Things to Do in Kolkata in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Kolkata
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Durga Puja pandal artisans are actively building next season's elaborate structures in their workshops - March is when you can actually watch master craftsmen at work in Kumartuli without the festival crowds, and they're happy to explain their techniques since it's their slow season for visitors
- The Maidan becomes genuinely usable in early mornings (6-9am) before the heat builds - you'll see Kolkata at its most authentic with cricket matches, football games, and the entire city seemingly out for morning walks. Temperature sits around 23-25°C (73-77°F) during these hours, which is about as comfortable as Kolkata gets
- Hilsa fish (ilish) season overlaps with March, meaning you're hitting Bengali cuisine at peak form - mustard hilsa, fried hilsa, hilsa in banana leaf - every Bengali restaurant worth its salt will have multiple preparations, and locals are genuinely passionate about discussing which style is superior
- Hotel and flight prices drop significantly after Holi (mid-March 2026) - you're looking at 30-40% lower rates compared to winter months, and international flights from Southeast Asia and the Middle East tend to have more availability since you're between peak winter tourism and monsoon season
Considerations
- The heat builds aggressively through the month - what starts as pleasant 28°C (82°F) mornings in early March becomes 35°C (95°F) by afternoon later in the month, and that 70% humidity makes it feel closer to 38-40°C (100-104°F). Air conditioning becomes non-negotiable, not a luxury
- Power cuts (load shedding) increase as the city's grid strains under AC demand - expect 1-2 brief outages daily, usually 15-30 minutes, more common in residential areas than central Kolkata. Most hotels have generators, but neighborhood restaurants and shops might not
- The city empties out toward month-end as Bengali families head to Digha or Mandarmani beaches for pre-summer holidays - this means some excellent local restaurants in residential areas might have reduced hours or close entirely for a week, and you'll miss some of the neighborhood energy that makes Kolkata special
Best Activities in March
Victoria Memorial and Colonial Architecture Walking Routes
March mornings are the only time you can comfortably explore Victoria Memorial's 64-acre grounds without melting - go between 7-10am when temperatures hover around 24-26°C (75-79°F). The marble structure actually glows differently in March's sharper light compared to winter's haze. The surrounding colonial buildings in Dalhousie area are best photographed now before pre-monsoon dust storms start in April. Crowds are minimal since domestic tourists prefer winter visits.
Kumartuli Potter's Quarter Studio Visits
March is actually the ideal month to visit Kumartuli because artisans are working on commissions and experimental pieces without the September-October Durga Puja deadline pressure. You can spend 30-45 minutes watching clay idol making, talk directly with artists, and understand the 6-month creation process. The narrow lanes are navigable in March heat if you go before 10am - later in the day, the combination of kiln heat and ambient temperature makes it genuinely uncomfortable.
Hoogly River Sunset Cruises and Ghat Walks
The Hooghly becomes particularly photogenic in March as the water level is still reasonable and the light has that pre-summer intensity. Evening cruises (5-7pm) catch sunset around 6pm and temperatures drop to bearable 28-30°C (82-86°F). Prinsep Ghat, Outram Ghat, and Babu Ghat are active with evening crowds - locals doing puja, couples, families - giving you real neighborhood atmosphere. The breeze off the river actually provides relief, which you'll appreciate after a day in the city.
College Street Book Market and University Area Exploration
College Street is marginally more comfortable in March than peak summer, though you'll still want to go early (8-11am) or late afternoon (4-6pm). The area around Presidency University and Coffee House has that intellectual Kolkata energy - students debating over chai, vendors selling academic texts and vintage books, the smell of old paper and street food mixing. March timing means you catch the tail end of academic year energy before summer break empties the area in April-May.
South Kolkata Food Walking Routes (Gariahat to Golpark)
Bengali food culture peaks during hilsa season, and March evenings (5-8pm) are perfect for walking between Gariahat Market, Golpark, and Rashbehari Avenue food spots. You'll find everything from street-side jhalmuri to sit-down Bengali restaurants serving mustard hilsa. The heat forces you to pace yourself with stops for lassi and coconut water, which actually enhances the experience. This is local Kolkata at its most authentic - no tourist infrastructure, just neighborhood food culture.
Botanical Gardens and Eco Park Early Morning Visits
The 270-acre Botanical Gardens in Howrah and the newer Eco Park in New Town are only tolerable in March if you arrive at opening (6am for Botanical Gardens, 7am for Eco Park). The famous 250-year-old Great Banyan Tree is worth seeing, and morning bird activity is high. By 10am, the heat makes extended walking miserable, so this is genuinely an early-morning-only activity. Eco Park has better maintained paths and some air-conditioned sections if you need heat refuge.
March Events & Festivals
Holi Festival
Holi falls in mid-March 2026 (exact date follows the lunar calendar, typically March 13-14). While not as elaborate as in North India, Kolkata's Bengali neighborhoods celebrate with colored powder and community gatherings. Shantiniketan (180 km/112 miles away) has the most famous Holi celebration in Bengal - Rabindranath Tagore's university town hosts Basanta Utsav with traditional songs and organic colors. If you're in Kolkata during Holi, expect shops and restaurants to close or have reduced hours on the main day.
Dover Lane Music Conference
If the dates align (it sometimes extends into early March), this is one of India's most prestigious classical music festivals - all-night concerts featuring top Hindustani classical musicians. Held at Nazrul Mancha, it's free entry but requires patience for crowds and sitting on the ground for hours. The atmosphere is electric with serious classical music enthusiasts, and it represents Kolkata's deep cultural roots. Check exact dates closer to March 2026 as the festival typically runs late January to early February but occasionally extends.