Kolkata International Film Festival
The 32nd Kolkata International Film Festival screens world, Indian and Bengali cinema at Nandan and other halls across the city from 16 to 23 December 2026.
Dec 16–23, 2026
Kolkata, West Bengal
About West Bengal
Overview
The cultural capital of India, West Bengal is a land of literature, art, and intellectual heritage. From bustling Kolkata to hill station Darjeeling. Experience rich Bengali culture, delicious cuisine, vibrant festivals, explore Sundarbans mangrove forests, witness grand Durga Puja celebrations, and discover the land of Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray.
Cities in West Bengal
13 places to explore
Upcoming events in West Bengal
Festivals and celebrations across the state
Kali Puja, Kolkata
Kolkata's Diwali night is Kali Puja, on 8 November 2026, with the main worship at midnight and crowds at Kalighat and Dakshineswar.
Nov 08, 2026
Kolkata, West Bengal
Kolkata Book Fair
The world’s largest non-trade book fair returns for its 50th edition, from 22 January to 3 February 2027 at Boi Mela Prangan, beside Karunamoyee Bus Stand in Salt Lake. This edition takes 150 years of Vande Mataram as its main theme. Visitors can explore over 1,000 stalls and the Kolkata Literature Festival held within the fair.
Jan 22, 2027–Feb 03, 2027
Kolkata, West Bengal
Poush Mela
Poush Mela is an annual cultural fair held in Santiniketan, celebrating Bengal’s folk traditions, art and rural heritage. The festival begins on the 7th day of the Bengali month of Poush, usually in late December, marking the foundation day of the Brahma Mandir in 1891. It opens with traditional rituals at Chhatimtala, followed by music processions and performances by ashram students. The fair is famous for Baul songs, folk dances, tribal performances and artistic presentations by Visva-Bharati students. Hundreds of stalls showcase Bengal’s rich handicrafts, including batik work, kantha, terracotta, paintings and handmade jewellery. Visitors also enjoy authentic Bengali snacks, winter sweets and local rural delicacies.
Dec 23–28, 2026Tentative
Shantiniketan, West Bengal
Darjeeling Hill Marathon and Melo-Tea Festival
The Darjeeling Melo Tea Festival is an annual celebration organised by Darjeeling Police along with the GTA, showcasing the region’s tea heritage and vibrant hill culture. The 2026 edition, branded Tea'sta Fest, will be held from **9 to 13 December 2026** at Chowrasta on Mall Road, bringing together tea, music, art, adventure, and rural tourism. Visitors can enjoy authentic tea-tasting sessions presented by various Darjeeling tea gardens. The festival’s signature theme, **“Tea, Tunes and Strings”**, highlights its blend of tea culture and live musical performances. It features folk music, modern bands, and large-scale open band competitions, with **₹40 Lakhs+ in prizes**. Local artisans and village-circuit stalls showcase traditional crafts, cuisine, and the lifestyle of nearby hill communities. Adventure elements like treks and outdoor activities add to the experience for nature lovers. The festival concludes with the **Darjeeling Hill Marathon**, a major sporting highlight of the region. Altogether, the Melo Tea Festival celebrates the beauty, culture, and global legacy of Darjeeling, the land of the world’s finest teas.
Dec 09–13, 2026
Darjeeling, West Bengal