Cox's Bazar tourism carnival begins Nov 15

The "Cox's Bazar Tourism Carnival 2026", themed "A New Wave of Experiences", will be held across approximately 35 acres near Hotel Shaibal, overlooking the Bay of Bengal and a nearby pine grove, organisers announced at a press conference in the capital today.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) has initiated the carnival, billed by organisers as the country's first and largest beach carnival, while Spellbound Communications Limited will implement the three-month event, scheduled to continue until January 2027.

The organisers said the initiative was designed to transform Cox's Bazar from a conventional beach destination into a vibrant, year-round tourism hub offering diverse recreational, cultural and adventure experiences.

BPC Director Additional Secretary Md Gani Ul Azam, Spellbound Network Managing Director and CEO Mohammad Sadekul Arefin and Tickify Chief Operating Officer Abdullah Al Mamun spoke at the press meet. 
Speaking on the occasion, officials said Cox's Bazar had witnessed steady growth in domestic tourism in recent years, but international tourist arrivals had remained relatively limited.

They said the carnival would address a longstanding shortage of organised recreational activities, particularly evening entertainment, which visitors frequently identified as a major limitation of the country's most popular beach destination.

The carnival will feature cultural performances, live music, open-air cinema, international-standard sand sculptures, art exhibitions, traditional handicrafts, sporting competitions and a range of adventure activities.

A special beachfront musical programme titled "Wave of Music" will offer open-air entertainment, while international sand artists Paul and Remy Hoggard will participate in dedicated artistic events.

Visitors will also have access to go-karting, mini-golf, kayaking, virtual reality experiences, camping, circus performances, live basking and beach sports, including football, volleyball, handball and kabaddi.

A designated camping zone will offer overnight stays, campfires, hammocks, self-barbecue facilities, an open-air library and opportunities for stargazing through telescopes.

The carnival will also feature a wellness zone offering sunrise exercise and meditation sessions, alongside a dedicated children's entertainment area with art activities, games and safe recreational rides.

A food zone will showcase local and international cuisines, live cooking stations, barbecue facilities, ice cream parlours and juice corners.

Meanwhile, a market zone and craft village will provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs and artisans to display and sell clothing, jewellery, pottery and traditional handicrafts.

Special programmes will also be arranged to celebrate Victory Day, Christmas and New Year, offering additional attractions during the peak winter tourism season.

The organisers said the carnival was expected to generate employment, strengthen local businesses and create new income opportunities for small entrepreneurs, artisans and tourism service providers.

They expressed hope that the initiative would help reposition Cox's Bazar as a safe, sustainable, diverse and internationally competitive tourist destination.

As part of preparations for the event, Spellbound Communications Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tickify Limited, appointing the company as the carnival's exclusive online ticketing and experience booking partner.
Under the agreement, Tickify will provide digital ticketing, activity reservations, online payment facilities and technology-based visitor entry management services.

Online and offline ticketing and entry services are scheduled to begin on November 19, four days after the carnival's inauguration.

The organisers said the technology-enabled ticketing arrangements would facilitate visitor access, streamline bookings and improve the overall management of the large-scale event, reports BSS.