Christmas holidays in India
Are you confused about the destination for spending the Christmas holidays in India ? Don’t fret and have a look at the list of best places where you can make merry during Christmas in India.
What are the best places to go during Christmas in India?
Christmas is one of the most cheerful festivals celebrated all across the world on 25th December. The ways of celebrating Christmas vary from region to region. Though Christmas is not celebrated on a grand scale in India as it is celebrated in the best, it is celebrated in several parts of the country and that too with great zeal and enthusiasm. Even though Christmas is observed by Christians, people in India celebrate this festival, irrespective of their religion. Bustling markets, decorated churches and houses, stuffed bakeries, and illuminated trees together represent Christmas scenes in India.
Top 15 Indian destinations to celebrate Christmas
Even though Christmas is celebrated in various parts of India, ranging from north to south and east to west, the most notable and enjoyable festivities take place at the following places:
- Goa
- Shillong
- Pondicherry
- Kerala
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Bangalore
- Manali
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Shimla
- Lansdowne
Goa
Christmas holidays in India. Known worldwide for its appealing nightlife and exotic beaches, Goa is the best place to visit during Christmas in India. Goa inhabits a substantial population of Christians and also has several Portuguese style churches. That’s why Christmas is celebrated in Goa with great fervor. One can spot decorated churches and homes with poinsettia flowers and colorful lights and hear midnight melodious carols during Christmas. Tourists can also enjoy at parties organized in clubs and on beaches in December. Moreover, you can explore other tourist destinations in Goa at the same time.
Shillong, Meghalaya
Shillong in North East India is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in the tranquil and serene environment. With a sizable population of Catholic, Shillong celebrates Christmas with great zeal just like any other city of the country. While the midnight mass of the Cathedral Church is quite popular among tourists, All Saints Cathedral hosts the celebration with the special illumination of the century-old fir tree. One can also enjoy the gospel music played by bands in Shillong in churches during Christmas. In all, Shillong is a scenic destination where you can have maximum fun by spending the Christmas holidays.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry is India’s version of France and it is known by the similar name of “Little France” among locals. Endowed with multiple gothic churches and cathedrals, Puducherry is one of the places in India that host Christmas celebrations with pomp and show. Besides visiting churches on the occasion of Christmas, you can also have relaxing vacations at the beaches in Pondicherry. Furthermore, you can taste French cuisine by opting to celebrate Christmas in this quaint town. You can head to the popular churches in Puducherry to view some lovely decorations and take part in masses.
Kerala
Kerala is a scenic corner of India where you can observe Christmas most exceptionally. Here, you can celebrate Christmas amidst languid backwaters and panoramic surroundings. The churches of Kerala remain open all night on the occasion of Christmas and are quite wonderful in terms of architecture. Either you can partake in the midnight mass in any of the churches or you can opt for a boat ride, which will enable you to catch a sight of the decorated town. You can also feast your taste buds with some of the special local dishes such as Achappam, Neyyappam, sweets, etc.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Mumbai is yet another place where you can enjoy Christmas in full swing. The Western suburb of Bandra is mostly populated with Catholics and is beautifully decorated at the time of Christmas. Hill Road and Church Gate also get lively with decorations and lightings during the same time. You can enjoy Christmas prayers and midnight mass in any of the churches of the city. Since Mumbai is famous for parties, you can also enjoy Christmas by singing and dancing with your dear ones. During the festival, streets and houses are decorated beautifully and bakeries offer special goodies.
Kolkata, West Bengal
Christmas holidays in India. Although there are not so many Christians in Kolkata, Christmas is celebrated just like its local festival with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. People belonging to other religions also take part in midnight mass and sing carols on the occasion of Christmas in the City of Joy. As shops and bakeries offer special discounts, the markets get bustling. Moreover, West Bengal Tourism hosts Kolkata Christmas Carnival every year, during which several bands and groups perform on stage. Park Street is illuminated with lights as well as other decorations. One can also spot a unique banana Christmas tree and enjoy the light and sound shows in Kolkata during Christmas.
Bangalore, Karnataka
If Christmas signifies delicious food and yummy cakes for you, then no other destination can be better than Bangalore for you. Bangalore has several churches in the central part of the city, most of which boast of British and French influences. These are the places where you can enjoy celebrating Christmas by following unique traditions. The entire town looks pretty with lights, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, decor, etc. Several events are organized in different parts of the city to celebrate Christmas. One can also join in the midnight mass in St. Patrick’s Church and All Saints Church. Moreover, you can gorge on mouth-watering cakes and dishes in Bangalore during Christmas.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
If you wish to celebrate Christmas amidst snowy hills then Manali would certainly please you. This hill station nestled in Himachal Pradesh gives you a chance to enjoy Christmas in western style. You can view pine trees covered in snow and decorated with lights and accessories, which look quite similar to the Christmas trees. The hill town looks like a fairy tale castle at Christmas night. Since it usually snows in Manali at the time of Christmas, there is a lot of hustle-bustle all around the town. You can enjoy Christmas along with folk music and traditional dance performances. You can also relish sitting in front of a bonfire under a starlit sky at night during Christmas in Manali. Furthermore, you can indulge in snow activities.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Another best place to celebrate Christmas in South India in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The state has great prominence in Christianity and that’s why the city is home to many churches, out of which the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is the most famous one. On Christmas Eve, the entire city gets cheerful with clubs and pubs hosting parties, hotels offering buffet feasts and the Phoenix Market City Mall organizing various exciting activities. In addition to attending midnight mass and carol at churches, you can enjoy Tamil cuisine and make merry during Christmas in Chennai.
Delhi
Delhi is one of the best places to visit in India during Christmas. Malls, markets, and streets are celebrated according to the theme of Christmas. You can enjoy Christmas celebrations at various places in Delhi but the most famous one is hosted at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Connaught Place. Here, people take part in midnight mass irrespective of the faith they believe in. you can also enjoy theme parties organized by clubs and lounges or you can opt for eating out at cafes and restaurants, which offer special Christmas menus. The entire city of Delhi gets lively even in such cold weather during Christmas.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
If you are looking out for a destination where you can celebrate joyous Christmas amidst tranquil surroundings then you must opt for Shimla. You can observe decoration almost everywhere from houses to streets and markets to churches. You can enjoy having a toy train ride, during which you can catch a glimpse of snow-laden hills. You can attend the midnight mass at Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in North India and is built in the neo-Gothic style. You can also enjoy eating traditional dishes while listening to carols and hymns on Christmas Eve. Some of the churches also have bands playing gospel music. Besides, you can relish in snow activities. Hence, Shimla is one of the best places to make merry in India during Christmas.
Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Christmas holidays in India. If you are willing to celebrate Christmas differently this time then you must head towards Lansdowne in Uttarakhand. This is the place where you can bid a peaceful yet enjoyable farewell to the old year by celebrating Christmas amidst panoramic vistas and snowy hills. This hill station is a perfect destination to have a break from a hectic life and enjoy the cheerful festival of Christmas. During Christmas, hotels and resorts in Lansdowne offer attractive discounts so that you can make the most of your Christmas holidays. You can also entertain yourself by trying hands-on adventure treats like camping, trekking, and cliff jumping in Lansdowne in December. You can offer prayers to Jesus Christ at St. John’s Church.
Apart from these, several other cities in India host Christmas celebrations. So, delay no more and plan a tour to any of these charming places to make your Christmas holidays fun-filled. You can plan your tour by going through our collection of Christmas tours of India. By deciding to celebrate Christmas in India, you can have merry vacations as well as you can create memories for a lifetime.
