Light & Sound Show at Red Fort
The Red Fort light and sound show is called Jai Hind. It runs after sunset, Tuesday to Sunday, and the booking page lists tickets from ₹500.
Most mistakes happen before you reach the gate. The show ticket is separate from the fort’s entry ticket. Once booked, it cannot be cancelled or refunded. And the organiser asks you to report a full hour before the show starts. Some blogs still carry prices and timings from the old show.
This guide covers the 2026-27 season, using the organiser’s pages as read on 28 October 2026. Where two sources disagree, it says so.
Quick Answer
Jai Hind runs Tuesday to Sunday after sunset and lasts about one hour. Sabhyata’s booking page lists a 6:00 PM Hindi show and a 7:15 PM show, in English on Tuesday to Thursday and in Hindi on Friday to Sunday. Go by the time printed on your ticket.
Tickets start from ₹500 on the booking page, cannot be refunded, and need a government ID. Report one hour early at the security gate near Lahori Gate.
Key Takeaways
- Monday is closed.
- On Sabhyata’s listing, English is only at 7:15 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- Booked tickets cannot be cancelled, exchanged or refunded.
- Report one hour before the show and collect your seat band at the Red Fort Centre ticket counter.
- Red Fort was closed from 15 July to 15 August 2026. ASI sets these dates by notice, so check it for 2027.
Red Fort light and sound show: what it is
Jai Hind is the light and sound show at Red Fort today. Dalmia Bharat, the fort’s Monument Mitra, made it with Sabhyata Foundation. Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated it on 10 January 2023, and it opened to the public on 17 January.
ITDC produced the earlier Red Fort show from the 1970s until 2018, according to The Wire. Trade reports said Jai Hind brought the show back after a gap of almost five years.
The format changed too. A 2023 report describes the audience walking through Naubat Khana and Diwan-e-Aam, then sitting for the last 35 to 40 minutes on the Diwan-e-Khas lawns. Launch coverage put the audience at about 700 people per show.
Jai Hind at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Jai Hind (the Red Fort sound and light show) |
| Made by | Dalmia Bharat with Sabhyata Foundation |
| Runs | Tuesday to Sunday, after sunset |
| Length | About 1 hour |
| Format | Walkthrough across three spots, with a seated finale |
| Languages | Hindi and English |
| Where it is held | Naubat Khana, reached through the security gate near Lahori Gate |
| Age limit | 2+ (booking terms) |
| Narrator | Waqt (Time), voiced in Hindi by Amitabh Bachchan |
Check Here: Red Fort Light & Sound Show Cost
What the Jai Hind show covers
The story runs from the 17th century to modern India. Expect these episodes:
- The Mughal court and the power struggle between Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb
- Nadir Shah’s invasion in 1739 and the plunder of the fort
- The rise of the Marathas and the 1857 War of Independence
- The Indian National Army, the INA trials and the freedom struggle, followed by India after independence
Live actors, dancers, puppets, projection mapping and film carry the story. Maitreyee Pahari directed the show, the life-size puppets are by Dadi Pudumji, and the music is by Sharad Chandra Srivastava. It ends with a victory dance and the national anthem.
Red Fort light and sound show timings
Schedule on Sabhyata’s booking page
| Show | Time | Language |
|---|---|---|
| First show | 6:00 PM | Hindi, Tuesday to Sunday |
| Second show | 7:15 PM | English on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday |
| Second show | 7:15 PM | Hindi on Friday, Saturday and Sunday |
Other platforms may list different start times for the same dates. Pick your date at checkout and trust the time on your ticket.
Timings follow sunset, so they move through the year. Sabhyata’s information page gives a summer pattern of 7:30 PM in Hindi and 8:45 PM in Hindi or English, depending on the day. Many older pages still print a 9:00 PM English slot.
The show runs about an hour. The booking terms ask you to report at least one hour before it starts, although the information page says 30 to 45 minutes. Follow the stricter rule and plan on roughly two and a half hours from arrival to exit.
How to pick your Red Fort light and sound show slot
If you need English, go on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 7:15 PM. The current listing has no other English slot.
If language doesn’t matter, take the first show. It finishes about an hour after it starts and leaves the rest of the evening free.
