Shakrain Festival

শাকরাইন

View on map
Nature & SeasonOld Dhaka
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsUnlike most Bangladeshi festivals that
Language["bn"]Currency: BDT
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

Shakrain Festival in Old Dhaka

Shakrain is Old Dhaka's rooftop kite festival, marking the end of the Bengali month of Poush with afternoon kite fighting and an evening turn to fireworks and fire performers. It is a distinctly Old Dhaka neighborhood tradition rather than a citywide event, best experienced with rooftop access rather than from the street.

Old Dhaka marks the end of the Bengali month of Poush with Shakrain, a kite festival that turns flat rooftops across the old city into staging grounds for kite fights by afternoon and fire displays by night.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike most Bangladeshi festivals that unfold in streets, parks or temple grounds, Shakrain plays out almost entirely on private rooftops across Old Dhaka, which means the best experience of it usually requires a personal or arranged connection to a terrace rather than simply showing up

02

The mystery stays covered

The day's structure is also unusually bifurcated: a competitive daytime kite-fighting phase gives way to an evening of fireworks and rooftop fire performance, two very different atmospheres inside one festival

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Shakrain coincides with Poush Sankranti and is specifically an Old Dhaka Bengali-Dhakaiya custom of flying and fighting kites from rooftops by day

Water and renewal

Living ritual

followed by fireworks and rooftop fire-manipulation performances by night

The sacred route

Living ritual

with kacchi biryani served as the day's signature food

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Use the event area in Old Dhaka to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.

What to wear

Comfortable clothes suited to rooftop terraces and stairs, closed shoes for uneven roof surfaces, and a layer for the cooler January evening once the sun goes down.

Safety

Keep distance from unsafe water edges and follow local crowd or weather warnings.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Old Dhaka.

Tickets/cost

Public water rituals are often open, but boat, viewing, or activity access may be paid.

Language/currency

["bn"] · BDT

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map23.71 N, 90.41 EOpen in Google Maps

Old Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Nearest airportDAC — Hazrat Shahjalal
TransportUse the event area in Old Dhaka to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Old Dhaka.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Old Dhaka via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Old Dhaka, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable clothes suited to rooftop terraces and stairs, closed shoes for uneven roof surfaces, and a layer for the cooler January evening once the sun goes down.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Bangladesh and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Shakrain Festival?

Shakrain Festival is listed for Past edition: 14 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Shakrain Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Old Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbeautifulbangladesh.gov.bd
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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