Things to Do in Kolkata in October

October Weather in Kolkata

32°C (90°F) High Temp

24°C (75°F) Low Temp

150mm (5.9 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is October Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect post-monsoon clarity - the air is cleaner than any other time of year, making Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge photography spectacular with 15-20km (9-12 mile) visibility
Durga Puja season creates the city's most vibrant atmosphere - thousands of artistic pandals transform neighborhoods into open-air galleries for 5 days in mid-October
Comfortable evening temperatures around 24°C (75°F) make walking tours through College Street and New Market actually enjoyable after 5pm
Fresh post-rain Hooghly River boat rides offer the clearest views of Dakshineswar Kali Temple and the iconic Vidyasagar Setu spanning 823m (2,700 ft)

Considerations

Durga Puja crowds can make metro travel impossible during peak hours - expect 30-45 minute delays on the Blue Line between Esplanade and Chandni Chowk
Hotel prices spike 200-300% during Puja week due to massive domestic tourism influx from rural Bengal
Afternoon humidity still hits 85% with sudden 20-30 minute downpours that flood Park Street within minutes

Best Activities in October

Durga Puja Pandal Hopping Tours

October is the ONLY time to experience Bengal's greatest festival. Over 3,000 artistic installations transform the city into an open-air art gallery. The post-monsoon air clarity makes photography exceptional, and evening temperatures around 24°C (75°F) are perfect for walking between pandals. This cultural immersion is impossible any other time of year.

Booking Tip: Book cultural walking tours 3-4 weeks ahead as local guides are in highest demand. Expect tours to cost ₹2,500-4,000 per day. Look for Bengali-speaking guides who can translate the artistic themes. See current pandal tour options in the booking section below.

Hooghly River Sunset Cruises

Post-monsoon water levels are perfect and the air clarity reveals stunning views of both Howrah and Vidyasagar bridges. October evenings offer comfortable 26°C (79°F) temperatures on deck, and you'll avoid the harsh summer sun or monsoon cancellations. The golden hour light on colonial architecture is unmatched.

Booking Tip: Evening cruises typically cost ₹800-1,500 per person. Book through licensed boat operators at Millennium Park Ghat or Babughat. October has the most reliable weather for cruises. Check current river cruise options in booking section below.

Heritage Architecture Walking Tours

October's clear post-monsoon air provides exceptional visibility for photographing Victoria Memorial's 64m (210 ft) dome and the Gothic spires of St. Paul's Cathedral. Morning temperatures of 26°C (79°F) and low humidity make 3-4 hour walking tours through Dalhousie Square comfortable before afternoon heat builds.

Booking Tip: Start tours by 8am to avoid crowds and heat. Heritage walks cost ₹1,200-2,500 for half-day tours. Look for guides certified by West Bengal Tourism. Current heritage tour options available in booking section below.

Kumartuli Potter's Quarter Visits

October is peak season for clay idol making as artisans prepare final Durga sculptures. You'll witness the ancient craft at its most intense, with over 300 workshops operating 12-hour days. The post-monsoon humidity helps keep clay workable, and you can see the entire process from clay to painted goddess.

Booking Tip: Visit between 7am-11am when potters are most active and light is best for photography. Entry is usually free but tip artisans ₹100-200 for photos. Guided cultural tours cost ₹1,500-2,800. See current artisan quarter tours in booking section below.

Colonial Calcutta Food Tours

October's comfortable evenings make street food exploration perfect. Post-monsoon ensures fresher ingredients, and Puja season brings special sweets like nolen gur (date palm jaggery) preparations available only in October-November. Evening temperatures around 25°C (77°F) mean you can enjoy hot phuchka and kathi rolls without discomfort.

Booking Tip: Evening food tours (6pm-10pm) are ideal in October weather. Expect to pay ₹2,000-3,500 for comprehensive tours covering 8-10 stops. Book with operators who provide bottled water and basic first aid. Current food tour options in booking section below.

Sunderbans Mangrove Day Trips

October offers the best Sunderbans conditions with clear post-monsoon waters, comfortable boat temperatures, and active wildlife as animals emerge after monsoon hiding. Tiger sightings increase 40% in October-November compared to summer months. The 3-hour drive south is pleasant in October's moderate temperatures.

Booking Tip: Full-day trips cost ₹4,500-7,000 including transport from Kolkata. Book 7-10 days ahead as October is peak season. Choose operators with forest department permits and experienced naturalist guides. See current Sunderbans tour options in booking section below.

October Events & Festivals

Mid October

Durga Puja Festival

Bengal's most important festival transforms Kolkata into a massive art gallery with over 3,000 decorated pandals. Each neighborhood creates elaborate themed installations, from recreating famous monuments to abstract modern art. The city essentially shuts down for 5 days as millions participate in this UNESCO-recognized cultural celebration.

Late October

Kali Puja

Following Durga Puja by 15-20 days, this darker, more mystical festival honors Goddess Kali with elaborate lighting and fireworks. Kalighat Temple sees massive crowds, and the city lights up with thousands of oil lamps creating a completely different atmosphere from Durga Puja's daytime celebrations.

Late October

Jagaddhatri Puja

The final major puja of October, particularly celebrated in North Kolkata neighborhoods like Baghbazar and Shyambazar. While smaller than Durga Puja, it features some of the most artistic pandals as communities have more time to plan elaborate decorations without rushing between festivals.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight cotton kurtas or breathable linen shirts - synthetic fabrics become unbearable in 70% humidity during Puja crowds

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - pandal hopping involves 5-8km (3-5 miles) of walking daily on potentially wet streets

Compact umbrella - October afternoon showers are brief but intense, flooding streets within 10 minutes

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 despite comfortable temperatures, especially dangerous when reflecting off wet pavement

Power bank and waterproof phone case - essential for photographing pandals and navigating crowds when regular charging isn't possible

Light cotton scarf - covers shoulders for temple visits and protects against dust in crowded areas

Small day pack - hands-free carrying is essential when navigating dense Puja crowds and climbing metro stairs

Quick-dry pants or long skirts - more comfortable than shorts in humid conditions and appropriate for religious sites

Oral rehydration salts - easily available locally but essential for managing heat and crowd exhaustion during long pandal tours

Cash in small denominations - pandal donations, street food, and rickshaw rides require ₹10-50 notes during festival season

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations for Durga Puja week (usually October 10-15) by June or expect to pay 300% premium rates - locals book their family visits 6 months ahead

Use app-based metro tokens during Puja week - physical ticket counters have 45+ minute queues, but digital payments skip the lines entirely

Follow 'pandal maps' published by local newspapers like Anandabazar Patrika - they mark the award-winning installations and crowd-free timing for photography

Eat at local clubs during Puja - many neighborhood clubs serve elaborate traditional Bengali meals for ₹150-250, far better value and authenticity than tourist restaurants charging ₹800+

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming metro will run normally during peak Durga Puja days - services are often suspended or severely delayed, plan for rickshaws and walking

Booking pandal tours for daytime only - the most spectacular lighting and atmosphere happens after 7pm when crowds thin slightly

Trying to cover too many pandals per day - quality over quantity works better, 8-10 exceptional pandals are more memorable than rushing through 25 average ones