The North American Bengali Conference (NABC) 2026, the largest annual cultural gathering of Bengalis living outside the subcontinent, will be held from July 2 to July 5, 2026, at the Westchester County Centre, New York. Organisers expect 5,000–6,000 participants from across North America and several other countries to attend the four-day convention.
Delegates and performers are set to travel from Canada, the UK, Bangladesh, the UAE, Qatar, Australia and New Zealand, turning the event into a global meeting point for Bengali culture, music, literature and community life.
This year’s edition marks a shift from NABC’s usual three-day format to a four-day programme, a move organisers say allows for deeper engagement and a more relaxed cultural experience.
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A four-day musical arc, from Kumar Sanu to Vishal–Shekhar
The Opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 2, with a concert by Kumar Sanu, setting the tone for the extended celebration. Friday’s programme will feature classical and instrumental performances by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pandit Tanmoy Bose, alongside a tribute to R D Burman, reimagined through contemporary arrangements.
Saturday is expected to draw one of the largest crowds, with performances by Kaushiki Chakraborty, Shantanu Moitra, and a special return of kirtan to the NABC stage after several years.
The Sunday event will culminate with a headline performance by Vishal–Shekhar.
Large-scale dance productions involving 80–100 performers will perform on the opening ceremony, Saturday night spectacular and the grand closing ceremony.
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Focus on new voices and Pan-American audiences
Speaking to News Ei Samay, Biswa Bhattacharya, Vice President of CAB (Cultural Association of Bengal), said the selection process consciously balances established names with newer artists from Bengal who may not yet have extensive commercial exposure.
“Bengalis in North America follow platforms like Indian Idol and Zee shows closely. They want to see these performers live, and artists also value performing before a Pan-American audience”, Bhattacharya said.
According to him, the scale of NABC, where Bengalis from across the continent gather in one place, offers performers a unique platform not available elsewhere.
A slower, more immersive cultural experience
Bhattacharya said the most significant change this year lies in the structure of the programme, not just the scale.
“We are designing this as an experience,” he said. “There will be music, recitations, conversations — the things Bengalis love. Between shows, there will be time to pause, talk over tea, and then move to the next event.”
Each programme, he added, has been built around a distinct theme, with a clear narrative arc. One such event will explore folk traditions, which will be based on the theme of "roots" that aims to bring together different styles and forms of folk culture from different parts of India and present them through a single creative framework.
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Theatre, films, literature and awards return
Beyond music and dance, NABC 2026 will feature theatre productions, literary discussions, book launches, a film festival and awards ceremony (NABC IFFA), fashion showcases, food festivals, business seminars and college reunions. Organisers are also reviving a formal awards ceremony, last held in 2016.
Mr. Bhattacharya further said that performances will include a special presentation of 'Teen Bhuboner Pare' by Poulomi Bose, daughter of the late Soumitra Chattopadhyay, along with many other theatre artists.
Organisers say further details on schedules, sponsorships and registrations will be announced in the coming months.
