Kolkata natives living outside the city usually return home twice a year — during Durga Puja and Christmas. Those abroad often choose December for their trip. The Puja visit reconnects them with neighbourhood traditions. Christmas, however, is about enjoying the city’s winter charm with fewer crowds and special treats like moa and nalen gur. Debarshi Chakraborty, a research assistant at Iowa State University, calls December “the best time to be in your hometown.” He said, “I am an alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, so going back to Park Street with college buddies, having street food — ah, that feeling has no match.” He loves hot tea and kochuri on College Street, cricket at Maidan, and the city’s illumination at night. Sayak Banerjee, a Chemistry Ph.D. student also at Iowa State University, is back after four years. He finds the season beautiful and relaxing. An amateur photographer, he enjoys capturing foggy mornings at Maidan, smoke from coal stoves, and scenes by the Hooghly river. He has also attended four music concerts this year. Ria Sain, a postdoctoral researcher in Physics based in China, returns for Park Street’s glowing lights and school reunions. She said, "Cake from Nahoum’s is a must this time. Also, the sweets made from nalen gur — these can’t be found elsewhere.” Some visitors note changes in the city. Rajarshi Banerjee from Kasba, visiting with his family from Minnesota, said, "The city has changed a lot! There are more restaurants and transport options, but also more pollution and illegal structures. The Bengali middle class seems to be shrinking, and younger people speak more English or Hindi mix than Bengali.” For these visitors, Kolkata in December is a mix of warmth, tradition, nostalgia, and new realities.