Kolkata Christmas Festival

Kolkata Christmas Festival, held annually during the month of December in Kolkata on Park Street, Kolkata, is one of the largest dedicated Christmas carnivals in India. The themed lighting starts from St Xavier’s College and ends at Jawaharlal Nehru Road. This has been extended in recent years at both ends - up to the Mullick Bazar crossing on Park Street and up to St Paul’s Cathedral on Cathedral Road, an offshoot of Jawaharlal Nehru Road. Another offshoot of celebrations and lighting has been extended till Vardaan Market on Camac Street. This themed lighting is designed by artisans from the nearby town of Chandannagar.

Bands and various choir groups perform on the stage at Allen Park on Park Street. A two-hour Christmas Parade is also organised on one of the days in which about 500 school children participate.

Inception
Students from South City International School at the Christmas Parade on Park Street during Kolkata Christmas Festival 2016
The group of students from South City International School at the Christmas Parade on Park Street during the Kolkata Christmas Festival (KCF) in 2016

The Kolkata Christmas Festival (KCF) was started in 2011 by the Tourism Department of the Government of West Bengal, in association with the Christian community.

It was conceptualised by Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal. This festival is a result of the combined efforts of the West Bengal Government, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata Police, and a few private organisations.







The festival
Christmas Parade by students at the 2016 Kolkata Christmas Festival
Christmas Parade by students at the 2016 Kolkata Christmas Festival

Kolkata Christmas Festival is held in December (from December 22 to December 30 in 2017). It initially spanned just the period around Christmas Day but has since been extended.

The festival is hosted at Allen Park on Park Street (renamed Mother Teresa Sarani). Park Street is turned into a walk-only zone during Christmas and New Year’s eves. Allen Park is the nucleus of the carnival where the live music performances take place.

The choir of Dr Graham's Homes School from Kalimpong, Calcutta Symphony Orchestra from the Calcutta School of Music and choirs have performed at the KCF. Usha Uthup, Barefoot, Krosswindz, Orient Express have performed live at KCF over the years.

A large Christmas tree is placed near Mother Teresa’s statue at the Park Street-Camac Street crossing. Park Street is converted to a 'Walk-Only' road on the Christmas eve, Christmas day, New Year's eve and on New Year's Day to allow the revelers to walk freely and meet a& greet with each other.

See also
Food stall at the 2016 Kolkata Christmas Festival
Food stall at the 2016 Kolkata Christmas Festival

References

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

  1. Angikaar Choudhury (2015-12-23). "In photos: Glimpses of a Bengali Christmas on Kolkata's Park Street". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  2. "Kolkata Christmas Festival | Christmas in Kolkata | Festivals in Kolkata". Outlook Traveller. Archived from the original on 2016-11-21. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  3. "Kolkata Christmas Festival to begin from December 18 : PTI feed, News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  4. "Kolkata Christmas Festival to start today". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  5. "5th Kolkata Christmas Festival - News Corner - Egiye Bangla". Eservices.wb.gov.in. 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  6. Natasha Anchees (2015-12-08). "How Christmas is celebrated in Kolkata". India.com. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  7. "Maa Mati Manush :: M3 Leads - Kolkata Christmas Festival 2015". Maamatimanush.tv. 2015-12-14. Retrieved 2016-12-05.

[1]

  1. Scroll.in Article on Chandannagar lights. "From dinosaurs to Dipa Karmakar, everything is illuminated in Chandannagar". Retrieved 2016-12-09.
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