Last updated on December 30th, 2022 at 08:18 am
Chances are you are wondering why on earth would you contemplate spending a few days of winter in Kolkata. After all, Kolkata is neither a winter destination nor a tourist magnet like some other Indian cities (except during Durga Puja, perhaps!). It would be safe to say that the ‘City of Joy’ is best experienced the moment there’s a dip in the mercury. And why not! During winters, the weather in Kolkata permits outdoor activities, so there’s no shortage of things to do in Kolkata.
The city is in a festive and celebratory mood till February from October.
Yes!
It is that long. The festive season kicks in the city, starting with Durga Puja, and continues till February. Then, as the winters set in from December, the city gears up for Christmas celebrations, fairs, picnics, music shows, and winter food tasting, to name a few.
Here’s a peek into all the fantastic things to do in Kolkata during the winters.
Related: 12 Unique Features Of Kolkata Durga Puja
Disclaimer: Things are changing rapidly – please double check what’s open before your trip and follow all local guidelines to keep yourself and others safe! This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you click on one and make a purchase.
Weather : Kolkata in Winter
December to February are considered as winter months in Kolkata. The temperature varies between 12°C to14°C and very rarely dips below 10°C . Mornings are pleasant without any humidity. This is considered as the best time to visit the city from a weather point of view.
Things To Do in Kolkata in Winter
1) Enjoy the Christmas Illuminations
Christmas in Kolkata is celebrated with so much fanfare. From pretty cafes and snug pubs to the sparkling lights across the city, a few days in Kolkata in December is enough to get you truly into the Christmas spirit.
Park Street in Kolkata is the ultimate destination for enjoying Christmas illuminations, where you get to see the entire stretch lit up by overhead street lights, giant baubles, and much more. (Beware of crowds, though!)
Take a walk around Park Street, check out the Santa caps and Christmas décor elements from busy street-hawkers, and settle down in a café or one of the many legacy restaurants in the area where you will indeed be greeted with a warm smile.
While Park Street takes the illuminations to the next level, head on to Allen Park (at the crossing of Park Street and Camac Street) for some great treat to the eyes, this public park in Park Street is decked up for Christmas and New Year celebrations with lights, stalls, live music and so on.
Most of the touristic locations are decorated with lights. Small cafes, restaurants, and shops across the roads display lovely Christmas trees with twinkling lights spreading the festive cheer.
2) Discover local food
One of the best things to do in Kolkata in winter is to savor some of the Bengali winter delicacies. Precisely, the arsenal of Bengali winter sweets! Nolen Gur er Sandesh, Joy Nogorer Moya, Kora Paak er Sandesh stuffed with Nolen Gur, to name a few.
The exquisitely-tasting Nolen Gur or Date Palm jaggery is the apple of the eye of all sweet makers. It is available only during winters, and sweets made from this taste heavenly. No wonder winter is the favorite time of the people of Kolkata.
Some of the winter-special sweets worth trying are:
a) Joy Nogorer Moya
Available only during winters, this is a spherical dumpling with the main ingredients as Kanakchur Khoi (a form of popped rice made from a special variety of aromatic rice) and Nolen Gur (date palm jaggery). It originates from the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
Joy Nogorer Moya possesses a Geographical Indication (GI) tag confirming its place of origin, quality, and reputation.
Where to get them: Some of the best Joy Nogorer Moya are sold by sweet-makers who set up small temporary stalls/shops during winters across the city’s nook and corners. However, you need some local to guide you to them.
Alternately, most of the well-known sweet shops in Kolkata sell Joy Nogorer Moya. Just ask for it.
b) Nolen Gur er Sandesh
Sandesh made from Nolen Gur, and cottage cheese is another winter delicacy. It comes in different varieties, with the star being Jal Bhora Sandesh (Sandesh whose center is filled with Nolen Gur).
All the sweet shops sell Nolen Gur er Sandesh during winters starting from the humble neighborhood sweet shop to the well-known Bhim Nag and Sons, the inventor of Jol Bhora Sandesh.
c) Paati Shapta
Paati Shapta is still made at home but is also available in shops.
It is essentially a crepe where the filling is made up of coconut and Nolen Gur or Kheer.
Are you running out of time? Then, hop on to Misti Hub in New Town (next to Eco park)/ Misti Hub houses well-known sweet makers, and you will get all the sweets of your choice (including the above) at one place.
3) Explore a fair
Fairs bring in a feeling of happiness. Kolkata in winter hosts a series of various fairs throughout from December to February and ensures that citizens are in a celebratory mood. Some fairs are unique, while others are heritage
a) International Kolkata Bookfair
Kolkata has always been a paradise for book-lovers, and the International Kolkata Bookfair is the perfect treat to all the bibliophiles out there. Kolkata Bookfair or ‘Boi Mela’ started in 1976 and has been ever popular with lesser-known and well-known publishing houses joining in.
