Top things to do in Kolkata during Christmas!
During Christmas, Kolkata’s Park Street ushers in the merry vibes every year. With the festive jingles lingering in the air and the stars twinkling overhead, this long stretch has garnered lovers from far and wide.
The Christmas Festival lights up the bustling Park Street. The streets are filled with themed decorations and twinkling LED lights sparkle after sundown. The streets chime with Christmas carols and a beautiful Christmas tree decked in festive decor.
The winter season in Kolkata has a lot of festive things to do. Kolkata is the best place to be in India, during Christmas. Let us have a look at some of the fun stuff you can do in Kolkata, during Christmas.
Visit some Churches
Kolkata has many Churches, and Christmas in Kolkata can never be complete without a visit to a Church. Kolkata is home to churches belonging to different Christian sects and dating back to the Colonial days. Besides the major Protestant and Catholic churches, there are lesser-known ones belonging to the Armenian, Syrian and Greek Orthodox orders. Since they are scattered all over the city, you can join a group tour or chart out an itinerary of your own.
St Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata
Arguably the most iconic church in Kolkata, St. Paul’s Cathedral is a grand statement in Indo-Gothic architecture. The shrine, dating back to 1847, is regarded as the first Episcopal Church in Asia. With a length of 247 feet, a width of 81 feet, and measuring 114 feet at the transept, this cathedral stands as the biggest church in Kolkata. What’s more, it also boasts a 201 feet high tower while its flagstaff is 175 feet in height. But more than the size, it is the artistic beauty of the structure that attracts the attention of visitors, making it one of the most popular places to visit in Kolkata.
The main hall of the cathedral is furnished with tastefully carved wooden pews and chairs. Intricately designed stained glass windows, fascinating floral patterns on the walls, and two frescoes crafted in Florentine Renaissance style enhance the beauty of the church interior. The best time to visit the cathedral is on Christmas Eve when it is decked up in a way that matches the festive spirit of the season.
St Thomas Church
On 11 September 1841, Mgr. Carew laid the foundation stone of St. Thomas’ Church. It was Blessed on 5 May 1842, Ascension day and officially opened to the public on 8 September 1842. It is the second parish established by Mgr. Carew in the City of Kolkata in 1844. The church is located in one of the poshest entertainment areas in the city. While you are in this neighbourhood, do not forget to check out some of the most famous restaurants in Kolkata located here. Park Street is close by, visit this Church and then have some great dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.
St John’s Church
Once the Anglican Cathedral of Calcutta, St. John’s Church dates back to 1787. It boasts of being the third oldest church in the city, and it preserves its history and heritage with care. That’s not all! St. John’s was among the first public buildings to be constructed by the East India Company after they made Kolkata the capital of British India. Since the building was built using stones and bricks, it came to be known as Pathure Girija (Stone Church) among the residents.
The square structure of the church is designed according to the Neo-Classical architectural style. Among the main highlights of the shrine is the stone spire that has a height of 174 feet. A giant clock adorns the spire that is wound every day. Another attraction of the church is the famous Last Supper painting by British artist, Johann Zoffany, which you can see on the left side of the altar. Since the church stands on a piece of land that was once a graveyard, several graves can be seen inside the complex even today. The grave of Job Charnock, the founder of the city of Kolkata, can be seen here. The Black Hole Monument and the Second Rohilla War Memorial are the other major things worth seeing in the church complex.
St James Church
St James’s Church, built-in 1868, was designed by Walter B Granville, was also responsible for designing several other colonial landmarks in Kolkata, including the General Post Office and the Kolkata High Court. The original St James’s Church had been built in 1823 in Nebotola Lane near Amherst Street; it had several structural defects, and over the years, had begun to fall apart until 1855, when the church decided to close it. The church on AJC Road (earlier known as Lower Circular Road) was built to replace this earlier one.
Known popularly as ‘Joda Girja’ (‘The Church of The Pair’ — the ‘pair’ referring to the twin spires), St James’s is an Anglican church. It’s a large Gothic building, plastered inside and out, painted beige, with a trim in white and sloping red roofs. Outside, there are well-kept gardens, tall trees, and other parish buildings within the same compound. On either side are two important schools: Pratt Memorial and St James’s School.
Going Sightseeing
There are a lot of sightseeing places in Kolkata, and visiting them in winter can be great. With the temperature being cool and with no risks of rain, sightseeing can be fun and enjoyable. Some of the fun sightseeing places are:
Eco Park
The New Town Eco Park is a sprawling urban park, covering an area of 480 ac, and has a waterbody with an island as well. The park is one of the biggest in India and is located close to the International Airport. It was inaugurated on December 29, 2012.
The park is extremely well maintained, making it a visual treat with some unique attractions inside it. Some say that you cannot possibly see the entire park in one trip. The park has been carefully divided into three parts, namely Ecological Zones, such as wetlands, grasslands, and forest; theme gardens, and open spaces; and urban recreational spaces.
Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, WestBengal, India, which was built between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria(1819–1901) and is now a museum and tourist destination under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.
The Memorial has a huge garden which is great for visiting on a Winter Morning.
Have Christmas Cake
Christmas is the time for cakes. Many bakery outlets in the city bake christmas specific cakes.
Popular outlets include:
1. Flurys
2. The French Loaf
3. Kathleen Confectioners
4. Mio Amore
5. Nahoum’s and Sons
Christmas Carnival, Park Street
The Kolkata Christmas festival and Christmas Carnival at Park Street are the best parts of the Christmas celebrations at Kolkata. From December 25 to New Year’s Eve, Park Street looks like a galaxy. Thousands of colourful lights, which make the whole environment cheerful and magical.
Do visit Kolkata during Christmas.
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