When people hear “literature festival,” they imagine endless author talks, polite applause, and shelves of books. Sounds nice, but let’s be honest — it also sounds a little boring.
Now flip that image. Picture a stage buzzing with live music, food stalls serving Nagpur’s best street eats, kids battling it out in art competitions, theatre performances shaking up the crowd, and workshops where you actually get your hands dirty. That’s what the Orange City Literature Festival (OCLF) looks like.
And here’s the kicker: it’s not just a lit fest. It’s basically Nagpur’s very own food, music, art, and culture carnival - which is why people are already calling it the vibe of the season. Search “Nagpur food festival ,” and you’ll see OCLF pop up - because this year, food is as big a star as books.
Food That Tells a Story
If you thought a lit fest only feeds the brain, think again. OCLF also feeds your stomach — and it does it in style.
The festival ground turns into a full-on Nagpur food festival 2025 with stalls lined up selling local street snacks, desserts, and cool beverages. In 2024, guidelines for stalls openly listed “Local Food, Street Food, Desserts, Beverages” — so expect that same buzzing food court energy in 2025.
And it’s not just about munching. OCLF has actually run food workshops too. Chef Shruti Jain once led a session on artisanal food production, diving into how traditional food crafts like cheese-making are coming back in vogue. That’s not just tasty — that’s culture on a plate.
So yes, come for the books, but don’t leave without a plate in hand.
Music That Sets the Mood
Books feed the mind, but music feeds the vibe. OCLF understands this better than most.
Lastyear, the festival featured a Hindustani classical concert by Devaki Pandit, and the night crowd went silent in awe. In 2023, a live set by the band RAHA had the lawns buzzing. And if you’re into Bollywood nostalgia, OCLF has hosted full sessions on “The Eternal Magic of Bollywood Music,” breaking down the hits that defined decades.
Even the opening ceremonies often start with a Kathak dance performance — setting the cultural tone before a single word is spoken. This isn’t background music; it’s the heartbeat of the festival.
Art Beyond the Page
Think literature is just about writing? OCLF makes sure art is everywhere.
Every year, kids and teens take part in drawing and painting competitions, with categories for ages 5–20. In 2024, the theme was “Bring Your Storybook Characters to Life,” and the creativity was insane. Winners walked away with cash prizes and bragging rights.
But that’s not all. OCLF is famous for its eco-friendly Ganesh idol-making workshop. Picture kids and adults sculpting their own clay idols - no toxic plaster, just hands in the mud, stories forming in clay. That’s literature translated into art you can touch.
Add to that creative writing workshops, DIY craft sessions, even junk art - and suddenly, OCLF feels like an art studio as much as a lit fest.
Theatre, Drama, and Performance
If you think OCLF is about people sitting still and listening, think again.
The festival actively brings theatre to the stage. In fact, in 2025 OCLF is backing Stagecraft Theatre’s one-act plays, including Chekhov’s The Bear and Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter. Last year, director Vikash Khurana ran a theatre workshop where participants literally got up and acted — no passive audiences there.
Theatre at OCLF isn’t a side show. It’s another way of telling stories. One through words, another through performance. Both hit equally hard.
Kids, Schools, and Fun Activities
OCLF doesn’t just entertain grown-ups. It’s a playground for kids too.
In past years, kids have had financial literacy sessions, creative writing classes, and live storytelling with children’s authors. Imagine a room where kids are shouting out alternate endings to a story — that’s the kind of energy you get.
And then there are the competitions. Drawing contests, chess workshops with Grandmaster Swapnil Dhopade, art-on-the-lawn activities - it’s like a cultural Olympics for kids. Parents love it because it’s educational. Kids love it because it’s fun. Win-win.
The Festival Vibe: Stalls, Games, and Insta Moments
Here’s the underrated part: OCLF’s vibe.
It’s not just talks and halls. It’s the marketplace outside — stalls with crafts, merchandise, books, and food. It’s the interactive displays and lawn activities where you stumble into something unexpected, like a giant chessboard or a quirky art installation.
And let’s be honest — it’s also about the Insta-friendly moments. Festival corners are designed for selfies: book-themed murals, art corners, even the clay idols people make in workshops. For Gen Z and millennials, OCLF is basically content gold.
OCLF 2025: What’s Bigger This Year
So what’s in store for the 7th edition? Plenty.
- Ganesh idol workshop: confirmed. Eco-friendly, hands-on, and perfect for kids and families.
- Theatre collab: OCLF is backing Stagecraft Theatre performances with live music.
- Sports-meets-literature session: with badminton legend Pullela Gopichand.
- Music + food stalls: expect the grounds to feel more like a carnival than a conference.
Basically, OCLF 2025 isn’t just about literature — it’s Nagpur’s very own food, art, music, and cultural festival.
Conclusion: Why OCLF is More Than a Lit Fest
If you’re still picturing OCLF as a quiet bookish event, you’re missing the point. It’s not just literature. It’s food stalls serving Nagpur’s favorites. It’s live bands and classical concerts. It’s clay idols, kids painting, and theatre shaking the stage.
That’s why OCLF 2025 deserves to be called more than a literature festival. It’s where books meet beats, food meets art, and stories meet real life.
Mark the dates: 21–23 November 2025, Chitnavis Centre, Nagpur. Come hungry. Come curious. Come ready — because this year, OCLF is Nagpur’s ultimate food, art, and music festival rolled into one.
And if you were searching for the Nagpur food festival 2025? Well, congratulations. You just found it.