Christmas in Kolkata is no longer confined to its traditional epicentre on Park Street. The festive spirit has blossomed across the city, creating new hubs of celebration that draw crowds from every corner. From the bustling service road in Lake Town to the historic lanes of Bow Barracks, communities are crafting their own unique Yuletide experiences.
The Rise of New Festive Hubs
On Christmas Eve, the service road connecting Lake Town and Sreebhumi on VIP Road was a vibrant spectacle. Thronged with young revellers and visitors from across Kolkata, the area was alive with fairy lights, bustling food stalls, and the melodic backdrop of Christmas carols. This shift marks a significant change in the city's festive geography.
For years, Park Street was the undisputed heart of Christmas celebrations. However, over the last few years, the festival has unfolded in diverse neighbourhoods. Areas like Lake Town, Patuli, Bow Barracks, Serampore, and Bandel have firmly established themselves on the festive map. Maria Fernandes, a member of the committee organising the Kolkata Christmas Festival, notes, "Park Street still remains Kolkata's hub, drawing crowds year after year. But the festival grew as Kolkata expanded, spreading into satellite towns and newly developed neighbourhoods."
Community Spirit and Accessible Celebrations
This decentralization has made the festivities more accessible and intimate. Gunjan Saraf, a Lake Town resident, highlights the change: "Earlier, Christmas meant braving traffic jams and huge crowds on Park Street. Now the celebrations happen at our doorstep. People from south and central Kolkata come here because it is less crowded and well connected. It almost feels like Park Street, with more space and a good crowd." The popular Lake Town–Sreebhumi Christmas carnival is organised by the Sreebhumi Sporting Club.
Similarly, Patuli now attracts revellers from across the city, while central Kolkata's Bow Barracks offers a deeply community-led experience. Built in 1918 for World War I soldiers, the red-brick complex later housed displaced Anglo-Indian families. "Christmas in Bow Barracks has always been about community," said resident Angela Govindraj. "People come not just to see the lights, but to experience how we celebrate together."
Historic Towns and Widespread Decor
The festive expansion reaches beyond the city's immediate confines. Towns with colonial heritage like Serampore and Bandel are asserting their place. This year, the government scaled up celebrations in Serampore, a former Danish enclave. Giridhari Sha, chairman of Serampore Municipality, stated, "We treat Christmas as an investment in the future of the town." A highlight was the special illumination of the compound of St. Olav's Church, built in 1805 by Colonel Bie, under the guidance of Reverend Anup Mondal.
Back in Kolkata, the festive decor is widespread. Elgin Road, pockets of New Town, Entally, Maniktala, and Behala are decked up. Almost all major malls host scheduled Christmas programmes, and a special Christmas market on Lindsay Street continues to draw shoppers. This city-wide embrace signifies a Christmas celebration that is both deeply rooted in tradition and dynamically evolving with Kolkata's growth.
