Christmas in India is all about colours and lights, carols and cakes, giving and receiving gifts, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s that time of the year when people come together to meet their friends and family, and gear up for the celebrations. They decorate Christmas trees, bake the best cakes, put up lights and stars and get all decked up to attend mass in the churches.
Christmas 2020 is just around the corner, and we know you’re all excited for the festival! But in case you’re wondering as to how is Christmas celebrated in India (since Christians make only around 3% of the total population) – well, Indians celebrate the festival in full pomp and glory across the country.
2020 has been a dismal year, owing to the coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions, but the country is getting ready to for Christmas celebrations with proper safety precautions. If you have travel plans, check out these top 10 places to celebrate Christmas in India now!
10 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in India
1 Shillong
The northeastern part of India has a considerable Christian population, and Shillong is no different. If you want to witness Christmas celebrations in its true grandness, pack your bags to this incredible destination and soak in the festive spirit in the churches here. You can visit the Shillong Catholic Cathedral, Laitumkhrah Presbyterian Church, All Saints Church and more to attend the night-long mass on Christmas eve, gorge on some delicious cakes and other dishes and experience the festive atmosphere evident on the roads and markets in Shillong. And hey, don’t miss the lighting on the century-old fir tree in Shillong.
Book your stays with Treebo hotels in Shillong for a great experience.
2 Pondicherry
Talking about Christmas, one can not forget this once-a-French colony that boasts of the French culture and practices to this day. Pondicherry is beautiful and mesmerising in December, thanks to the festive spirit visible on the streets and houses lining this small union territory. You can enjoy the celebrations of Christmas in India in its true form here. From decked up Christmas trees set in malls and other public places to all-night mass in famous churches like Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Our Lady of Assumption Church, Pondicherry offers you the best Christmas experience.
Book Treebo hotels in Pondicherry and for a safe and pleasant stay.
3 Kolkata
The enchanting City of Joy comes alive during Christmas, all lit up and colourful spreading the festive vibes to its nook and corner. One of the best places to celebrate Christmas in India, Kolkata promises you great food, night-long mass in churches on Christmas eve, beautifully decorated Christmas trees in several public areas and cheerful people who leave no stone unturned to enjoy every festival. Although Kolkata predominantly may not have a Christian population per se, people here love to celebrate this festival with the same grandeur as they do for Durga Puja. You will love the festivities and the zeal with which people making merry during this festival.
Book budget-friendly hotels in Kolkata for a perfect and safe stay.
4 Mumbai
The City of Dreams, Mumbai, is no way behind when it comes to Christmas decorations and celebrations. Being a cosmopolitan city, Mumbai is one of the best places to enjoy Christmas in India. The roads are decked with lights and props, and delicious aroma of cakes wafts from stores. You can witness markets and other public spaces adorned with beautiful props, and shops busy catering to the last-minute rush. Overall, you cannot miss the zeal of this festival wherever you travel in Mumbai.
If you’re planning a trip here, check-in to budget-friendly hotels in Mumbai for a pleasant stay.
Read More: The 12 Most Peaceful and Famous Churches in Mumbai
5 Delhi
25th December is always special for Delhi. Even if it is freezing in winters, you can feel the festive vibes all across here. Beautifully lit and decorated churches, colourful props adorning the streets, markets and malls filled with excited people and eating joints serving their specials, Christmas undeniably is a great time to be in the capital city. If you are looking for the best places to visit on Christmas in Delhi, you must head to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Alphonsa’s Church, Select City Walk Mall, Dilli Haat, and other places.
Book safe stays with hotels in Delhi for an incredible experience.
6 Goa
Christmas in Goa is nothing short of a carnival here. On the one hand, you can enjoy the late-night parties, music performances, and other fests, and on the other, you can attend the midnight masses in numerous churches in Goa. You can spend your day exploring the picturesque beaches, majestic forts, malls and local shops, before heading to the beautifully decorated churches in the night. While in Goa, you must try the local bakeries that serve delicious cakes and desserts, check out the best pubs here or try your luck in casinos.
So, What are you waiting for? Plan your trip to one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in India and thank us later! Book budget hotels in Goa with Treebo for a stress-free stay.
Read More: The 15 Best Nightclubs in Goa For Partying All Night
7 Kerala
Are you thinking about how Christmas is celebrated in Kerala? Well, the state has a significant Christian population and many churches where Christmas celebrations take place in full pomp and grandeur. Christians celebrate the festival with great vigour, decorating their houses and churches with lights, trees and props. They exchange gifts, cakes and other goodies with their friends and family, visit the church and enjoy a lavish dinner together.
Kerala is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in India, and if you plan your trip during the holiday, you can enjoy the festive spirit, savour delectable Christmas delicacies, chill in beautiful beaches or attend late-night mass in churches.
8 Bangalore
Christmas is a great affair, and Bangalore celebrates this glorious festival impressively. It is fascinating to see Christians and others decked in beautiful attires, queuing in the churches for the midnight mass. The city is famous for its culinary delights and several restaurants and eating outlets serve mouth-watering delicacies. If you are in Bangalore for Christmas 2020, you can visit some prominent churches like Holy Trinity Church, St Mark’s, St Mary’s Basilica and more to experience the festivities.
Stay safe in Treebo hotels in Bangalore and explore the city to your heart’s content.
9 Shimla
Shimla has a considerable Christian population that celebrates a cheerful and snowy Christmas. The harsh temperature of Shimla attracts few tourists hence the locals here enjoy a peaceful celebration. Shimla is one of the best places to visit during Christmas only if you love the cold climate and wish to celebrate the festival in a hill station. Stuff your bags with enough winter wear to keep you warm as you stroll through the shimmering streets or build snowmen with snow.
Stay safe and comfortable in hotels in Shimla to experience the best vacation here.
10 Chennai
Chennai promises you a spirited Christmas celebration, and you witness it all across the city. Albeit the snow, Chennai offers you everything you’d want for Christmas. You cannot miss the shimmering streets, bedecked churches, tastefully decorated Christmas trees, and the overall spirituality of the festival here. In the evenings you can enjoy the wild parties in pubs and clubs in the city or savour delectable food in prominent restaurants. Don’t forget to pay a visit to some famous churches like Velankanni Church, Santhome Church, St Andrews Church and others while vacationing here.
Book a safe and comfortable stay with hotels in Chennai and explore the city on your pace.
Read More: 11 Architecturally Rich Churches in Chennai
That’s all folks! Here’s the list of 10 best places to celebrate Christmas in India. Which one are you planning to visit for Christmas 2020? Drop your replies in the comments below.