Starting in 1990, the Book Fair has a theme around a location – either an Indian state like Orissa or a country like Cuba, Italy or Zimbabwe.
What makes Kolkata Bookfair unique is the series of events held within the fair premises alongside the colorful bookstalls. These range from Literary meets with talk shows with notable authors to themed events. In addition, there’s a dedicated section/pavilion called Montmartre (inspired by Montmartre in Paris) for budding artists and authors.
This immersive experience at the book fair makes it a must-have indulgence in Kolkata during winters.
Did You Know? The International Kolkata Book Fair is the largest book festival in Asia and also happens to be the most extensive non-trade book exhibition in the entire world!
b) Hasta Shilpa Mela or Handicrafts Fair
West Bengal Government-run Hasta Shilpa Mela, or Handicrafts Fair, features artists from rural Bengal showcasing their handicrafts.
The fair is a beautiful reminder to the rich cultural and craft heritage of Bengal and also provides a platform for the artists to sell their products.
From Terracotta to Patochitra, the colors and variety of artifacts on offer at the Hasta Shilpa Mela are mindboggling. But, apart from the variety, the other major attraction is to watch the artisans at work, live.
Where : Eco Park, New Town
The handicraft fair in Kolkata is gaining immense popularity every year. It is not only a treasure hold of handicrafts but also an excellent weekend gateway filled with excitement and fun in winter. If you are interested in visiting the handicraft fair, read this article written by Koyeli Biswas, a travel blogger on NatureDiary, to know what to expect: https://www.naturediary.in/handicraft-fair-kolkata/.
Related : Kolkata Souvenirs – Best Things To Buy In Kolkata
c) International Mega Trade Fair
The Trade Fair showcases artifacts from all Indian states and several foreign countries under one roof.
The products are charged reasonably.
The 2021 edition of the trade fair in Kolkata is being held from 25th December 2021 to 2nd Jan 2022.
Where: Science City
Tickets: Via Bookmyshow
Apart from the big ones, neighborhood fairs like the 229-year old Chandi Mela in Behala are huge crowd-pullers. Chandi Mela was started by the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family from whom the East India Company had taken the three villages of Kalikata, Gobindapur, and Sutanuti, which gave birth to the city of Kolkata. The fairground surrounds the temple where the deity — Devi Chandi is worshipped during the annual Chandi Puja.
Where : Behala, Sakher Bazaar
Entry : Free
4) Cozy up in a café
I am purely a café person and can spend hours in cafes though I usually do not get the chance 😊
When I visited Kolkata (after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic), the city pleasantly surprised me by offering a mindboggling choice of new cafes that have opened doors to its citizens.
While the legacy of the age-old College Street Coffee House is still there (and will continue to be), the city has warmly welcomed new-age cafes. From college-goers to travelers, the cafes are one of the best places to sit back, have a conversation, read a book or simply spend some me-time while sipping a hot cup of coffee. These cute cafes are perfect for cozying up in when the weather gets cold outside.
My friends and relatives in Kolkata provided a long list of suggestions about which one I should try.
I did visit two of my neighborhood cafes to catch up with friends.
And spent an excellent two-hour time at Bunaphile. A part of renowned writer Nabaneeta Dev Sen’s home ‘Bhalo Basha’ has now been converted to a pretty white-themed café Bunaphile with an outdoor seating arrangement. The café was all decked up in Christmas decorations, and the ambiance, coffee, and food were too good!
Some of the other cafes worth trying out are:
Sienna Store and Café
Artsy Coffee and Culture
Roastery Coffee House
Head on to the Instagrammable Cafes in Kolkata for a comprehensive list.
5) Take a Walking Tour of Kolkata
Given Kolkata’s hot and humid weather, walking tours can be uncomfortable during the rest of the year. But the mild Kolkata winters make the experience a lot better.
Whether it is exploring the narrow alleys of North Calcutta, taking a ride in the vintage tram, or exploring the British heritage palpable in the city, a walking tour ensures you get to know the city through the eyes of a local. A must-try for the most authentic Kolkata experience in the winters.
6) Plan a Picnic
Think about those days when you used to pack your picnic basket, lounged under the winter sun with family and friends, played musical chairs and badminton while rounds of a hot cup of tea, samosas were served, followed by freshly cooked Mutton Curry and Rice in lunch!
Blissful! Isn’t it?
Planning a picnic in and around the outskirts of Kolkata is a staple winter ‘to-do’ item for people from Kolkata.
Nowadays, several picnic spots and resorts at stone’s throw distance from Kolkata will play the perfect host for the picnic you are planning.
So next time you are in Kolkata in winter, set aside a day for a fun-filled picnic with friends and near and dear ones!
Closing Thoughts on Things To Do in Kolkata in Winter
There’s no debate that the best time to visit Kolkata (after the Durga Puja) is winters. The perfect winter weather clubbed with a series of happy activities make it a perfect time to explore the ‘City of Joy’.
What’s your favorite activity out of all the above?
