kolkata-lights-up-with-christmas-festivities-on-park-street

The excitement that Christmas brings with it perfectly blends with the City of Joy. 

 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday inaugurated ‘Kolkata Christmas Festival’ at Allen Park in Park Street area.

 

“The festival will be held from December 19 to December 30. On December 24 and December 25, there will be no vehicles in the area. Artists from different corners of the country will participate here. We all know that Kolkata is the cultural capital of the country,” the Chief Minister said while inaugurating the festival.

 

Chief Minister Banerjee said that she participates in Christmas festivities every year and Christmas to her means several things including, peace, love, joy, affection and unity.

 

“To commemorate the essence of the Christmas Festival, the entire stretch of Park Street, Allen Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral Church and adjoining areas will suitably be illuminated with proper branding during the period. 

 

This year marks the 14th edition of the Kolkata Christmas Festival in collaboration with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata Police, Information & Cultural Affairs Department and Apeejay Surrendra Group.

 

The festival, which began in 2011, has grown in popularity over the years. 

 

There is a lot to experience both for the city-dwellers and tourists in the Christmas weekend. 

 

One can experience the magic which Shujaat Husain Khan creates through his live performances. The evening promises to strike the right chord. 

 

Kolkata is another city where people hold deep love for textiles and handicrafts. If you are one of them then don’t miss Karigari, their award-winning artisans will showcase traditional artworks, textiles and also endangered folk arts. 

 

Christmas in Kolkata is another special celebration. This year, the Kolkata Christmas Festival began on December 19 and will continue until December 30. 

 

One will have to visit Park Street to entirely immerse oneself in the holiday spirit, which has long been the hub of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. 

 

The entire street is adorned with fairy lights, and Allen Park is beautifully decorated with Christmas installations and nativity scenes. 

 

If textiles and handicrafts are your jam, you won’t want to miss Karigari. The 4th floor of the Kolkata Centre for Creativity will transform into a vibrant art market celebrating India’s rich craft heritage. 

 

One can visit there from December 19-22, 11 AM – 7 PM

 

Location: Dipak Road, Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Anandapur, Adarsha Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107 KCC, 4th Floor

 

An musical evening with Sitar Maestro Shujaat Husain Khan

 

If one loves music then this is the most ideal place to visit during the Christmas week. 

 

The manner in which Indian classical music can captivate you no other thing can. 

 

Khan can captivate you with his extraordinary talent on the sitar. He will perform traditional ragas that reveal the intricate beauty and profound depth of Indian classical music. 

 

He carries a rich musical lineage as a dedicated disciple of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan. 

 

Reserve December 20, as the day from 6.30 PM onwards

 

Location: Kolkata Centre For Creativity, Dipak Road, Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Anandapur, Adarsha Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107

 

Theatre lovers need not worry! Don’t miss out on Nandikar’s 41st National Theatre Festival, where captivating plays await you. Experience Aaro Ekta Lear (Bengali) by Anjan Dutt Productions, then Manush (Hindi/Bengali), directed by the talented Sohini Sengupta, and enjoy the mesmerising Madhabi (Bengali) by Swatilekha Sengupta. 

 

From: December 20-25

 

Location: Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata

 

Participate in all the fun at the Park Street 

 

"Boro Din"— this is how Christmas is known in the City of Joy, which translates as “the Big Day”. 

 

The festive spirit is evident through Christmas bazaars, traditional cakes and goodies from historic bakeries, and a Christmas Carnival gets depicted through enchanting illuminations and beautifully decorated churches. 

 

The best way to immerse oneself in the holiday atmosphere is to visit Park Street, which has long been the hub of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in Kolkata. 

 

The entire street is adorned with fairy lights, and the small Allen Park is decorated with Christmas installations and nativity scenes. Evenings during this festive period feature musical performances. 

 

Save the date: December 19-30.

 

Location: Park Street