Meghana HarikumarBengaluru: Maya Bazaar is a joyful, in-person celebration of LGBTQIA+ life, creativity, and community. Created as a safe, affirming space for self-expression, it brings together queer folks, allies, families, and pets for two days of music, performance, shopping, conversations, and food. Over the years it has grown from a small marketplace to a city-scale festival that centres belonging and real economic opportunity for queer and allied creators. The 2025 theme, COME OUT, invites everyone to show up as they are, claim space, and connect.
What’s New and Unmissable in 2025
The marketplace expands to 150 plus stalls featuring queer, women, and ally-owned brands across fashion, art, ceramics, wellness, and lifestyle. Look for Aravani, House of KC, Scoby Labs, Hreem accessories, Teddy at Midnight, and first-time launches by Square Fruit and Soma pottery from Hyderabad.
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On Maya Manch, the all-women hip-hop collective Wild Wild Women leads a punchy lineup, sharing the stage with dazzling drag performers such as Kamani Sutra, Dark Fantasy, and Trixie Premaa, a tribal fusion belly dance show by Jishnu, a queer folk dance set by LehenGays, and a fusion concert by Purple Mints and Fruit Jam.
Panels cut through the noise to ask hard questions: From Pledge to Progress examines what has actually changed beyond promises, while Beyond Visibility explores who holds power, access, and decision-making when the rainbow lights turn off. Maya Khaya fuels the weekend with 15 plus food counters. Expect chaat, vada pav, Korean hot dogs, pretzels from Backer and Charlie, kombucha by Scoby Labs, coffee from Maverick and Farmer, and desserts from Aditi’s Café, La Petit Café, and Cake or Death.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Arrive early to explore limited-run drops and custom fits at the stalls. Keep an eye on the stage schedule for surprise collabs and crossover sets. Pace your food crawl with a kombucha pit stop and a sweet finish. Drop into the panel tent to add your voice to timely conversations on inclusion at work, in schools, and in public life. Bring your family and pets; the festival is designed to be welcoming and accessible.
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Event details: September 13 and 14, 2025
Time: 10 AM to 10 PM
Address: Jayamahal Palace Hotel Grounds, Bengaluru.
Tickets via Skillboxes.
Meghana Harikumar
Editor
