Kolkata's famed Park Street, the city's iconic party destination, witnessed a spectacular transformation into a bustling pedestrian carnival on Christmas Day. Revellers from across the city and its outskirts gathered in large numbers, marking the festive season with music, lights, and collective joy.
From City Landmarks to Festive Heart
The festive trail for many Kolkatans began early in the day at various popular spots across the metropolis. Families and friends explored destinations like Eco Park, Maidan, St. Paul's Cathedral, Alipore Zoo, and Bow Barracks. The celebration culminated in the evening as the crowd converged on the brightly lit Park Street.
The influx of people saw a significant surge after 4:30 PM, coinciding with the closing times of Alipore Zoo and St. Paul's Cathedral. Alipore Zoo recorded an attendance of 44,654 visitors on Christmas day. Officials noted this was lower than the typical festive footfall of 75,000 to 1 lakh, likely due to confusion over its weekly Thursday closure. Nevertheless, visitors enjoyed a pleasant experience. "The tiger, monkeys, and chimpanzee were all lively, and since it wasn't too crowded, we could sit and enjoy some light food on the open grounds," shared Aratrika Banerjee from Jadavpur, who visited with her children.
A Street Alive with Festive Spirit
By late afternoon, the atmosphere on Park Street began to electrify. Families arrived for Christmas lunches at the avenue's renowned restaurants. Pedestrians, adorned in Santa caps, reindeer horns, and sparkling attire, gradually filled the pavements. By 5:40 PM, vehicular traffic was halted, officially turning the street into a pedestrian-only celebration hub. The air was filled with the sounds of street performers, festive music, and the inviting aroma of seasonal delicacies.
Nainika Roy from New Town, enjoying an ice cream while sporting a Santa cap and devil's horns, encapsulated the day's mood. "We visited Eco Park in the morning and then came to Park Street in the evening. It's been a wonderful day," she said. The sentiment was echoed by Khushi Sharma from Howrah, who visited with her family of five after a trip to the Botanical Gardens. "It's heart-warming to see so many people out enjoying the season together," she added.
Celebrations Beyond the Avenue
The festive energy was not confined to Park Street alone. As evening set in, Christmas fairs across the city, including those at Sreebhumi, Patuli, and Kasba, buzzed with activity. At St. Paul's Cathedral, software engineer Partha Pratim Pal took selfies with his family, appreciating Kolkata's inclusive spirit. "This is Kolkata at its best, where all festivals are celebrated together," he remarked, soaking in the music, lights, and decorations.
Young professionals like Bornita Moulick and Ananya Singh, who spent their afternoon at Maidan and the cathedral, joined the Park Street revelry. "Kolkata looks its prettiest this time of the year, and we couldn't miss being part of it," Moulick stated. The Indian Museum also saw a steady stream of visitors, welcoming 7,979 guests on the day.
As night descended, Park Street glittered magnificently. Visitors hopped from one restaurant to another, sampling festive treats, enjoying live performances, and capturing photographs against the backdrop of illuminated trees and dazzling decorations. A similar vibrant scene played out at Patuli and Sreebhumi. Trina Chatterjee of Salt Lake, at the Sreebhumi fair, noted, "The crowd was massive, with a long queue just to enter the fair — it felt like a Saptami evening." The day concluded with Kolkata showcasing its unique tradition of community, celebration, and shared happiness.
