Housing societies move year-end parties indoors to escape biting cold
Times of India | 1 January 2026
Kolkata: As Kolkata bid adieu to 2025, the cold weather prompted many residents in housing complexes and standalone buildings to move their year-end parties indoors, particularly those with young children and elderly relatives. Most of them had initially planned to celebrate in open spaces or on rooftops.
As the mercury dipped, families scrambled to make arrangements for bonfires and room heaters, and stock up on warm beverages to keep the chill at bay. Many made quick trips to neighbourhood markets, picking up earmuffs and woollen caps to protect children and the elderly from the biting cold. Many kept shawls and jackets handy. Eventually, the parties shifted indoors.
Ronojoy Ghosh, a resident of Eastern High in New Town, had planned a barbecue on his terrace with his family and in-laws on New Year's Eve. However, as the evening approached and the cold breeze began to sweep across the rooftop, the family reassessed their plans. "We were looking forward to an outdoor barbecue with the entire family, but once we felt how cold it was, we knew it wouldn't be comfortable, especially for the kids and elderly members of the family," Ghosh said. "We then decided to bring everything indoors. Since we moved the party to our living room, we had to tweak plans, like going in for a microwave instead of a charcoal oven. But it turned out to be cosier and more fun than we expected."
Many societies arranged live DJ performances in open-air spaces, hoping to ring in the new year with music and dancing under the stars. However, as the temperature continued to dip, they shifted the performances inside the community halls.
"Many residents conveyed that it would be difficult for them to fully enjoy the outdoor programme since it was very cold. So, on Wednesday afternoon, we decided to move the entire arrangement into the community hall," said Deepti Saraogi, the event manager who coordinated the musical night at Mangalam Apartment in Kankurgachhi. "Luckily, the hall could accommodate the crowd, and we were able to keep the spirit of the celebration alive. It was different from what we originally planned, but everybody was warm and happy."
Families made special arrangements, keeping the weather in mind — from making arrangements for bonfires and room heaters to serving warm beverages with starters, and keeping board games and karaoke sets ready.
"It is so cold at night that it is chilly even indoors. It seems the room heater was the biggest attraction at the party, with people hovering around it to keep themselves warm," said Radhika Sukhani, who was at a party at her friend's place at the South City housing complex.