Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Sleepless
Updated September 2026: The sixth Kochi-Muziris Biennale closed on 31 March 2026. The next edition is planned for 2027–28; check the Foundation’s official site for confirmed dates. Below is my photo diary and practical information for visiting Fort Kochi between editions.
Kochi Biennale 2026: For the Time Being
Every two years, Kochi dresses up for art. The sixth Kochi-Muziris Biennale, titled For the Time Being, opened on 12 December 2025 and ran for 110 days, until 31 March 2026. Curated by artist Nikhil Chopra with HH Art Spaces, it brought 66 artists and collectives from over 20 countries to the city. The exhibition extended beyond galleries, from the heritage lanes of Fort Kochi to Mattancherry, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam.
The Biennale Across Kochi
The exhibition was spread across 29 venues in four parts of the city, with Aspinwall House as its central hub. Among the venues were the Coir Godown and Director’s Bungalow at Aspinwall House, Pepper House, Anand Warehouse, SMS Hall in Mattancherry, Island Warehouse on Willingdon Island and Durbar Hall Art Centre; see this venue guide for more. I visited in the final week (24–27 March), and this post is a photo diary of the paintings, installations, sculptures and wall texts that stayed with me, along with the Kochi scenery in between. Follow the Biennale on Instagram at @kochibiennale, and read more about its history on Wikipedia.
Where I Stayed: Brunton Boatyard
For the Biennale I stayed at Brunton Boatyard, a heritage hotel by CGH Earth overlooking the harbour. It sits next door to Aspinwall House, the Biennale’s main venue, so I could walk to the art in the morning and be back by the water in the evening. The sea-facing rooms look out over the Arabian Sea and Cochin Harbour, with Fort Kochi’s old harbour life passing by outside.
A Sunset Cruise on Cochin Harbour
The day we reached the city, the hotel took us out in the evening for a boat cruise.
On our first evening, the hotel arranged a complimentary cruise on its own boat, leaving from its private jetty to circle Cochin Harbour at sunset. We saw fishing boats, the Chinese fishing nets and birds over the water, with a beautiful sunset behind them. It was an unhurried way to settle in before a few days of art.
Why Kochi Is the Perfect Setting for a Biennale
The Biennale felt especially memorable because the art and the city kept speaking to each other. Walking between venues takes you past old warehouses, quiet courtyards, cafés and the working harbour, so Fort Kochi becomes part of the exhibition rather than just its backdrop. Leave room to wander instead of treating the Biennale as a checklist: some of the best moments come in the pauses between installations, when the history of the port and the art begin to feel like one conversation.
Here are a few pictures I took around Kochi; the Biennale gallery is separate, further down this page.
The next day we started our tour of the Biennale. It was unlike anything we had seen, beautifully curated and managed across multiple venues.
Here is a video of the Biennale, followed by more pictures. Do let me know what you think in the comments below.
Planning Your Kochi Art Trip – September 2026
The sixth Biennale closed on 31 March 2026. Here is what to know as of September 2026 if you are planning a visit to the next edition or Fort Kochi between editions.
- The next Biennale: The Foundation describes the next edition as 2027–28. Confirm opening dates and visitor details on the official Kochi-Muziris Biennale website before booking.
- Last edition’s tickets: The sixth edition’s one-day and weekly pass prices are historical reference points only. Check official announcements for ticket prices and sales for the next edition.
- Between Biennales: Fort Kochi and Mattancherry have year-round art and heritage. Check current opening days for galleries around Bazaar Road and Jew Town, and the Biennale Foundation’s programme, before setting out.
- Brunton Boatyard (where I stayed): room prices vary by date and room type; check the hotel directly. Fort Kochi heritage homestays also vary widely by season.
- Harbour cruises and transport: Routes, schedules and fares can change, so confirm current details locally. The Kochi Water Metro and ferries connect parts of the city and harbour.
- Food: Fort Kochi has Kerala restaurants, cafés and seafood spots near the Chinese fishing nets; check current menus and opening times when planning.
For a broader city itinerary, see my guide to Kochi and Kumarakom. You can also read about Kovalam.
