NEW DELHI: In a major boost to Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and indigenous entrepreneurship, ‘The Grand Expo 2026’ has officially commenced in the national capital. Organized by the Art & Craft Vikas Sansthan in collaboration with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, the 15-day national exhibition is underway from October 22 to November 5, 2026.
Hosted at the Open Space at State Emporia Complex on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, this event serves as a powerful initiative to bring widespread recognition to India’s artisanal traditions, local products, and entrepreneurial spirit, while furthering the vision of ‘Local to Global.
Organized as a Diwali special, the primary objective of the exhibition is to offer a shared platform to the rich traditions of handlooms and handicrafts developed across diverse regions of the country. It provides artisans, weavers, and MSMEs rooted in traditional skills a direct opportunity to showcase their craftsmanship and connect with potential buyers. The event effectively underscores India’s creative ingenuity, cultural diversity, and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
The expo features a wide array of exhibits across multiple categories, including handloom apparel, textiles, home décor, contemporary fashion, traditional jewelry, pottery, and terracotta art. Alongside handcrafted heritage items, visitors are also enjoying a wide selection of authentic regional cuisines. Consequently, the expo has emerged as more than just a retail destination—it serves as a dynamic cultural hub celebrating the diversity of Indian art, heritage, and culinary traditions.
According to Rajkumar Kashyap, Secretary of the Art & Craft Vikas Sansthan, such events are vital for connecting local artisans and entrepreneurs with broader commercial markets and strengthening the domestic brand identity. He noted that promoting indigenous goods and taking traditional crafts to new consumer segments under the ‘Local to Global’ framework is a key pillar of this initiative.
Pramila Tiwari, President of the Art & Craft Vikas Sansthan, highlighted that the organization has long been active in marketing and social development. Drawing from the experience of organizing trade events across various cities, the institute remains dedicated to the economic empowerment of artisan communities, the preservation of traditional skills, and the promotion of sustainable entrepreneurship. Entry to the expo is completely free for the general public. The exhibition will remain open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, allowing families to enjoy our rich folk culture alongside their festive shopping.
‘The Grand Expo 2026’ offers Delhi residents and tourists an exceptional festive opportunity to explore the finest in Indian craftsmanship, handloom heritage, and indigenous products. Organizers are confident that the event will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ by establishing a prominent market identity for local crafts.
