Spend A Very Calcuttan Christmas In Kolkata At Park Street

The typical response to "What are you doing for Christmas?" is "I'll be going to Park Street." And what do you do? Simply walk about, admire the lights, eat, drink, and have fun. Christmas is called "Borodin" in Bengali. The name, which literally translates to "The Big Day", comes from the winter solstice. As far back as I can recall, Christmas has been celebrated in a very public and people-orientated manner rather than as a family gathering. In Kolkata, Christmas isn't simply a Christian holiday; it's something everyone celebrates outside. And we have just the list of things to do, where to go and what to eat.

The Kolkata Christmas Festival, organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, is a carnival in Park Street that offers a delightful holiday experience. The highlight of this carnival is strolling through the park amid the festive decor and lighting with your family and buddies. Explore cute Christmasy products sold by hawkers, featuring Devil horns, Santa caps, oversized glasses, and balloons. The carnival at Allen Park also hosts a variety of performances, including dance, music, and choir presentations. Notable artists like Usha Uthup, Barefoot, Krosswindz, and Orient Express have graced the KCF stage over the years. Every year, Park Street comes to life with spectacular lighting, Christmas carols, unique choir performances, food booths, and live music from the city's most prominent artists and bands. This year too, there will be food stalls across the length of Park Street and at Allen Park. 

We don't have Christmas dinners with turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and peas and family gatherings but we do have friends gathering to enjoy the murals delineating the fables on Park Street, eat from the numerous food stalls specifically built for the purpose, or enjoy speciality Christmas food in age-old restaurants. It is a time to celebrate the birth of "Jishu Khrishto" (Jesus Christ, as he is known in my language), and it is a very public occasion where you can drink alcohol and indulge in cake and candies.

A special thanks to Trincas for bringing the ideal Christmas spirit to the heart of Park Street. The vintage charm of a typical Kolkata Christmas pervades the entire place. Christmas decorations in famous red and gold, candy canes adorning every nook and cranny while you sip on a Cinnamon-Apple Julep or a LIIT. Don't forget to savour the Christmas Specials, which include locally made smokey bandel cheese wrapped in a crispy chicken breast fillet and served with slow-cooked gravy and garlic-infused greens. Thanks to Mr Anand Puri, Trincas is always in the best mood! From bringing in every generation to marrying old-school Calcutta charm with today's bustle, celebrating Christmas in Park Street at Trincas has to be on your list every year!

The Kolkata Christmas Parade is another exciting event to witness. Imagine vibrant floats, happy Santa Clauses distributing goodies, and actors wearing festive costumes. It's a lot of fun and excellent for kids and families. There's a lot to see if you're an art lover. The neighbourhood is given an additional artistic touch by the numerous exhibitions and imaginative installations that local artists frequently place along the road.

Remember to purchase a Santa hat or a lit-up headband so you may pose for the ideal Christmas photo or walk the stretch. You won't see this side of Kolkata every day, so dress to impress and wear your red dress. A trip to the famous St Paul's Cathedral is a must if you want to experience the distinctive Christmas flavour of Kolkata. One of the city's oldest churches and a symbol of Kolkata's Christmas, the church is located near Park Street. You will be enthralled whether you come here for the Christmas Eve midnight service or just want to take in the architecture. As the city transforms into a wonderland, the Kolkata Christmas festival brings out the jolly mood and continues till the year’s end, ringing in the new year.

It is recommended to use the metro and public transport such as buses and cabs. The crowds getting larger by the minute. Do not panic. You can always check the the officila social media pages of the Kolkata Police to get an idea when the streets are shut down and which way the traffic has been diverted to.