5 Fun Things To Do In Kolkata This Weekend

If you are in Kolkata and wondering what to do this weekend, consult this carefully curated list of events we have put together. There’s Sur Jahan, an annual music festival featuring several exciting bands. Performers include The Umbra Ensemble, a four-woman band from Iceland; The Pengetos Trio, a young band from Hungary; and Ale Möller, the Godfather of Nordic Music from Sweden, along with his band. You can also sign up for a City Museum Trail walk, which allows you to explore the lesser-known museums around Dalhousie Square. Additionally, you can celebrate World Braille Day by participating in a chess competition for visually impaired players, along with a music performance by visually impaired children.

An Ensemble Of Global Music

Get ready for the annual Sur Jahan music festival, which will take place in Kolkata from January 31 to February 2 and at the Bannabagram Baul Ashram on February 4. This non-ticketed festival is open to all music lovers. Sur Jahan, earlier known as Sufi Sutra, was started in 2011 and works on the motto of "Music For Peace, Music For All". Over the years, the festival has hosted bands from 32 countries. This year, they are featuring bands from Iceland and the Netherlands for the first time. The Umbra Ensemble, a four-woman band from Iceland, and Folkcorn, a 50-year-old band from the Netherlands, will be performing. The Pengetos Trio, a young band from Hungary, will also take the stage. The festival will also welcome Ale Möller, the Godfather of Nordic Music, from Sweden with his band.

When And Where:

Mohar Kunj, Kolkata Citizens Park, Kolkata: January 31 - February 2

Bannabagram Baul Asharam, Purba Bardhaman: February 4 

Explore Lesser-Known Museums

Kolkata has several organisations that conduct themed walking tours throughout the city, from exploring culinary heritage to the riverside ghats. Maya Art Space organises specially curated city walks that reveal hidden and untold stories of Kolkata. Their expert guides lead you through the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. This week, you can sign up for the Museum Trail walk, which allow you to explore the museums around Dalhousie Square. Discover Kolkata’s fascinating past as you visit its lesser-known museums in this historic area. Uncover unique artefacts, hidden stories, and the legacy of the city’s colonial and business history, all set amidst stunning architecture. For enquiries and registration, reach out at 9836069987 / 9051574622.

When: January 4,10AM–2PM

Meeting Point: SBI Samriddhi Bhavan, Strand Road

Join A Jamming Session

Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of talent at LITJAM, the ultimate event for music aficionados!. Bring your singing voice and guitar to experience an unforgettable evening of incredible talent. From skilled keyboardists who mesmerise with their melodies to enthusiastic ukulele players strumming cheerful tunes, you’ll be amazed by the diverse range of musicians showcasing their skills. What makes LITJAM special is its emphasis on connection. The evening starts with live performances that will set the stage for an exhilarating atmosphere and culminate in joyful impromptu dancing. Having sold-out events in major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and formerly Hyderabad, LITJAM has quickly become a staple in the local music scene in cities. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this magical night filled with creativity, community, and fantastic music.

When: January 5, 6PM

Where: Park Street SOCIAL, Russel St Social ,BFL Bangur Estate, 1A, next to India's Hobby Centre, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016

Celebrate World Braille Day

Braille is a tactile system of reading and writing used by visually impaired individuals worldwide. It was invented in 1824 by 15-year-old Louis Braille. To celebrate World Braille Day and mark 200 years of this independent reading script for the blind community, KCC is organising a series of events. The celebrations will include an All-Bengal Chess Competition for visually impaired players, a Braille competition focusing on the identification of fruits, vegetables, and flowers through touch in collaboration with Ek Kadam Foundation, and a talk on the "Relevance of Braille in the 21st Century" by Professor Devkumar Dandapat. Additionally, a music performance will feature visually impaired children from the Ek Kadam Foundation.

When: January 4, 10AM–7PM

Where: Kolkata Centre for Creativity, 777, Anandapur EM Bypass, Kolkata - 700 107, West Bengal

Experimental Sounds In A Heritage House

Experience an extraordinary jazz evening at Skinny Mo's Jazz Club, nestled within a stunning heritage home in south Kolkata. City-based musicians Varun Kishore and Jivraj Singh will present Inky Ping, a captivating experimental music concert, seamlessly blending their talents to explore the dynamic space between structured composition and free improvisation. By transcending traditional notions of form and genre, this performance invites you to immerse yourself in the musical journey, shedding the limitations of taste, memory, and expectation. Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage with innovative sounds and creative expression.

When: January 5, 8PM

Where: Skinny Mo’s Jazz Club, 91, Manohar Pukur Rd, Manoharpukur, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029