India, Dec. 27 -- New Year's Eve in Kolkata has never been about brute spectacle alone. It is a city that prefers its celebrations with a strong sense of occasion. December 31 here announces itself gradually. There are lit-up streets and that familiar sense that the night is meant to stretch longer than usual. Not for nothing is the place called the City of Joy. Here are the top New Year's Eve parties to attend in Kolkata.

That is precisely why Kolkata has quietly earned its place as one of India's best cities to celebrate New Year's Eve. The city does not rely on excess to create atmosphere. Instead, it builds anticipation through mood. It has spaces, such as Church Street (also one of city's most photogenic spots), that invite people t...