cultural forums’
To cater to this growing art scene in Delhi, Pristine Contemporary gallery owners Arjun Bhutani and Arjun Sawhney started the Defence Colony Galleries Association, which has been curating Def Col Art Night, with 10 galleries on board. On the third Thursday of every month, all the galleries stay open till 9pm, with two to three galleries hosting show openings too. “Art galleries are increasingly functioning as vibrant cultural forums. They are no longer confined to the quiet display of objects,” says Bhutani. Not only are these spaces becoming more inclusive, but they are also enabling dialogue. “The once austere white cube has become porous, accommodating voice, sound, and debate. The contemporary gallery space is expanding, and that expansion feels not only welcome, but necessary,” Bhutani says.
‘Such crawls build access to art for a larger audience’
Anica Mann, gallery director at Method, Defence Colony, which showcases only emerging artists, says, “Gallery clusters exist around the world, and for it to happen in Delhi is a great step – it feeds into the artists. It is important to create a sense of community among the new generation of collectors. For that, a grounded experience of the arts, leaning into the contemporary, is important.”
Giving an example of Mumbai Art Weekend that started in 2012, Ranjana Steinruecke of Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke in Defence Colony says, “Such nights and crawls are a great way for people to get their first exposure to the arts. Art crawls fill the gap that has existed in the city for so long. Art shows were very formal, based on invitations. These avenues build access to art for a larger audience.”
Bhavna Kakar, owner of Latitude 28, says, “People love planning their evenings around this experience. So art galleries are not forbidding places anymore—they are inclusive. The Def Col Art Night is creating a culture where people are drawn to galleries beyond existing collectors.” She adds, “Galleries are also doubling up as spaces where performing artistes are invited to engage with art. We’ve hosted a tappe night during a Phulkari exhibit, and even a culinary artist created dishes inspired by the show.”
“The contemporary art here is amazing to see, and it introduces new people and the new generation to art,” says Ajit Singh, who recently experienced gallery hopping in Defence Colony. Adding to the atmosphere are music and performances. “The energy, the vibe, the art must be in sync,” says Hamza Rahimtula, who was playing at a gallery during a show opening. “The set depends a lot on the artist and the music should accentuate the work.”
‘It's a curiosity-driven movement’
What starts as a few friends drifting between galleries often snowballs into a vibrant crowd and by the final stop, the trail transforms into a moving social hub as strangers become friends. “It is a great way to meet new people. It is also interesting to see how different galleries put up different shows,” says Mira Dhall, an aspiring artist who has done gallery hopping both in Delhi and Mumbai. “Hopping through multiple galleries in one evening gave me a sense of different discourses at different galleries,” says Divjyot Singh, an attendee and curator. “It brings a lot of awareness to people. Around me were students, contemporary artists, and people just wanting to experience something new. Being in a cohort and going from one place to another, you end up discovering new artists, new practices, and things you might like.”
“Art crawls in Lado Sarai have evolved into a vibrant, organic culture where both formats coexist,” says Sumit Thakur, founder of Divine Art Gallery in Lado Sarai, adding, “On one hand, there’s a natural curiosity-driven movement, with people hopping from one gallery to another. On the other hand, galleries are informally aligning their openings and events to create a more cohesive experience. This blend of spontaneity and collaboration is what makes the circuit dynamic.” At these events, people discuss the art over drinks and bite-sized snacks in one gallery, and the discussion continues as they walk to the next.
Where to gallery hop
- Defence Colony: Think of this as the city’s most structured art crawl. Visit on the third Thursday for Def Col Art Night, when galleries stay open late and openings overlap.
- Lado Sarai: A compact, walkable hub for contemporary art. Best explored at your own pace over a weekend.
- Okhla: For a more experimental circuit, where large-format shows and studio-like settings shape a different viewing experience.
- Central Delhi (Connaught Place & around): An easy, accessible cluster. Begin with NGMA, Bikaner House and nearby cultural spaces like Triveni Kala Sangam, then build your trail paired with a meal or coffee break.
- Lodhi Art District: Pair indoor and outdoor art. Walk through murals at Lodhi, then head to nearby galleries, say in IHC.
