Dhaka's calendar is packed with vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations.
* **Pohela Boishakh:** The Bengali New Year (April 14) is the largest secular festival, marked by the vibrant **Mangal Shobhajatra** (a UNESCO recognized parade), traditional clothing, music, and street food. * **Ekushey Boimela:** A month-long national book fair held every February on the grounds of the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan, celebrating Bengali literature and the Language Movement martyrs. * **Religious Festivals:** Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are celebrated with mass prayers, feasting, and the massive exodus of residents returning to their ancestral villages. Durga Puja transforms the city with colorful *pandals* and cultural programs. * **Cultural Events:** The Dhaka Lit Fest and the Dhaka International Film Festival draw prominent regional and international figures.