New Delhi: The Delhi government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the national capital into the country’s “creative capital,” announcing a packed schedule of more than 30 major Indian and international cultural events to be held over the next eighty days. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made the announcement on Thursday, outlining a detailed roadmap to boost the city’s live entertainment and cultural ecosystem.

Speaking at a press conference, Gupta said the government intends to develop world-class venues with state-of-the-art infrastructure capable of hosting large concerts and cultural programmes. To make Delhi an “event-friendly city,” the government has reduced rental rates at major stadiums and auditoriums while upgrading their facilities to international standards.

A new single-window system has also been launched to simplify event permissions, logistics, and security procedures — a move aimed at streamlining operations for organisers and promoting Delhi as a global entertainment hub.

Over the coming 80 days, Delhi will play host to a star-studded line-up featuring internationally acclaimed artists including American rapper Travis Scott and Senegalese-American singer Akon, along with popular Indian performers such as Krishna Das, Zakir Khan, Papon, AP Dhillon, Armaan Malik, Jonita Gandhi, and Radhika Das. Gupta also revealed that Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi is likely to visit the city in December.

The initiative, jointly undertaken by the Delhi government, the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), aims to celebrate cultural diversity and position Delhi as a vibrant global cultural destination. The campaign operates under the motto “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” (Heritage as well as Development), ensuring that every event meets high quality standards and provides a seamless experience for audiences.

Gupta described the “Concert Economy” as an emerging and significant sector deserving greater policy focus. She noted that organisers were once reluctant to hold large-scale events in Delhi due to the absence of adequate facilities and bureaucratic support. To address this, the government has reduced tariff rates at key venues, including Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium, National Stadium, Thyagaraj Stadium, and Chhatrasal Stadium, while simultaneously upgrading amenities to international levels.

India’s live entertainment industry is currently valued at around ₹150 billion, with Delhi’s contribution projected to reach between ₹2,500 crore and ₹3,000 crore in the coming years, according to the chief minister.

Gupta urged residents to prepare for the wave of cultural activity, saying the capital is ready to welcome visitors from across India and around the world.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra added that Chief Minister Gupta has developed a “solid and practical roadmap” to execute this vision, with a structured implementation process already underway to bring the transformation to life.