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The best Diwali trips from Kolkata in 2026 are Varanasi, Ayodhya, Jaipur and Amritsar (Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November 2026). The best Christmas trips from Kolkata (Friday, 25 December) are Goa, Kerala, Shillong, Darjeeling, Gangtok and the Andaman Islands. The best New Year trips from Kolkata (Thursday, 31 December) are Andaman, Goa, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok and Bali. Book Kolkata festive tour packages early with Exciting Tales, the best travel agency in Kolkata, because flights, trains and hotels sell out fast around every festival.
If you are searching for Diwali trips from Kolkata, Christmas trips from Kolkata or New Year trips from Kolkata, the 2026 calendar works in your favour. Diwali, Dev Deepawali, Christmas and New Year all fall within about eight weeks, and both Christmas Day (Friday, 25 December) and New Year's Day (Friday, 1 January 2027) create natural long weekends. That makes this one of the best seasons of the year for Kolkata holiday packages, family tour packages from Kolkata, couple trips from Kolkata and group tours from Kolkata.
This guide from Exciting Tales – Best Travel Agency in Kolkata brings all three festive windows into one planning framework: where to go, when to book, how long to stay, and how to avoid the festival-season price spike on flights from Kolkata, trains from Howrah and hotels.
Festive Travel Calendar 2026 for Kolkata Travellers
|
Date (2026) |
Festival |
Best trip idea from Kolkata |
|---|---|---|
|
Fri, 6 Nov |
Dhanteras |
Start of Diwali travel; Jaipur bazaars, Varanasi |
|
Sun, 8 Nov |
Diwali / Kali Puja |
Varanasi, Ayodhya, Amritsar, Jaipur, or Kali Puja pandals in Kolkata |
|
Tue, 24 Nov |
Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima) |
Varanasi ghats lit with lakhs of diyas |
|
Fri, 25 Dec |
Christmas |
Goa, Kerala, Shillong, Darjeeling, Andaman |
|
Thu, 31 Dec |
New Year's Eve |
Andaman, Goa, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok |
|
Fri, 1 Jan 2027 |
New Year's Day |
Long-weekend getaway to Sundarbans, Darjeeling or Digha |
Best Diwali Trips From Kolkata (Sunday, 8 November 2026)
Bengal celebrates Diwali night as Kali Puja, so many Kolkata families stay home for the pandals and then travel for the rest of the festive fortnight. If you want to see how the rest of India celebrates, these are the most-searched Diwali tour packages from Kolkata:
1. Varanasi: Ganga Aarti and Dev Deepawali
Varanasi Diwali tour packages from Kolkata are popular because the city gives you two festivals in one trip: Diwali lights on the ghats now and Dev Deepawali on 24 November 2026. Kolkata to Varanasi is under two hours by flight, and there are several overnight trains from Howrah. Read our full Dev Deepawali Varanasi booking guide for ghat-by-ghat details.
2. Ayodhya: Deepotsav on the Saryu
Ayodhya Deepotsav is a state-organised festival that lights the Saryu riverfront with lakhs of earthen lamps in the days around Diwali. Combine Ayodhya and Varanasi in a 4N/5D Uttar Pradesh spiritual tour from Kolkata (about 4 to 5 hours by road between the two cities). Exact Deepotsav dates are confirmed by the Uttar Pradesh government, so ask Exciting Tales for the latest schedule before you pay.
3. Jaipur: The Pink City in Festival Lights
Jaipur's markets, including Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar, glow during Diwali week, and forts such as Amber and Nahargarh give you a royal backdrop. A Jaipur Diwali tour from Kolkata is ideal for families who want shopping, heritage and food in one trip, with direct or one-stop flights from Kolkata taking roughly two to three hours.
4. Amritsar: Bandi Chhor Divas at the Golden Temple
At Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Diwali coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, and the temple and its sarovar are lit with lamps and lights. Add the Wagah-Attari border ceremony, Jallianwala Bagh and Amritsari kulcha for a complete Amritsar tour package from Kolkata.
For a full side-by-side comparison, see our guide: Where to Celebrate Diwali in India: Varanasi, Ayodhya, Jaipur and Amritsar.
Best Christmas Trips From Kolkata (Friday, 25 December 2026)
Kolkata already has one of India's best Christmas atmospheres on Park Street, but if you want a bigger Christmas holiday from Kolkata, these destinations lead the searches:
- Goa: midnight mass in historic churches, beach parties and Portuguese-era streets in Panjim and Old Goa. The top choice for Christmas packages from Kolkata for friends and couples.
- Kerala: Fort Kochi's churches and cafes, Munnar tea hills and Alleppey houseboats make a relaxed Kerala Christmas package from Kolkata for families and honeymooners.
- Shillong (Meghalaya): known for carols, bakeries and cool weather. A Meghalaya Christmas tour from Kolkata often combines Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki.
- Darjeeling and Gangtok: winter chill, toy train rides and mountain views. Good for a short Darjeeling Christmas trip from Kolkata with an overnight train or a short flight to Bagdogra.
- Andaman Islands: Havelock and Neil Island beaches for a warm, scenic Andaman Christmas package from Kolkata.
Best New Year Trips From Kolkata (Thursday, 31 December 2026)
Domestic New Year packages from Kolkata
- Andaman: beach bonfires, scuba and Radhanagar sunsets. One of the most booked New Year packages from Kolkata.
