1) Born in Brooklyn, glowing in Kolkata
Back in 2011, when the new government came into power and Mamata Banerjee became chief minister, Kolkata’s Christmas got its own sparkle. A midnight mass regular for over two decades, the CM asked one of her MPs to think of a festive idea. Inspired by NYC’s borough street fairs, Park Street was turned into a dazzling Christmas wonderland. And that’s how it all began.
2) The making of the Kolkata Christmas Festival logo
The Kolkata Christmas Festival logo
When the Kolkata Christmas Festival needed a logo, Anurag Hira was the creative mind that stepped in during its inaugural year in November, 2011. The now-iconic logo has been a constant ever since. “I vividly remember the creative brief from Derek O’Brien for the Kolkata Christmas Festival branding – ‘Retain the tradition of Christmas, yet keep it simple and memorable’. The logo needed to work across any medium, so it was designed keeping in mind that it may have a tuni-bulb avatar given the shimmer of Christmas lighting on Park Street,” shared Hira.
To that end, the logo unit emerged from an Advent wreath-like form that contained the three words ‘Kolkata Christmas Festival’ with an element of jingling bells. “The weightage of the words in good ol’ Goudy (font style), the Christmassy colours, the overall contained form and the humble nod to tradition makes it easily adaptable across media. I am humbled that it’s become such an integral part of Kolkata’s year-end festivities,” he added.
3) Decking the halls of Bow Barracks!
Bow Barracks is already adorned with lights and food stalls TT Archives
Over the years, the festival extended to the street outside St Paul’s Cathedral, and then it travelled to Bow Barracks, the historic Anglo-Indian enclave in central Kolkata. The red-brick buildings are adorned with lights, food stalls are set up and bands take the stage December 23 onwards.
4) O come all ye churches
A lit-up church in Baruipur TT Archives
A highlight of Kolkata Christmas Festival is that it is now going into the districts and lighting up churches. Think twinkling lights at Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Asansol, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Chandannagar, Bandel, Krishnanagar, Jhargram, Purulia, Baruipur, Alipurduar, Howrah and Bidhannagar.
5) When pandals met reindeers
This year, the sky over Park Street is glowing too – in elegant white, with a burst of Christmassy colours TT Archives
Old-timers would have observed a little something in the lighting over the years. Initially, Park Street’s festive lights were a mishmash with Durga Puja motifs slipping in with the Christmas designs. Now it’s strictly Christmas. This year, the sky over Park Street is glowing too – in elegant white, with a burst of Christmassy colours like red and green.
6) Jingle Bell Rock like Remo!
Remo Fernandes on the Allen Park stage Aanya O’Brien
The Festival has always given stage to local musicians and artistes. Did you know that one name that has been a constant every year is singer Shayne Hyrapiet. This year, there was a bumper bonus! The legendary Remo Fernandes took the Allen Park stage with his band Microwave Papadums. From Silent Night to Munni Badnaam and Humma Humma, it was a two-hour crowd-pleaser with not a place to sit!
Spotted dancing to Remo’s tunes was Beatrix D’Gama, a Goan living in Kolkata. “Remo has performed in Kolkata before, but I never got the chance to see him live. Having listened to his music since childhood, it was a touching moment for me. I couldn’t resist dancing to Maria Pitashe. Another memorable moment was when he dedicated Indian Lady to Indian power ladies of yesteryear and today like Indira Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and P.T Usha,” she said.
Here’s another tidbit you probably didn’t know! Remo’s visit this time was capped off by making him a lifetime member of the Dalhousie Institute.
7) Angels we have heard on high
A choir performs at the festival TT Archives
A platform for local talent, the Festival has featured choirs in English and Bengali. This year, the stage is coming alive with choirs in Hindi, Nepali and Santhali too.
8) A Christmas song by the CM
Mamata Banerjee unveiled a Christmas song, penned and composed by her, titled ‘Biswapita’ TT Archives
For the inaugural day of the Festival, the chief minister unveiled a Christmas song, penned and composed by her, titled Biswapita. Sung by the talented Sriradha, the song struck a chord with the audience with its heartfelt lyrics:
O Father, visit every home
Ensure everyone finds peace
You are the universal Father
To you, we bow our heads
You are the universal Father
You bestow us with peace
9) Pa rum pum pum pum - a new emcee!
Derek O’Brien speaks during the inauguration TT Archives
This year’s inaugural day saw a new emcee hosting the programme – Derek O’Brien. The rest of the Festival will have a familiar face and voice since 2011 – Andrew Edward Scolt.
10) Traffic-free treat on Park Street
Park Street will be vehicle-free on both December 24 and 25 TT Archives
For the first time ever, Park Street will be vehicle-free on both December 24 and 25, 2024 (versus a few hours on December 25 earlier). A step closer to making Kolkata’s Christmas a proper street carnival. This may also be the beginning of a no-horn campaign for the city.
11) Food stalls for Burra Din
The spread has spread its wings from Anglo-Indian classics like panthras to Bengali pithe and fish fry… a true picture of the melting pot of Kolkata’s culinary heritage.
12) Community spirit
Food stalls at the festival. But it’s not just about food – people from different communities, religions and backgrounds create a warm, inclusive atmosphere TT Archives
The Kolkata Christmas Festival brings together people from all walks of life. It’s a time for everyone to come together and celebrate over Bengali sweets like mishti and pithe as much as Christmas cakes and kulkuls and Kolkata favourites like momos. But it’s not just about food – people from different communities, religions, and backgrounds join in the festivities, creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
13) The driving force
Nandini Chakraborty, the state’s principal secretary, has been instrumental in ensuring the festival’s seamless execution TT Archives
The Kolkata Christmas Festival is orchestrated by the Tourism Department of West Bengal, with contributions from key figures who have left their mark. State minister, Indranil Sen, played a pivotal role in shaping the event, while Nandini Chakraborty, the state’s Principal Secretary, has been instrumental in ensuring its seamless execution.
14) The OG Park Street family
The Christmas tree outside Apeejay House Apeejay
The Apeejay group and the Paul family (Karan, Indrani, and children) from The Park Hotel and Flurys have been key players in this Christmas symphony, and were present for the inauguration.
15) Did you know...
… Bet you didn’t! Inside Allen park is a foundation stone dedicated to the legendary Leslie Claudius. The hockey icon brought glory to India with three Olympic golds and a silver. Yes, even in the midst of Kolkata’s festive cheer, how can sports be far behind?
Finally, below is the programme for the remaining main days of Kolkata Christmas Festival (December 22-23), though the celebrations will carry on till December 30. Because, after all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
