Shakrain kite festival, Old Dhaka
Dhaka · January
On the last day of the month of Poush the rooftops of Old Dhaka fill with kites, and the evening with fireworks and fire-breathing. Usually in mid-January.
Festivals and fairs calendar
The festivals and fairs of Bangladesh worth travelling for, month by month.
January
February
Amar Ekushey Book Fair
Dhaka · February
The country's largest book fair runs through February at the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan; on 21 February people lay flowers at the Shaheed Minar for the language martyrs.
Shiva Chaturdashi fair, Sitakunda
Chattogram · February / March
At Shiva Chaturdashi in the month of Falgun, pilgrims in their hundreds of thousands climb to the temple on Chandranath Hill, and a large fair gathers below. The date changes every year.
March
Shiva Chaturdashi fair, Sitakunda
Chattogram · February / March
At Shiva Chaturdashi in the month of Falgun, pilgrims in their hundreds of thousands climb to the temple on Chandranath Hill, and a large fair gathers below. The date changes every year.
April
Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year)
Dhaka · April
The Bengali New Year on 14 April: dawn songs by Chhayanaut under the banyan at Ramna, the procession from the Faculty of Fine Arts, and Boishakhi fairs all over the country.
Boisabi (Boisu, Sangrai, Biju)
Rangamati · April
The new year of the hill peoples of the three hill districts in the last days of Chaitra: flowers floated on the rivers, the Marma water festival and open house in every home.
Jabbar's Boli Khela wrestling, Chattogram
Chattogram · April
Every year on 12 Boishakh (late April) a wrestling contest more than a century old is held at Laldighi in Chattogram, with a Boishakhi fair around it for several days.
September
Durga Puja
Dhaka · September / October
Five days of festival at tens of thousands of pavilions across the country; the crowds are biggest at Dhakeshwari National Temple and Shankhari Bazar in Old Dhaka. The date follows the lunar calendar.
October
Durga Puja
Dhaka · September / October
Five days of festival at tens of thousands of pavilions across the country; the crowds are biggest at Dhakeshwari National Temple and Shankhari Bazar in Old Dhaka. The date follows the lunar calendar.
Lalon remembrance festival, Cheuriya
Kushtia · October
On 1 Kartik (mid-October), the anniversary of Lalon's death, bauls and fakirs from all over the country gather at Cheuriya in Kushtia for several days of song.
Probarana full moon and lantern festival, Bandarban
Bandarban · October
At the full moon that ends the Buddhist rains retreat, Bandarban sends lanterns into the sky and floats a chariot on the Sangu. It falls in October by the lunar calendar.
Kathin Chibar Dan, Rajban Vihara
Rangamati · October / November
In the month after Probarana, at Rajban Vihara in Rangamati, a monk's robe is spun, woven and offered within 24 hours. One of the largest Buddhist festivals in the country.
November
Kathin Chibar Dan, Rajban Vihara
Rangamati · October / November
In the month after Probarana, at Rajban Vihara in Rangamati, a monk's robe is spun, woven and offered within 24 hours. One of the largest Buddhist festivals in the country.
Rash Mela, Dublar Char
Bagerhat · November
A holy bath and a fair at Dublar Char in the Sundarbans at the Rash full moon of Kartik. A Forest Department permit is needed: go with a registered tour operator.
Manipuri Rash Leela, Kamalganj
Moulvibazar · November
On the night of the Rash full moon the Manipuri people of Madhabpur and Adampur in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar, dance the Rash Leela all night, with a large fair.
Kantajew Rash fair, Dinajpur
Dinajpur · November
From the Rash full moon one of the largest and oldest fairs of the north gathers around Kantajew Temple at Kantanagar, and runs for weeks.
Most festivals follow the Bengali or a lunar calendar, so the date moves a little each year. Check the year's date before you go.