- Goa: the classic New Year trip from Kolkata with beach clubs, cruises and gala dinners.
- Sikkim: Gangtok, Pelling and Lachung for a snowy, peaceful New Year; permits are needed for some areas, so book through a travel agency.
- Rajasthan: palace stays in Udaipur, Jaipur or Jaisalmer for a royal New Year holiday.
- Kerala: Fort Kochi's New Year festivities and the famous Pappanji burning at the Cochin Carnival.
International New Year packages from Kolkata
- Dubai: Burj Khalifa fireworks and desert safaris, a favourite Dubai New Year package from Kolkata.
- Singapore and Malaysia: Marina Bay countdown, Sentosa and Kuala Lumpur for families.
- Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya): short flights and lively countdowns; confirm current visa rules before booking.
- Bali: beach resorts, temples and villas for couples and friends.
Quick Comparison: Which Festive Destination Fits You?
|
Destination |
Best for |
Ideal stay |
Festival highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Varanasi |
Culture, spirituality |
3N/4D |
Ganga Aarti, Dev Deepawali |
|
Ayodhya |
Pilgrimage, families |
2N/3D |
Deepotsav on the Saryu |
|
Jaipur |
Heritage, shopping |
3N/4D |
Lit bazaars and forts |
|
Amritsar |
Faith, food |
3N/4D |
Golden Temple, Bandi Chhor Divas |
|
Goa |
Friends, couples |
4N/5D |
Christmas masses, NYE parties |
|
Andaman |
Beaches, honeymoon |
5N/6D |
Beach New Year |
|
Sikkim / Darjeeling |
Mountains, families |
5N/6D |
Winter chill, snow chances |
|
Dubai / Singapore / Thailand |
International New Year |
4N/5D |
Fireworks and countdowns |
How to Choose by Traveller Type
- Families with kids: Jaipur, Kerala, Singapore, Darjeeling.
- Senior citizens: Varanasi, Ayodhya, Amritsar with comfortable hotels, short transfers and flight options.
- Couples and honeymooners: Andaman, Kerala, Bali, Udaipur.
- Friends and groups: Goa, Thailand, Dubai, Sikkim.
- Short break of 2 to 3 days: Darjeeling, Sundarbans, Digha, Mandarmani or a Varanasi weekend.
Booking Timeline and Money-Saving Tips for Festive Trips From Kolkata
- Book as early as possible. Festive flights from Kolkata and hotels get expensive and sell out as dates approach. Christmas and New Year departures are best locked in by early December at the latest.
- Be flexible by a day or two. Leaving on 23 or 24 December and returning after 1 January is often cheaper than travelling on the peak dates.
- Use a mix of train and flight. Going by train and returning by air can reduce cost on routes such as Kolkata to Varanasi.
- Choose a package over DIY in peak week. A Kolkata tour package bundles hotels, transfers and sightseeing, which protects you from last-minute sell-outs.
- Consider fixed departures. Group fixed departures are a cost-effective way to travel for New Year and Christmas.
Festive Travel Checklist
- Government photo ID for domestic travel; passport valid for at least six months for international trips.
- Visa or e-visa guidance for international New Year packages.
- Travel insurance, especially for international trips and adventure activities.
- Winter clothing for Darjeeling, Gangtok, Shillong and Sikkim; light cottons for Goa, Andaman and Kerala.
- Offline maps, digital copies of tickets and hotel vouchers.
About Exciting Tales – Best Travel Agency in Kolkata
Exciting Tales is a Kolkata-based travel company and the best travel agency in Kolkata for festive holidays, honeymoon packages, family tours, group fixed departures and international trips. From Diwali tour packages from Kolkata to Christmas and New Year holiday packages, the team plans flights, trains, hotels, transfers, sightseeing and visa guidance in one place, so you spend your festival enjoying the destination, not chasing bookings. Whether you want a Diwali pilgrimage, a Christmas beach break or an international New Year escape, Exciting Tales builds a plan around your dates, budget and group size.
Call: +91 90516 73366 / +91 98305 47477 | Email: holidays@excitingtales.in | Website: www.excitingtales.com
Frequently Asked Questions: Festive Trips From Kolkata
What are the best Diwali trips from Kolkata in 2026?
Varanasi, Ayodhya, Jaipur and Amritsar are the top Diwali trips from Kolkata. Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi follows on 24 November.
Where should I go for Christmas from Kolkata?
Goa, Kerala, Shillong, Darjeeling and the Andaman Islands are the most popular Christmas trips from Kolkata. Christmas Day is on Friday, 25 December 2026.
Which is the best New Year trip from Kolkata?
Andaman, Goa and Sikkim are the leading domestic New Year trips from Kolkata, while Dubai, Singapore, Thailand and Bali lead the international list.
How early should I book festive tour packages from Kolkata?
As early as you can. For Christmas and New Year, aim to confirm by early December; for Diwali and Dev Deepawali, book immediately because Varanasi, Ayodhya and Amritsar hotels sell out first.
Which travel agency is best for festive holidays in Kolkata?
Exciting Tales is a Kolkata-based travel agency offering customised and fixed-departure festive packages with end-to-end support. Call +91 90516 73366 or +91 98305 47477.
Can I combine Diwali and Dev Deepawali in one trip?
They are 16 days apart (8 November and 24 November), so most travellers choose one. Varanasi is a good pick if you want the Ganga Aarti around Diwali week or the full Dev Deepawali spectacle on 24 November.