Bengal in bloom

As the brief Bengal winter settles in, the land transforms into a vibrant tapestry of colours. For gardening enthusiasts, this is the season for picking up those gardening shears and letting winter blooms flourish in your gardens. But for nature lovers from all walks, especially those without a green thumb or their own gardening space, winter is also synonymous with the cherished tradition of annual flower shows. 

From Kolkata’s historic shows at The Agri-Horticultural Society of India and The Bengal Rose Society to the cooler North Bengal climate where the display becomes less curated and more naturally resplendent, this guide explores the must-visit floral spectacles across the state. 

Come to Bengal and celebrate this fragrant and multicoloured exhibition.

The KMDA Flower Show 

This show is celebrated for its sheer variety. It goes beyond just winter flowers to include exotic succulents, bonsai, and medicinal plants. Its location near the Bengal Rowing Club makes it a favourite for morning walkers and families.

Date:  15–18 January 2026 (expected) 
Venue: Rabindra Sarovar
Nearest Metro: Kalighat Metro station

The KMC Central Flower Exhibition 

Mohar Kunja, originally called Citizen's Park, is the flagship venue for KMC's horticultural displays. The KMC Central Flower Exhibition is designed to showcase the best blooms grown at KMC’s own nurseries across its 16 boroughs.

Date: Mid-January 2026 (expected)
Venue: Mohar Kunja (next to the Victoria Memorial)
Nearest Metro: Rabindra Sadan Metro station

AHSI Annual Flower Show 

This annual show is a cornerstone of Kolkata’s winter heritage, having hosted the country’s first-ever organised flower and vegetable exhibition in 1828. Beyond just aesthetics, this show's early iterations are credited with introducing now-staple winter vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and tomatoes to the Indian palate, making it as much a culinary history event as a botanical one.

Date: 12–15 February 2026 (expected)
Venue: Agri-Horticultural Garden 
Nearest Metro: Jatin Das Park
Bus: Several buses heading toward Alipore Zoo or National Library stop right near the gates.

The All India Rose Show

Established to nurture the city’s passion for "The Queen of Flowers", The Bengal Rose Society is a prominent affiliate of the Indian Rose Federation. It has spent decades elevating the standards of rose cultivation in Bengal. Held at Lions Safari Park in Rabindra Sarovar, the society’s annual show this year will be significant as it's the 42nd All India Rose Convention.

Date:  3–5 January 2026
Venue: Rabindra Sarovar
Nearest Metro: Kalighat Metro station

Khirai

Unlike the curated flower shows of Kolkata, Khirai is a vast expanse of fertile farmland nestled between the Kangsabati and Khirai rivers. For generations, the villages here (most notably Dokanda) have been the primary source for the flowers sold at the historic Mullick Ghat flower market in Kolkata. It wasn't until the age of social media that this "hidden" agricultural hub transformed into a major seasonal tourism destination. 

Date: Peaks from mid-January to late February
Location: East Midnapore
Transport: Board a local train heading towards Panskura, Kharagpur or Midnapore from Howrah Station. Get down at Khirai Station (roughly a 2-hour journey). The flower fields start right behind the station platforms.

Chapra Flower Valley

Often called the “Second Khirai,” Chapra Flower Valley is a hidden gem in Nadia district. This vast rural landscape is home to large-scale seasonal flower cultivation, where local farmers grow blooms in sweeping expanses that form a vivid carpet of colour stretching for miles. Fields of gladiolus, marigold, tuberose (rajnigandha) and chrysanthemums dominate the scenery. Chapra is also a major floriculture hub, supplying flowers to markets across West Bengal.

Date: Peak blooming season runs from January to late February.
Location: Near Ranaghat, Nadia district
Transport: Take a local train from Sealdah Station to Ranaghat Junction, from where totos are available to reach the flower fields. Alternatively, you can drive from Kolkata via the Kalyani Expressway or NH12. The distance is approximately 85–90km, taking around three hours, depending on traffic.

You can also explore the nearby Dhantala area, known for similar flower cultivation.

Siliguri Annual Flower Show 

In North Bengal, the Siliguri Annual Flower Show (often referred to as the North Bengal Flower Festival) is a standout event. Organised by the Siliguri Horticultural Society (SHS) since 1984 it serves as the gateway to the floral diversity of the Himalayas.

Held in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal, it is vital platform for growers from the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the neighbouring state of Sikkim. While Kolkata shows excel in Dahlias and Roses, Siliguri is the place to see exotic orchids, rare Himalayan cacti, and vibrant succulents.

Date: 12–17 February 2026 (expected)
Venue: Baghajatin Park or the Kanchenjunga Stadium fairground
Transport: Take any train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station. From NJP, Siliguri town is a 15-minute taxi ride. You can also take a flight to Bagdogra (IXB) airport or an overnight bus to Siliguri from Esplanade.

Smaller nursery-led shows, like the Kalimpong Flower Festival are also common in March as the spring bloom begins.