Dhaka’s must-visit festivals and fairs this December

December is a month of festivity in Dhaka. Besides the mild chill in the air, the wafts of jaggery-filled rice cakes steaming by the roadside stalls, or enjoying a sip from a cup of strong milk tea, the month is dotted with fairs, exhibitions, yoga festivals, marathons etc.
In fact, so much is happening this month, that I am finding it difficult to keep tabs on all the events. So, bring out your diary and mark the fun days ahead to plan your December well.
First and foremost, with great pleasure, I want to invite My Dhaka readers to The Daily Star premises and enjoy our remarkable exhibition, titled “36 Days of July: Saluting the Bravehearts”, where we are celebrating journalism. We are exhibiting our in-depth coverage of the July Uprising through our reporting, photojournalism, and multimedia videos. The Daily Star’s unique exhibition pays tribute to the spirit of resilience, courage, and sacrifice displayed by students and ordinary Bangladeshis during the historic July Uprising. Our exhibition will remain open to all till December 7 (tomorrow) between 10:00am and 8:00pm.
My recent favourite event of the year is the “Paara Utshob” by Heroes for All Inc. in collaboration with Baridhara Society and DNCC at Baridhara Diplomatic Zone. The open for all Paara Utshob will step into its fourth year of successful consecutive shows this year, and is set to happen today (December 6) from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
What I love about this event is the relaxed mood and joyful atmosphere that prevails throughout the day. You can casually stroll through the streets with a popsicle or coffee in your hand and with your pet tagging along. Pet lovers can bring their pets to the event dressed in their finery for a pet fashion or stage show. This is indeed a unique concept in Dhaka.
The streets are decorated in a fair-like manner with set-ups of craft shops and cafes. Activity zones have deshi street games, open-mike sessions, bioscope, an art wall for all, storytelling corners, and health and well-being info stalls. There are mini-workshops on arts and crafts that are sought after. People playing a board of carom, or opting for fortune tellers to read their future; the event is simply jam-packed with activity!
However, you need to work on the timings if you are to join the “Bangladesh Reimagined: Dhaka Flow Festival of Yoga & Wellness” at Gulshan Society Lake Park. The event, by Dhaka Flow, is for the public and free of cost, but they insist on registering early on. You do not want to miss an exclusive event catered to your wellness, both in regards to your mental and physical health happiness. It is also coinciding with your Friday plans today; however, if you happen to be busy today, then you also have tomorrow to pop in from 10:00am to 7:00pm.
There will be yoga and fitness classes, music and theatre performances, art and meditation workshops, expert panel discussions, a 5km run, a wellness bazaar, and much more. I am looking forward to the Sound Healing and Sound Meditation sessions and I must remember to carry my earphones for the immersive experience zone. The Sustainable Fashion Boulevard and Fashion Show by the likes of Humaira Khan of Anokhi is an added attraction.
Friday is set to be the most happening day of the month because there is also a 21.1km and 7.5km marathon today at the capital’s Hatirjheel, titled “Run for the Earth 2024”, with the slogan “Run for Health, Run for Unity”.
Besides these carnivals, there will be scores of Christmas bazaars and tradeshows throughout the month, which are the perfect places to go for your Christmas shopping. Later in the month there is a jazz night at Spaghetti Jazz. Then a trendy K-pop Fancy Fest Dhaka-2024, featuring an electrifying K-pop dancing and singing competition, will be held on December 20 at Tokyo Square Convention Centre in Mohammadpur (Level 8).
But the much-awaited funfair of the month will be the three-day-long “Zainul Utsab” and “Zainul Mela,” to be held at Charukola (Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University). This is a perfect way to end your year; explore the fairgrounds for artworks from faculty departments and handmade heritage crafts from local artisans.