Kolkata plays Santa for non-residents returning for Christmas, serving them cakes and memories

Experience the vibrant Christmas celebrations in Kolkata, filled with lights, cakes, music, and a spirit of inclusivity and joy.

There are two kinds of Kolkatans living outside the city: those who visit home during Durga Puja, and those who come during Christmas, and the reason for their return during these festivals is rarely religious and is mostly to soak in the celebratory spirit.

Needless to say, that the City of Joy, at the moment, is playing Santa Claus to hundreds of visitors, handing them bagful of childhood memories and also opportunities to relive those days as they spend time at their favourite Christmas locations.

“Walking through the illuminated Bow Barracks, enjoying the delicious cakes of Barua and Nahoum, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral — these are the most exciting parts of Christmas in Kolkata, they make you revisit your yesteryears. As a visual storyteller, I love to capture the colourful scenes and the expressions of kids,” said Shiladitya Chattoraj, an HR professional posted in Bhubaneswar.

He added: “Kolkata keeps on evolving. There is a new pattern of illumination on Park Street and the places around are brighter. Many new cafes and restaurants have added spice to the festival and the newly-started street music culture is also very exciting and promising. On the other hand, you see less of trams and yellow taxis — that’s painful.”

According to Ananya Maitra, a senior finance professional based in Mumbai, Kolkata looks brighter than ever this Christmas. The city officially got into the celebratory mode on December 19 when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the annual Christmas festival on Park Street.

“Every year the city decks up even more. Earlier the lighting was primarily concentrated in Park Street and Bow Barracks, now we find Christmas lights across the length and breadth of the city. As if this is a winter Diwali. Even in the most unlikely places we find lights lining bridges and roads and pavements,” Ms. Maitra said.

She emphasised: “No other place celebrates Christmas like Kolkata. In other cities, it is mostly a religious festival, whereas in Kolkata, Christmas, like other festivals, is a celebration where people across the religions enjoy in abandon.” Her friend Sreelekha Maitra, an advertising professional based also in Mumbai and currently visiting Kolkata, agreed: “I keep coming back every Christmas simply because it’s a city that knows how to celebrate any occasion with spirit and fervour. Festivities happen right on the streets and they include all irrespective of religion. And, of course, there are perennial favourites like Nahoum’s fruit cake, lights of Park Street, the Allen Park carnival, multiple music and cultural fests.”