Crowd covered in pink gulal celebrates Holi atop a steel truss bridge, with a smartphone raised to film the colourful festival procession.

Home > Blogs > Festivals of Kolkata

Festivals of Kolkata

From religious festivals to literary ones, Kolkata's love for celebrations and happy occasions is enjoyed with great shows. The city is a window into Bengali culture, offering special experiences to its visitors. Here is a short list of all the festivals to plan your trip to the City of Joy.

an idol of Goddess Durga with other deities below sitting next to her in a red backdrop

Durga Puja

The most celebrated festival in Kolkata is Durga Puja, held in September or October. The streets are full of people visiting beautifully decorated pandals and unique Durga idols. Each year, pandals adopt different themes for their decorations, such as pyramids, boats, trees, or chapters from novels. They compete to win awards for their creativity and designs. This five-day festival is about joy, family, friends, and, of course, food. It marks the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. According to tradition, Durga returns to her parents' home for five days with her family, symbolising a daughter's visit home. Durga Pujo is Kolkata's most famous festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Woman in traditional attire performing a ritual with a fan and weapon before a decorated goddess idol during a festival celebration.

Kojagori Lokkhi Puja

After Durga Puja, the full moon brings an auspicious day for worshipping goddess Lakshmi. The festival involves offering coconut sweets like narkel naru and savoury bhog khichuri. On this day, you'll see many priests busy across the city, in high demand to conduct rituals for households celebrating the occasion.

Close-up of an ornate festival idol of a goddess with crown, third eye and intricate jewellery, dramatically lit on a dark background.

Kali Puja

When the country celebrates Diwali, Kolkata is filled with pandals again, dedicated to Goddess Kali. On this new moon night, the powerful goddess is worshipped, marking her victory over Raktabija. Use this festival as an opportunity to go pandal hopping once again, with the skyline filled with crackers and the streets bustling with noise. Enjoy Kolkata Kathi rolls while moving from one pandal to another.

Christmas

In December, Park Street shines with lights shaped like reindeers and Christmas trees. Bow Barracks, an Anglo-Indian area, hosts lively dance events, open-air concerts, and midnight masses. Plum cakes are plentiful throughout the city, adding to the festive spirit and joy of Christmas.

2 women in colourful saris and bangles holding a brass kalash topped with mango leaves during a traditional Indian ritual.

Saraswati Puja

In the months of January or February Kolkata gears up for saraswati pujo. Infamously also known as Bengali Valentine's Day. Students worship Goddess Saraswati on this day with their textbooks, musical instruments and stationary items. This is a day dedicated to the worship of the Goddess and Learning. Put on your yellow outfit and watch the city celebrate this day with musical performances. The list of events always includes classical dances, live music, open-air poetry (known as abriti in the city), and dramas.

Traditional clay pot filled with soft white spongy sweets soaked in light syrup, set against a plain white background.

Poila Boishakh

Bengali New Year is celebrated on 14th April every year. This date marks the onset of spring and the beginning of a new year that is celebrated with new clothes, delicious food and cultural events. Before the celebration, there are large sales called Chaitra sales, and afterwards, everyone connects with family and friends to wish them "shubho nobo borsho" (Happy New Year).

Celebrate festivals with Kolkata and access all areas of the city with ease from Polo Floatel. The unique river oasis is the epitome of luxury and much-needed relaxation that you will need after a day of pandal hopping, eating and chatting away with the locals. The backdrop of the Hooghly River is bound to make you feel calm and comfortable at the end of a hectic day. The rooms are elegantly furnished and the rooms designed as cabins are meticulously designed so that you may wake up to the majestic views of the Ganges.

Related Blogs

Misty mountain valley at dawn with layered ridges, terraced fields and a small village nestled between forested slopes.

Mawkdok Dympep Valley - A Gem in Meghalaya’s Tourism Circle

Cherrapunjee is a gorgeous hill town nestled amidst the pine-forested mountains of North East India. This holiday retreat, known for offering the highest level of rainfall in the world, is also one of the highest places in Meghalaya. In Cherrapunjee, the most fascinating charms are its lofty mountains, the unique living root bridges, the caves - some of which are the largest in Asia, and a collection of scintillating viewpoints.

Discover

Agartala

Kolkata

Shillong

Cherrapunji