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Christmas is celebrated with the same fervour as Durga Puja in Kolkata. In fact, in the City of Joy, Christmas is known as "Boro Din," meaning the Big Day. Kolkata goes all out for the holiday season, from Christmas bazaars to cakes and sweets in pre-Independence era bakeries to the city's Christmas Carnival with beautiful illuminations and gaily decorated churches. Here are some ways to celebrate the Christmas weekend in Kolkata.
The best way to steep yourself in festive spirit is to hit up Park Street which has long been the epicentre of Christmas and New Year's celebrations. The state government has held a Christmas Carnival on a part of the road immediately off Chowringhee for the previous few years, which lasts until New Year's Day. The entire street is decked out in fairy lights, and Allen Park is decked out in Christmas installations and cribs. Evenings feature musical performances. Anglo-Indian, Parsi, and Chinese families set up food stalls and serve home-cooked savouries. Local bakeries put up stalls along the sidewalk. Kolkata Christmas Festival 2023 will be celebrated in two parts. The Allen Park Festival will take place from December 21 to 23. The Park Street Festival will happen from December 26 to 30. Check here for the daily schedule of performances.
Visit the churches of Kolkata during Christmas for prayer ceremonies and midnight mass. The most popular is St Paul's Cathedral. It was designed in 1847 in the Gothic Revival style with Indo-Saracenic elements. The cathedral and surrounding area are illuminated at Christmas to herald the beautiful Anglican ceremony. Other popular churches include St John's, St Andrew's, St Stephen's, the Portuguese Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Mission Church. Everyone is welcome to join the prayers. However, some churches may have limited seating, so arrive early.
Deck the hulls with holiday cheer as you set sail for Kolkata’s first ever Sailing Christmas Brunch on December 25 in a restored Colonial-era paddle steamer. Brace yourselves for a captivating cruise, an elaborate Christmas brunch spread, and live entertainment. The Barge Company has launched a paddle steamer which was originally built in 1945 in Scotland by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton, and commissioned by the East India Company and its relevant subsidiaries. It was one of the four vessels ordered by the Joint Steamer Companies (India General Navigation and Railways Company (IGNRC) and River Steam Navigation Company) during the British era and is now the last surviving paddle steamer in India. More about the paddle steamer here. Book tickets here.
Call +91 98309 20071 if you want to book a personalised sailing experience with The Barge Company.
A river running through a metro city. Paris has that, as does London, Amsterdam, Bangkok... and Kolkata. When you are in the City of Joy, make sure you explore the legendary Hooghly River. Experience a fun-filled night on the Hooghly with Vivada's Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise on the 25th night. It will be an electrifying party on the MV Ahalya while gazing at the stars, and enjoying a gala buffet dinner with music. Boarding and disembarking will be from Millennium Park. The cruise will sail between both the Howrah, and second Hooghly Bridge. More details here.
Timings: December 24, 8PM-December 25, 12AM
Book your seats here.
Head to the ghats, cross the Circular Railway line and enter the white washed portals of the land-based reception of the floating hotel, Polo Floatel, which lies docked beyond, on the Hooghly River. Probably the first floating hotel in India, the Floatel originally opened in 2007 and caught people's fancy. But then owing to various reasons, it was shut down. Now, acquired by Hotel Polo Towers Group, a flagship hotel brand from north-eastern India, the hotel has got a thorough makeover. Rechristened Polo Floatel, it is now an upscale full-service hotel, including an all-day multi-cuisine restaurant, The Bridge - Bistro Bar. Tucked between the landmark Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) and the Second Hooghly Bridge (Vidyasagar Setu), the hotel offers a panoramic view of the Hooghly River and the opposite banks. For the Christmas weekend, the hotel has laid out several offerings. Sip, savour delectable food, and sing along to carol music at a Christmas Eve dinner filled with the perfect blend of flavours and festive tunes. Available on 24th December, 8pm onwards.
Or sign up with your gang for the Sailbrush Soiree, a Sip and Paint event happening on Christmas Eve in collaboration with Art Rickshaw. This will be on 23rd & 24th December, from 3pm-6pm. To book your spot, call +91 90073 30363.
Get into the holiday groove with live saxophone, flavourful mulled wine, and a feast fit for the season. From savory delights to mulled wine nights, their Christmas Gala Buffet lunch and dinner has it all from 23rd to 25th December. To know more, call: 033 22137777.
Check here for more.
You don't have to be a member (or know one) to walk in. The Calcutta Polo Club, established in 1861-62, offers riding classes and polo sessions to guests. And all that in the midst of vast manicured lawns with the magnificent Victoria Memorial in the background. On Christmas weekend, they are lining up a day-long event for animal lovers. Enjoy the company of horses with dogs, baked goods, delicious food, photoshoots, horse riding, and feeding and petting animals. The fees are Rs1,000 per person and an additional Rs700 for riding a horse and playing archery. To book, call 9038043590 or check here. More about the event here.
While you are there, consider booking a day trip to avail of stable tours, rides and polo practice. And do visit the polo shop and their history gallery. More about the club here.
