We all are cosying up with loved ones at home, but we also love to see how cities around the world transform and celebrate Christmas. December is the time of year when everyone is gearing up to celebrate the most joyful festival and hatch up holiday celebrations. There are many places in India where you can get the perfect vibe of Christmas that is beyond just stringing up a few lights and merry melodies. While jollity might look a bit different amid pandemic, we have enlisted some of the destinations that keep cheered of a holiday so that you can celebrate the festival with full vigour and joy.
Goa
A compact paradise situated on the west coast of India, the place is a kaleidoscopic blend of Portuguese-Indian heritage, delicious delicacies and serene beaches. The 100+ kilometre long coastline, Goa has stretches of uninterrupted golden sand beaches that lure many tourists around the world all year round. The colourful ceremonies and stunning cathedrals give your insight into Goan culture. A night out with friends, epigrammatic fireworks, and melodious carols around Christmas is a time when Goa is decked up like a bride.
Bangalore
From pubs and restaurants and microbreweries, Christmas is celebrated with exuberant spirit. The entire city has numerous beautiful churches that hump a rich cultural past and alluring Christian legacy. Many of them are built by Europeans that have British or french influences and carry out their unique traditions for Christmas celebrations. Beyond cathedrals, the city is famous for culinary delights. From plum cake, smileys and ginger tea to delectable four-course turkey dinner are sure to make Christmas more fascinating and fun. Don’t forget to visit St. Mary’s Basilica Christian Fellowship Church and City Harvest AG Church to attend the midnight mass for the day.
Kolkata
Kolkata is referred to as the City of Joy, and people across the faiths celebrate the yuletide cheer. The light and sound exhibition, glittering decor, rock band performances, delicious treats and historical cathedrals become centres for festive gathering and celebrations. St Paul Cathedral church is the most prominent church that hosts one of the popular midnight masses and encourages celebrations in the city. You can enjoy food extravaganza, live performances, loud music and different stalls with beautiful twinkling lights at Allen park.
Kerala
Kerala is famous for celebrating Onam with glitz and similarly but beyond it; south India is famous for celebrating Christmas too. To brighten up your mood, Kerala has beautiful Christmas decorations. The state has a strong Christian population and countless churches across. Christmas is celebrated with great vigour as the people decorate cathedrals, their houses and streets with lightning. Besides festivity, one can immerse in backwaters of Kerala to lovely coastal areas beaches that enhances the spirit of the festival. Also, Kochi hosts year-end carnival during this time with myriad activities like bike races, fire displays, beach footballs, floor drawings, swimming competitions and much more.
Not to miss – Vypeen Island Zone, Marine Drive, Santa Cruz Basilica.
Puducherry
If you are looking for a fantastic Christmas festival celebration that is peaceful at the same time, Puducherry is for you. It is considered as little France in India where you ought to enjoy and celebrate the festival. The city encompasses a good population of Roman Catholic, which has a distinct way of celebrating the joyful occasion. Feel the vitality in the ambience as the city is brightly decorated with colossal Christmas trees, fairy lights, authentic lantern and much more. Beyond it, you can enjoy evenings at the beach gazing at endless ocean waves.
Daman and Diu
With its rich colonial influence, the state celebrates Christmas with a hint of Portuguese flavour. The city boasts different charm during Christmas which includes an explosion of light, colour, dance, fireworks and much more during Christmas. Beyond it, you can enjoy island paradise with charming and sandy beaches that are popular for swimming, surfing and parasailing.
Mumbai
We can leave the metropolitan city behind when talking about Christmas. Mumbai is one place where the warmth of Christmas is experienced most. The western suburb of the region is where celebrations are its best. From a myriad of Churches and great places to parties, Mumbai has a lot to offer. You can experience the Christmas spirit in shipping centres that offer enticing discounts and activities. To experience true Christmas enthusiasm, get to Lady of Lourdes in Orlem to sing Carol and get into the prayers. Marine Drive includes dazzling displays of fireworks and lives shows and music.
Shimla
Blankets of snow can guarantee you and family will enjoy white Christmas. From scenic tours, capped mountains, snow-covered meadows, Shimla feels like a part of heaven. The most opted family vacation, Shimla is a haven for Adrenaline junkies. Skiing, ice skating to a most romantic destination, the city has historic building from the British period. Rothney Castle, Gaiety Theatre and Woodville Palace are some landmark places that adds reason to visit Shimla this year.
Manali
With most exquisite churches, the city is the perfect gateway to spend your white Christmas in India. The popular Himachal destination is perfect for a celebration of Christmas amidst real snow. The place gives chances to enjoy skiing and making snowmen or simply playing with snow. Also, Manali has got many hidden treks, waterfalls and other surprises that make first love for many travellers and explorers. Surrounded by snowflakes and twinkling lights, old Manali gives you a glimpse of romantic Christmas by hanging out at Chic cafe and sitting by the fireplace in your snug little hut sipping hot chocolate. Visit Gilgal prayer house church, Across Lutheran Church.
Delhi
Just like any other carnival Christmas is celebrated with mammoth enthusiasm. The spectacular festival with twinkling lights and impressive trees the localities throw theme parties, cafes and restaurants and pull out special menus for the occasion. Delhi does not have a Christian population, but the festival is celebrated with fanfare.
Summary
No matter which state or city you are planning to land, plan your itinerary wisely and make your bookings before avoid slapdash. Take your pick and check out our customized options to enjoy glittery and merry vacations.