Celebrating Pohela Boishakh: Culture, Love & Festivities All Around

This year, Pohela Boishakh coincides with Eid, making the joy of both festivals blend together. For generations, Bengalis have celebrated the Bengali New Year with various traditions. This day holds special significance for Bengali businesspeople, who celebrate “Halkhata” with grandeur. On the last day of the year, during Chaitra Sankranti, all outstanding dues and accounts are settled. The following day, old balances are cleared, and a fresh ledger is opened. On Halkhata, money isn't stored away in safes—it’s displayed in decorative ways. The cash counter (gadi) features a tray filled with banknotes, new pillows, and new canopies, and is adorned with colorful paper flags. There are generous servings of sweets. Traders come, open new accounts, and enjoy a feast of sweets, spiced betel leaves, and fragrant tobacco. The environment is filled with laughter, joy, and a sweet aroma.

Shedding the burdens of the past year, the Bengali people are ready to begin their journey in the light of the new sun. As Bengali year 1432 begins today (Pohela Boishakh), various festivities are taking place throughout Dhaka and across the country. Key locations such as Ramna, Dhanmondi, Segunbagicha, and Suhrawardy Udyan are bustling with celebrants.

Since the day is a public holiday, people are celebrating with their families. Here’s a quick look at some popular celebration spots in Dhaka:

Ramna Batamul – Sunrise & Songs from Chhayanaut

The heart of Pohela Boishakh beats loud and early at Ramna Batamul. From 6:15 AM on April 14, Chhayanaut ushers in the Bengali New Year with traditional songs and performances under the iconic banyan tree. All-day cultural programs follow, and nearby vendors offer panta-ilish to complete the festive experience. Even after the morning festivities at Ramna Batamul, the larger Ramna Park continues to hum with the quiet joy of Pohela Boishakh. Families in red-and-white wander beneath sprawling rain trees, children chase bubbles and laughter, and couples share panta-ilish on makeshift mats. The spirit of the day lingers in the rustling leaves and distant beats of a dhol. If you're seeking a pause in your celebration—a moment to breathe in the season—Ramna Park is where tradition and tranquility gently meet.

Dhaka University – The Joyful Borshoboron Anondo Shobhajatra

At 9 AM on April 14, Dhaka University becomes a burst of colors with the UNESCO-recognized Mongol Shobhajatra. This year the name of Mongol Shobhajatra arranged by Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts for the Bangla New Year has been changed to Borshoboron Anondo Shobhajatra. Giant masks, puppets, and cultural motifs fill the streets as 28 ethnic communities participate in this iconic parade, centered around the TSC area which turns into a vibrant village fair.

Suhrawardy Udyan – Boishakhi Band Show

From 3 PM on April 13, Suhrawardy Udyan transforms into a live music haven. Expect performances by ethnic bands like F Minor (Garo), Invocation (Chakma), and Imang (Tripura), as well as major names like Warfaze, Dalchhut, Avoid Rafa, Vikings, Lalon, and more. Let the rhythms of Boishakh carry you into the evening.

National Parliament – Dazzling Drone Show & Cultural Night

The evening of April 14 brings an eye-catching drone show at the South Plaza, courtesy of a Chinese tech team. A Boishakhi band concert and cultural performances round out the evening. The area is also surrounded by food stalls and vendors selling fun festival knick-knacks.

Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Memorial Park – Three-Day Boishakhi Fair

From April 13 to 15, Dhaka North City Corporation hosts a three-day Boishakhi Mela and city celebration in Gulshan-2. Perfect for families, this park offers music, games, and festive food amid a joyful crowd.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy – Art & Culture Fest

In Segunbagicha, Shilpakala Academy is alive with performances and exhibitions from April 13–14. Hosted by Nabopran Andolon, the event showcases music, dance, theater, poetry, and Baul songs. It’s a must-visit for culture lovers.

Rabindra Sarobar – A Unique Cultural Morning

Start April 14 at 6 AM in Dhanmondi's Rabindra Sarobar with “Surer Dhara,” a musical event featuring indigenous performers from the hills and plains. As performances continue on the open-air stage, explore nearby food stalls offering classic Bengali fare. Start your day wrapped in music and mist at Rabindra Sarobar. As the sun rises over Dhanmondi Lake, the lakeside amphitheater fills with melodies from Surer Dhara, celebrating ethnic voices from across the hills and plains. It’s not just a performance—it’s poetry in motion. Afterward, wander by the water, hand in hand, across arched bridges and quiet islands. Pohela Boishakh here feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly personal—a time to rediscover culture and connection.

