Kolkata plays Santa for non-residents returning for Christmas, serving them cakes and memories

There are two kinds of Kolkatans living outside the city: those who visit home during Durga Puja, and those who come during Christmas, and the reason for their return during these festivals is rarely religious and is mostly to soak in the celebratory spirit. On the other hand, you see less of trams and yellow taxis — that’s painful.” According to Ananya Maitra, a senior finance professional based in Mumbai, Kolkata looks brighter than ever this Christmas. In other cities, it is mostly a religious festival, whereas in Kolkata, Christmas, like other festivals, is a celebration where people across the religions enjoy in abandon.” Her friend Sreelekha Maitra, an advertising professional based also in Mumbai and currently visiting Kolkata, agreed: “I keep coming back every Christmas simply because it’s a city that knows how to celebrate any occasion with spirit and fervour. And, of course, there are perennial favourites like Nahoum’s fruit cake, lights of Park Street, the Allen Park carnival, multiple music and cultural fests.” For those living outside Kolkata, the cakes of Nahoum are not only a primary attraction but also synonymous with Christmas celebrations. “I have been to Champs-Élysées in Paris, to the London Christmas market, and to Sydney, but our own carnival stands out in many ways, something that makes me feel proud as a Kolkatan.” Tanushyam Chattopadhyay, working at Adani AI Labs in Ahmedabad, also said that he spent Christmas in multiple cities but always missed the thrill he experienced in Kolkata.