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From cruise ships to carnivals, Kolkata offers something for every Christmas lover
Kolkata is mostly associated with the grandest of Durga Pooja celebrations in India, but a handful of people know that Kolkata is also the place where India's biggest Christmas carnival is held every year.
In December, winter is at its peak, and so are the celebrations of Christmas. Walking through the illuminated streets, watching Santa movies with your family, receiving self-design sweaters as gifts, and enjoying special meals and wines with your dearest ones; it's all so Christmassy. But you know what, travelling to a place which celebrates this festival with contagious zeal and fervour is an even better idea.
And if you do plan to enjoy Christmas by travelling to someplace where you can feel the true joy and buzz of Christmas, Kolkata is the place to be. Yes, you read it right. Most of us know Kolkata as a place where the biggest of Durga Pooja celebrations are held. However, what most of you don't know is that Kolkata hosts multiple Christmas events every year, including the Kolkata Christmas Carnival - one of the biggest Christmas carnivals in India.
Are you still confused about our recommendation for Christmas celebrations this year? Just keep on reading and you’ll get all the answers to your questions, good enough to have you make up your mind about visiting Kolkata and getting first-hand experience of various Christmas events in the city.
Kolkata Christmas Carnival is an extremely popular public event, especially for Christmas lovers. Visitors, including locals and travellers from other parts of India, flock to Kolkata to be a part of this annual carnival in huge numbers. Started by the Tourism Department of the state of West Bengal in 2011, Kolkata Christmas Festival is held annually during December in Allen Park, Park Street, Kolkata.
During this carnival, Park Street is converted into a walking street so that the visitors can walk hassle-free as they witness and soak in everything that’s going on around them. Kolkata Christmas Carnival has several fun games and activities for adults and children alike including balloon darts, puppet shows, cupcake decoration competitions, food and drinks stalls, and much more. Besides, there are several live music performances by popular Indian bands and musicians, which are all held at Allen Park. Just to give you an idea, renowned artists and bands like Calcutta Symphony Orchestra, Usha Uthup, and Orient Express have already performed live in this carnival in the past. So watch out for such big names in the Kolkata Christmas Carnival.
Getting there is as easy as it gets. Buses, taxis, and autos are easily available from anywhere in and around Kolkata to reach the venue of this Christmas fest, which is just about 5 km from Kolkata.
Dates: December 21-December 23, and 27th December
How cool is the idea of celebrating Christmas Eve on a cruise ship? Well, why wonder when you can experience it this Christmas? And no, you don't even have to look beyond Kolkata to enjoy such an experience, thanks to one of the most happening boat parties being organised by Vivada Cruise on the waters of The Ganges.
This fancy cruise party will let you enjoy the beautiful sunset views of the river and the vibrant city of Kolkata, while you are treated to sumptuous food, exotic drinks, and some enticing live music.
This cruise boat Christmas party by Vivada Cruise will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will go on till after midnight. So unless you're awaiting Santa this Christmas eve, Vivada Cruise is where you should be at 8:00 p.m. on 24th December. And guess what, you get to enjoy it all on a cruise boat at just ₹2625/person!
How to reach the venue?
Arrive at Millennium Park in Kolkata and reach Vivada Jetty there.
Dates: December 24, 8:00 p.m.
Do you like melodic techno music and also like to party hard? If yes, then Kolkata is the place to be as it hosted the most exciting electronic show of the year starring the global superstars Artur and Batish from Ukraine, last Christmas! This popular duo of techno music art from Kyiv rocked the stage last Christmas eve.
The concert took place on December 24 at Calcutta Cricket & Football Club Open Grounds, Kolkata. Starting at ₹2000/person, it was a cracker of an evening as the artists made the audience dance to their tunes with thousands of other techno fans jumping in ecstasy.
So call upon your techno-loving friends and get set for a musical Christmas night to remember.
How to reach the venue?
Arrive at Ballygunge from your respective location via bus, taxi, or auto, and walk into Calcutta Cricket & Football Club Open Grounds.
Christmas is so much about kids, Santa, stories, presents, games and chocolates. Dare we forget to mention a Christmas event in Kolkata that's most likely to be very popular among children? Yes, we are talking about the Stone Paper Scissors carnival in the 'City of Joy'.
Organised keeping in mind what Christmas means for children, Stone Paper Scissors carnival has so much to bring out the inner, hidden child even in the adults. There are fun games, activities, and workshops including life-size Jenga, trampoline, rock climbing, face painting, chocolate fountain, PubG shooting game, and more. This kids' carnival will be organised at The Stadel, Salt Lake, Kolkata. So if you're close by and are thinking of putting a smile on your little one's face, you should get to booking yourself tickets for this event.
How to reach the venue?
Arrive at the Salt Lake stadium to find the entrance to The Stadel.
Dates: December 23-December 24
December 23-December 24
Surely the word "Barracks" must have given you the hint that this place has some connection with the erstwhile military. About 100 years ago, during World War 1, these barracks served as accommodation for soldiers. Later, these barracks were turned into a housing community for Anglo Indians by the Calcutta Improvement Trust.
And while these might seem boring and lonely for most of the year, this ancient colony of red-brick buildings simply comes alive during Christmas, thanks to the grand Christmas celebrations that are held here every year.
Bow Barracks in central Kolkata happens to be the only place in the city that hosts open-air dance parties during Christmas. Yes, you read it right! Not just that, Bow Barracks is also known to be a hotspot for many other events, including short football matches, games for kids, activities for the elderly, and more.
The highlight, however, is Christmas Eve at Bow Barracks. That's when the entire place gets draped in colourful Canopies of lights, every building is illuminated, and local carol singers entertain the crowd. As for children, they can enjoy taking a ride in merry-go-rounds, getting themselves clicked with 'Santa Claus', and relishing the yummy cakes and pastries at the street side stalls.
Bow Barracks is also known for the live music performances by popular artists and local bands which create an immersive festive mood, making people dance to the beats under the open sky!
And if you do not enjoy dancing or music that much, just take a walk around the neighbourhood and take in the festive vibes.
How to reach the venue:
Bow Barracks is located in central Kolkata, next to the backyard of the Bowbazar Police Station. You can either take a bus towards CR Avenue or you can take the underground Metro Railway, get down at Central station, and walk down to Bow Barracks.
Dates:
December 24th and 25th
Apart from these, several other Christmas specials are held in Kolkata including the must-visit for rap music fans X-Mas Night with Raftaar, a lavish terrace party at Ozora, Shantipally, Christmas Eve Buffet at Shamiyana in Taj City Centre, and more.
And if it’s the first time you're travelling to Kolkata, there’s a lot you can see and experience, of course, besides the Kolkata Christmas events. Kolkata’s expansive gardens, well-maintained lakes, British-era buildings, museums that take you back in time, and iconic buildings will leave you in an awe of this city. So, put on your Christmas boots and come to the City of Joy in December!
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