Chandrima Udyan – A Gentle Retreat from the Noise

Just behind the Parliament building, Chandrima Udyan offers a leafy sanctuary for those looking to step away from the louder parts of the day. The Boishakhi breeze rustles the grass, and birdsong fills the air. With its wide walkways and reflective ponds, this park is ideal for meaningful conversations, reading poetry under a tree, or simply sitting together in silence as the world celebrates around you. It’s Boishakh in slow motion—and sometimes, that’s exactly what your soul needs.

Hatirjheel – Lights, Laughter, and Lakeside Love

As the day winds down, Hatirjheel comes to life. The water mirrors a thousand fairy lights, and boats drift lazily by, their reflections flickering like dreams. Couples stroll the bridges in traditional wear, their shadows dancing to distant music. Whether you're hopping on a water taxi or sharing a spicy fuchka by the railings, Hatirjheel gives Pohela Boishakh a modern, magical touch. It's urban Dhaka at its most festive and most romantic.

Aftabnagar – White Blooms and Quiet Roads

While less chaotic than central Dhaka, Aftabnagar brings its poetic charm to the Boishakhi celebration. The roads are wider, the skies feel bigger, and Kash flowers—those fluffy white blooms—sway gently in the breeze like whispers of spring. It's a place where you can ride a bike in your punjabi or saree, stop for roadside ice cream, or simply walk and talk without interruption. If you’re looking to write your own slow-paced Boishakhi chapter, this is where the pen finds the page.

Lalbagh Fort – A Fortress for Love and Legacy

In the heart of Old Dhaka, Lalbagh Fort becomes a canvas of color during Boishakh. Draped in sarees and punjabis, couples roam through Mughal corridors and rose gardens, taking in the stories etched into every brick. As the sun sets, the fort's light show casts a golden hue on faces filled with wonder. Here, heritage adds weight to your whispers, and history becomes the backdrop to new beginnings.

Ahsan Manzil – Boishakhi Dreams in a Pink Palace

Step into the pastel grandeur of Ahsan Manzil, where the lawns are in bloom and the palace walls echo with the charm of a bygone era. Pohela Boishakh here feels timeless—flower stalls line the gates, musicians play under the archways, and the riverfront whispers stories of old Dhaka love tales. Explore the museum hand-in-hand or simply sit on a bench surrounded by blossoms and boats—it’s a palace built for moments like these.

National Zoo & Botanical Garden – Wild Hearts and Blooming Bonds

Spend the afternoon in Mirpur’s National Zoo, where the air is filled with the excited chatter of children and couples alike. Lions yawn lazily while deer nibble leaves nearby, and your shared curiosity becomes part of the day’s joy. Just next door, the Botanical Garden explodes with Boishakhi color—roses, bougainvillea, and tropical blooms. It’s not just nature; it’s a celebration of life, growth, and all the quiet ways we show we care.

Diabari (Uttara) – Sunset, Street Food, and New Beginnings

A rising favorite among city dwellers, Diabari during Boishakh feels like Dhaka’s own little carnival. Kite-flying contests, paddle boats, and street food corners create a mini fairground vibe. Whether you’re riding a toy train with a smile you forgot you had, or sharing jilapis and lemonade with someone special, this is the kind of place where new chapters feel easy to begin.

300 Feet Road (Purbachal) – The Flavors of Festivity

By late afternoon, the famous 300 Feet Road turns into a bustling corridor of celebration. Restaurants serve fusion twists on Boishakhi classics, and crowds in bright outfits toast the New Year under fairy lights. It's where Boishakh meets food culture, where laughter is shared over grilled chicken and ilish biryani. Come hungry, come happy—leave with a full heart and a memory you’ll want to relive.

Other Celebrations Around Dhaka

Don’t miss neighborhood celebrations in Uttara’s Diabari, Sutrapur’s Dhupkhola Field, Wari’s Tipu Sultan Road, and Purbachal’s 300 Feet Road. These community-led events feature fairs, traditional games, and local food—just expect bigger crowds during the festival.