Dates when there is no show
Monday is closed. Recent listings have covered limited blocks of dates, so confirm that your date is on the calendar before you build a trip around it.
Independence Day is the other gap. ASI closed Red Fort from 15 July to 15 August 2026, and The Tribune reported that the Jai Hind show was suspended too. ASI sets these dates by notice, so check it if you travel in July or early August 2027.
Red Fort light and sound show ticket price
The booking page lists tickets from ₹500. Sabhyata’s information page says from ₹250, and one third-party list puts the last rows at ₹250 and the front row at ₹1,500. Use ₹500 as your working starting price and trust the seat prices shown after you pick a date.
| What you pay for | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jai Hind show ticket | From ₹500 (booking page); ₹250 (information page) | Separate ticket. An internet handling fee per ticket may be added, so check the total before you pay. |
| Red Fort daytime entry | ₹35 for Indian visitors; ₹500 to ₹550 for international visitors | Rates as listed by Sabhyata, which advises checking the ASI website. Only needed for a daytime visit. |
| Other costs | Cab or parking, food | Not part of any ticket. |
When you also need a Red Fort entry ticket
Only for a daytime visit. Night entry is allowed for people with a valid Jai Hind ticket, so a show-only evening needs just the show ticket. A daytime entry ticket does not get you into the evening show. For the monument itself, see our Red Fort history and visitor facts.
How to book Jai Hind show tickets
- Open Sabhyata’s booking page for Jai Hind, or use the ticket counter inside Red Fort.
- Pick your date and show, and check the language and start time.
- Choose your seats, read the total including the handling fee, and pay.
- Save the e-ticket and carry a government ID.
- Report at the security gate near Lahori Gate one hour before the show.
- Collect your seat band at the Red Fort Centre ticket counter, where the booking terms say bands are issued. The show is held at Naubat Khana.
Sabhyata says seats per show are limited. The show has also been listed on BookMyShow. Book through these channels only, and send school, group and corporate requests to Sabhyata directly.
Cancellation and refunds
The booking terms say tickets cannot be cancelled, exchanged or refunded once booked. Treat your date as final, and book only when your plans are fixed.
We couldn’t find a published rain or fog policy. If the forecast looks bad, ask Sabhyata before you travel.
How to reach Red Fort for the evening show
- Metro: Lal Qila station on the Violet Line is the closest. Chandni Chowk station on the Yellow Line is a longer walk through the lanes, and sources differ on the distance, so check a map. Our Delhi metro guide for tourists has the line details.
- Cab or auto: Ask to be dropped near Lahori Gate and agree the return plan before you go in.
- Own car: Paid parking is available near Sunehri Masjid, with entry through Lahori Gate. The metro saves you the search.
Security, ID and rules
Carry a government ID and your e-ticket. The booking terms ask for both, and any recording or unauthorised streaming is strictly prohibited.
- Bring: a light jacket from November to February, and a small water bottle
- Leave behind: large bags, outside food, tripods and sharp objects, which are generally restricted at Red Fort
- Photography: ask at the gate before you plan on photos with flash
For wheelchair access, older guests or very young children, write to Sabhyata at contact@sabhyatafoundation.com before booking. We have not seen a published list of access arrangements, so don’t assume any.
Best time of year for the show
October to February is the comfortable window. Winter evenings turn cool and can be foggy, so a jacket helps. Summer evenings stay warm and the show runs later, and the monsoon brings humidity and rain to an outdoor show.
Plan the evening around the show
Work back from your show time. Daytime visits to the fort use a separate ticket, so keep them as a separate plan.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| One hour before | Report at the security gate near Lahori Gate with your e-ticket and ID |
| Before the show | Collect your seat band at the Red Fort Centre ticket counter |
| Show time | Jai Hind begins at Naubat Khana |
| About an hour later | The show ends. Walk to Lal Qila metro, or book a cab for the return |
Eat before you arrive or after you leave. Cafe Delhi Heights operates inside the fort, and our Chandni Chowk guide covers the food streets nearby.
Match the show to your trip
- You need English: book Tuesday to Thursday at 7:15 PM.
