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5 Interesting Things To Do In Kolkata During Christmas

¡Felices fiestas! Christmas casts a magical spell over the people of Kolkata and Bengalis across the state. As there has been a strong British influence, the festival has become a part of us for many years.

The city has multiple churches, cathedrals, and countless other places that invite visitors with warmth. During this time, almost all these sites are doused with dazzling lights and a variety of ornamental decorations, creating a completely different ambiance.

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The weather remains perfect with the chilly evenings that invite you to explore the streets lined with stalls offering hot coffee, freshly baked muffins, and other savory snacks. A lot more things are there for you to try out.

In this article, you will get to know about the following things to do in Kolkata during Christmas,

  1. Drop by the Allen Park’s Christmas Market
  2. Experience St. Paul’s Cathedral
  3. Join the Park Street Celebrations
  4. Party at the Bow Barracks
  5. Savor the Christmas Cuisines

Let’s see each of these points in detail.

1. Drop by the Allen Park’s Christmas Market

As Christmas approaches, every one of us gets excited about the essence of the festival, decorations, gatherings, and food. A visit to Allen Park’s Christmas Market can cover all your decorative and shopping needs.

The market is a festive wonderland, filled with everything from tiny trinkets to large Christmas trees and handmade ornaments. The vibrant, colorful decorations capture the attention of visitors, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. You’ll find a variety of Christmas aesthetics, perfect for any themed celebration.

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Allen Park’s market offers unique items that make perfect souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. Additionally, the market vendors prepare delicious Christmas treats, so be sure to indulge in some festive goodies before you leave.

2. Experience St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Located on Cathedral Road, St. Paul’s Cathedral is a must-visit, especially during the holiday season. This awe-inspiring structure truly comes alive during Christmas. The entire church complex is adorned with lights of various colors that make the cathedral glow beautifully.

Inside, the decorations create a joyous and tranquil ambiance. Every corner of the cathedral is illuminated by the warm radiance of candles, accompanied by prayers, carols, and divine vibes.

After lighting a candle and offering a prayer, take a stroll around the area. You can also attend the midnight mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, an experience that is especially memorable if it’s your first time.

As Christmas approaches, the air is filled with festive cheer. To enhance the celebration, St. Paul’s Cathedral hosts a Christmas Concert. The harmonious blend of hymns and music creates a symphony that fills the air with the spirit of the season. Attend this incredible music concert and soak in the exhilaration while you visit with friends or family.

3. Join the Park Street Celebrations

Christmas celebrations at Park Street

Park Street is the heart of Christmas festivities in Kolkata, radiating joy and excitement well before December 24th. The entire street is adorned with fairy lights and holiday-themed illuminations, creating a magical atmosphere. It is known as the Kolkata Christmas Festival.

As night falls, the place transforms into a dreamy wonderland with its dazzling lights and festive decorations lining the alleys. Walking down the road amidst the cheerful crowd fills you with a thrilling sense of celebration.

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Immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit! One of the highlights is the magnificent Christmas tree at the Park Street and Camac Street intersection. This towering tree is beautifully decorated with snowflakes, fairy lights, bells, candy canes, stars, bows, and a variety of other ornaments, making it a true spectacle.

Music is an integral part of the celebrations. In the evenings, youth bands and church groups perform enchanting choral pieces, filling the air with melodious tunes. Additionally, renowned performers from Kolkata take the stage to share their Christmas melodies, adding to the festive ambiance.

Don’t forget to grab some festive accessories like snowflake headbands and Santa caps. Bargain your way to a good deal and wear them to fully embrace the revelry.

4. Party at the Bow Barracks

Want to enjoy something unique? Bow Barracks is the place to be! Once a military barrack, it now hosts an open-air street party during the Christmas season. The place is situated in Central Kolkata.

The red brick buildings lining the streets create the perfect festive ambiance. Here, everyone is welcomed with open arms, making you feel right at home. You will feel a sense of community, with residents and visitors alike sharing love and happiness.

Christmas at Bow Barracks is truly special. It has a rustic charm, with the aroma of home-baked cakes and cookies mingling with the crisp winter air. The streets are adorned with twinkling lights and decorations, while classic rock and roll tunes by Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan fill the air.

There is music, dance, food, pals, and way more. It is like a proper Christmas party and feast with classic Christmas food and homemade wine. The party is for everybody interested and goes on until morning. This is an experience you don’t want to miss!

5. Savor the Christmas Cuisines

Xmas is also about food, just like all the other festivals, and the people of Bengal have a deep appreciation for diverse cuisines. Kolkata’s numerous restaurants offer a wide array of delicacies. Get into one of them to savor it all.

However, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Christmas is cakes. For some great baked goodies, head straight to Flurys. You’ll also find many other bakeries offering delightful cakes and pastries.

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Then there are places where you will get proper Christmas branches, lunch, and dinner. If you are curious about the authentic palm cake, you will get that as well.

Up next, are the freshly baked cookies, muffins, duck roast, and turkey. List the list of food items goes on. Pick the one of your choice and celebrate the festivities.

It is really a Merry Christmas in the City of Joy. People come out wearing lovely outfits with their beloved, friends, or family to look at the shimmery lights, decorations, and events of the celebration—the scent of ecstasy overflows in the surroundings.

Plan an outing during this time of the winter and hit the road to escape to all the possible places. Engross in the events, party hard; making memories of the good days.

Happy Holidays!


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