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Mamata Banerjee Opens Kolkata Christmas Festival as Park Street Shines Through Jan. 5

She used the launch to underline religious harmony.

Overview

  • The 15th edition runs from December 18 to January 5 with special lighting and festivities across Park Street, Allen Park, St Paul’s Cathedral and Bow Barracks.
  • Park Street will be pedestrian-only on December 24 and 25, and Allen Park will be closed those two days to support crowd management and safety.
  • Programming includes busking on Camac Street from December 21–23, Christian community events from December 18–23, a Kolkata Police cultural show on December 26, and Tourism Department performances from December 27–30.
  • Banerjee highlighted Bengal’s inclusive ethos and promoted the state’s tourism appeal, as city leaders, diplomats and church representatives joined an inauguration featuring student performances.
  • She also referenced conservation work for St Andrew’s Church in Darjeeling, with reports differing on whether the project was virtually inaugurated or declared complete.