- You need flexibility: look elsewhere, because tickets cannot be refunded.
- You have a child: the booking terms list an age limit of 2+.
- You have mobility needs: email Sabhyata before you pay.
Who should go, and who should skip it
Go if you want history told as a performance. Skip it if you care mainly about the architecture, because a daytime visit covers that better.
- Tickets are final, so a change of plan costs you the ticket.
- Seats per show are limited.
- The 7:15 PM show is in Hindi on Friday to Sunday.
- With the early report time, the evening takes about two and a half hours.
- The show is outdoors and involves a walk.
Purana Qila has its own show, Ishq-e-Dilli, run by ITDC. ITDC’s page has listed it as paused for an upgrade, and ITDC showed teasers of a new Purana Qila production in February 2026. Check ITDC for its status first.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a daytime entry ticket covers the show, or the other way round
- Copying timings or prices from an older blog
- Arriving at the start time instead of one hour early
- Skipping the seat band counter at Red Fort Centre
- Travelling between mid-July and mid-August without checking ASI’s closure notice
- Booking before your dates are fixed
Pro tips
- Check the total, including the handling fee, before you pay.
- Pick the metro to Lal Qila. It avoids parking and evening traffic.
- Save your e-ticket on your phone and keep your ID with it.
- Eat before you arrive, not in the queue.
Why plan your Red Fort evening with The Delhi Tours
The Delhi Tours is run by Shikhar Travels India Pvt. Ltd., with its registered office in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. Its website lists memberships with IATO, ATOAI and ADTOI.
Our evening tour page lists the show ticket, an air-conditioned transfer from your Delhi hotel, an English-speaking guide, taxes and a drop back after the show. It is priced at USD 65 per person for two or more travellers. Check that page for the current rate.
Send a booking request, see the guided evening tour with hotel pickup, or browse our Delhi tour packages. You can also reach the team on WhatsApp at +91 9821088817 or at tours@shikhar.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Timings and days
What time does the Red Fort light and sound show start?
Sabhyata’s booking page lists 6:00 PM in Hindi and 7:15 PM in English or Hindi, depending on the day. Go by the time on your ticket.
Is the show on Monday?
No. Jai Hind runs Tuesday to Sunday.
Is there an English show?
Yes, at 7:15 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on the current listing.
How long does the evening take?
The show lasts about one hour. Add the one-hour early report time and plan on about two and a half hours.
Does the show run around Independence Day?
Not always. In 2026 the fort was closed from 15 July to 15 August and the show was suspended. Check ASI’s notice.
Tickets and booking
How much is a Jai Hind ticket?
The booking page lists tickets from ₹500. The information page says from ₹250. Seat prices shown at checkout are the ones that count.
Where can I book tickets?
On Sabhyata Foundation’s booking page or at the ticket counter inside Red Fort.
Do I need a separate ticket from the Red Fort entry ticket?
Yes. The show has its own ticket, and the monument entry ticket does not cover it.
Can I watch the show without a daytime ticket?
Yes. Night entry is allowed for visitors holding a valid show ticket.
Can I get a refund if my plans change?
No. The booking terms say tickets cannot be cancelled, exchanged or refunded.
The show and your visit
Who narrates Jai Hind?
The narrator is Waqt, or Time, voiced in Hindi by Amitabh Bachchan. A 2023 report credited the English version to Kabir Bedi, so confirm for current shows.
What does the show cover?
Mughal rule, Nadir Shah’s invasion, the Marathas, 1857, the INA and the freedom struggle.
Which gate do I use, and where do I collect my seat band?
Use the security gate near Lahori Gate. Seat bands are issued at the Red Fort Centre ticket counter.
What ID and rules apply?
Carry a government ID and your e-ticket. The age limit is 2+, and recording or unauthorised streaming is prohibited.
Is the Red Fort light and sound show worth it?
Yes, if you want history as a performance and your plans are fixed. For the monument alone, go in the daytime.
Plan your Jai Hind evening
Pick the date first, because tickets are final. Check the language, the start time and the total with fees, then report one hour early at the gate near Lahori Gate.
If you want the evening arranged for you, send a booking request to The Delhi Tours with your dates and group size.
