C.O.R.E 2026 pop-culture festival opens in Mumbai with themed zones, cosplay and music

C.O.R.E 2026 Kicks Off! Here's Everything You Can Do At India's Biggest Two-Day Pop Festival This Weekend

Mumbai is about to become a playground for geeks, gamers, music lovers, anime fans and pop-culture obsessives. After months of anticipation, the Culture Of Real Experiences (C.O.R.E.) 2026 is finally here, and if the preview night was anything to go by, the city is in for a weekend full of popculture takeover.Star-studded first lookHeld at the Jio World Convention Centre on June 19, the curtain-raiser offered an exciting first look at what India's first large-scale official pop-culture festival has in store. Celebrities including Punit Malhotra, Jackie Shroff, Ashnoor Kaur, Sayani Gupta and Tarun Virwani walked the red carpet as beloved characters roamed the venue, instantly turning the evening into a celebration of fandom.India's Biggest Pop Festival Is Here! C.O.R.E 2026 Set To Bring Music, Fashion & Anime Under One RoofThe energy only grew stronger as rapper YoHighness took over the stage, followed by a thrilling live sumo wrestling showcase that drew cheers from the audience. The night culminated with a 90-minute set by AminJaz, leaving attendees buzzing with excitement ahead of the main event.What you can experience hereC.O.R.E. aims to transform fan culture from something people watch into something they actively experience. Spread across five immersive themed zones, the two-day festival brings together global franchises, creators, collectors, artists and communities under one roof.Anime enthusiasts can head straight to Tokyo Street, packed with manga, cosplay, collectibles and Japanese pop-culture experiences. Multiverse Street is designed for superhero and sci-fi lovers, featuring larger-than-life cinematic worlds and fantasy universes.For fans of homegrown stories, India Gully explores mythology, storytelling, space-tech and emerging Indian creators who are reshaping pop culture. Meanwhile, Mixtape blends music, sneakers, sports and street culture into one vibrant hub, while Kids Cosmos promises magical moments with toys, beloved characters and interactive experiences for families.The festival also features official merchandise drops, creator meet-ups, cosplay championships, screenings, gaming experiences and endless photo opportunities.And when the sun goes down, C.O.R.E. turns into a music festival. Day one will see performances by Ritviz, W.I.S.H. and Onempire Band, while day two ups the ante with Karan Kanchan, AminJaz and electronic music powerhouse Nucleya.Event Details:Date: June 20 and June 21, 2026 | 100 am onwardsVenue: Jio World Convention Centre, BKC Cost: ₹1,299 onwards

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India's Biggest Pop Festival Is Here! C.O.R.E 2026 Set To Bring Music, Fashion & Anime Under One Roof

If your playlists jump from anime openings to Bollywood bangers, if your room has superhero posters next to sneakers, or if cosplay, comics and concerts are your idea of a perfect weekend, Mumbai has something massive lined up for you.This weekend, the city will host C.O.R.E. aka Culture Of Real Experiences, India’s first large-scale official pop-culture festival that aims to bring every fandom imaginable under one roof. Scheduled for June 20 and 21 at the Jio World Convention Centre, the two-day extravaganza promises to turn fan culture into a fully immersive experience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Muse India (@museacg_in) Five streets, countless universesAt the heart of the festival are five themed zones, each catering to a different side of pop culture.Tokyo Street is where anime lovers can dive into manga, cosplay, collectibles and everything inspired by Japanese pop culture. Then comes Multiverse Street, a paradise for superhero and sci-fi fans, packed with cinematic worlds, fantasy universes and larger-than-life experiences.Mumbai This Weekend: From The Vegan India Conference, Aakash Gupta's Stand-Up Show, T20 Matches & Top Events You Can't MissFor those who love homegrown stories, India Gully celebrates Indian creativity through mythology, storytelling, space-tech innovations and emerging creators shaping the country’s pop-culture scene.Meanwhile, Mixtape blends music, sneakers, sports and street culture, creating a vibrant space for fans who live and breathe trends. And for families, Kids Cosmos offers toys, beloved characters and interactive experiences designed to delight both children and nostalgic adults, including Kidzee and Nickelodeon characters. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Culture Of Real Experiences (@corefandom) Cosplay, characters & creator meet-upsThe festival isn’t just about walking through themed zones. Visitors can expect exclusive merchandise drops, screenings, creator meet-ups, photo opportunities and cosplay championships.Popular characters from Kidzee and Nickelodeon will make appearances, while fans can catch Spider-Man Live in Action, the Supergirl trailer showcase, and special sessions hosted by Crunchyroll.The lineup also features conversations around AI and filmmaking, live voiceover performances and even an arm-wrestling showcase by the Pro Panja League. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Culture Of Real Experiences (@corefandom) Music lineup highlightsAs the sun sets, C.O.R.E transforms into a music festival. Day 1 will feature performances by Ritviz, W.I.S.H., and Onempire Band, while Sunday raises the energy further with sets by Karan Kanchan, Aminjaz, and electronic music powerhouse Nucleya.Whether you’re an anime enthusiast, a comic-book nerd, a sneakerhead or simply someone who loves discovering new experiences, C.O.R.E 2026 is shaping up to be one of Mumbai’s most exciting cultural events of the year.

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