Halloween Takes Hold in Dhaka: From Bhoot Chaturdashi to Horror Parties, What Is On
Halloween is not a traditional Bengali festival, but its popularity is growing in Dhaka. Driven by globalisation, social media and international entertainment culture, young people in particular have taken to spooky decorations, masks, costume parties and horror-film atmospheres, making the day a visible part of the capital's entertainment scene.
This year, venues across the capital have lined up events for October 31. At Jatra Biroti in Banani, 'Bhoot Chaturdashi' runs from 9am to 2pm, built around the ghostly mood of Bengali culture, with a ghost-hunting game, Bhoot FM storytelling sessions, tarot card reading, face painting, children's books and live music.
At Grill on the Skyline in Tongi, a 'Halloween Night Party' runs from October 29 to 31, from 6pm to 10pm, featuring a monster barbecue buffet, a haunted cave, live music, a horror movie marathon, a costume contest and gothic dance.
Mana Bay is hosting a day-long 'Bhoot Utsab' from October 29 to 31, with horror cosplay, horror dance performances and EDM music, plus a special display modelled on a volcanic eruption.
On Halloween night itself, Jatra Biroti in Banani hosts another event, 'Strange Hours', from 6pm, with live music from Level Five, Vintage Theory and other bands, plus a creative costume showcase in a spooky setting.
Alongside Halloween, art events are also running in the capital. At Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhanmondi, artist Moni Majhi's solo exhibition 'Non-Duality' opened on October 30 and runs until November 10, daily from 3pm to 9pm.
At Kun Creative Studio on Sonatanga Road, 'The Fold Fest', an exhibition of origami artworks, has been running since October 24 and continues until November 11, daily from 5pm to 9pm.
Organisers say such varied events from other cultures, alongside Dhaka's own traditions, are creating a new cultural atmosphere in the capital's entertainment scene.
