Best Places To Celebrate Christmas In India

-Mansi Senghar

India has always been a high-spirited secular country that truly reflects in its jolly festive mood in every festival irrespective of the population that celebrates it. Much like other festivals, Christmas has its own mood and spirit that it brings along as the natives start prepping for it. No wonder it's said to be the best time of the year to explore the richness of Indian states when the streets are brimming with the delicious smell of Christmas cookies and fruit cake. India looks mesmerising with festooned houses and twinkling fairy lights and if you plan on taking the adventure and turning Christmas into a merrier affair, check out these top 10 best places to celebrate Christmas.

Witness Portuguese Dance In Daman

The beautiful green emerald city of Daman celebrates Christmas like no one else. Daman has the church of Bom Jesus that was consecrated in the year 1603. Christmas in Daman is a virtual explosion of colour, light, laughter and fun. While your trip to Christmas in Daman, you can visit The Church of Our Lady of Angustias, The Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary and the Church of Our Lady of Remedies which were built during the reign of Portugal. While the churches here are a major attraction, you cannot miss the Portuguese dance that adds fun to Daman’s vibrant splendour.

Experience A Grand Christmas In Goa

Goa has a reputation for being the most lively party spot which everyone yearns for. The reputation remains the same for Christmas as well. When the world comes to Goa during the winter to chill and locales prepare for the most wonderful time of the year. For Christmas, the locales make their traditional sweets and the streets and cafes smell like heaven. The well-lit churches in Goa, the echoing Christmas carol and the decorated houses give Christmassy vibes that are unmatched making Goa one of the best places to visit in Christmas in India. The onset of the new year means a choc-a-block in Goa and hence the hike in price and unavailability of good hotels. So before it's too late, check out Bloom Hotel In Goa and book yourself a room that’s comfy, clean and a few minutes away from the beach and the church. Thank us later!

Enjoy A Sizzling White Christmas In Shillong

Referred to as the Scotland of the east, Shillong is a quaint hill station and the capital of Meghalaya. This untouched, small town will amaze you with its charm during the onset of Christmas. Christmas eve in Shillong means dazzling lights, bedazzled Christmas trees in every corner of the town, and a free carol concert. Apart from the celebration on Christmas eve, the frosty mornings and a hot cup of coffee will fill your heart with joy & bliss. It's also customary for the Shillongites to enjoy an indolent picnic day out in the hills with family and friends to bond better. These picnics are fun and wild and if you visit Shillong you should definitely go to one of these picnics with your friends. While in Shillong, you’ll fall in love with the warmth of the festive season.

Indulge In The Festive Frenzy In Sikkim

Aptly named among the list of places to visit to celebrate the onset of winter and commemorate the start of a new year, Sikkim is encircled by lofty Himalayan peaks and clear rivulets that look breathtaking. Especially during the Christmas season, when the veil of snow all around is bejewelled with twinkling lights and contrasting red and green decorations that add a festive oomph to this small town. Apart from the visionary treat, the fun and excitement quotient also goes up beyond one’s imagination. The restaurants and pubs reflect the dazzling aura and remain open till late to serve the yummiest festive servings. This time of the year is truly the best time of the year to bask in the glory of winter festivities in this quaint hill station.

Get High On Festive Spirit Of Delhi

Delhi is known to get in the feels and tbh, there are a lot of things to do in Delhi. You must’ve heard a lot about all of that but did you know that Christmas in Delhi is an equally fun festival? From beautiful churches, and vibrant marketplaces, to beautiful eateries, Delhi has it all. Every element in Delhi screams festive when the bells start to jingle. Malls are decked up with larger-than-life Christmas trees and carnivals are set up. Depending on how you plan on spending your night, you can either visit churches like the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, St. Alphonsa's Church, Cathedral Church of the Redemption, St. James Church, St. Mary's Church or you can gorge on Christmas servings at one of the famous cafes like Theobrama, Georgia Dakota or Elma’s and spend the night just how you like it.

Visit The Stunning Churches In Ooty

If you are looking for a quiet, quaint destination that is tucked away in the far lands and still feels festive then you must visit Ooty. With the holiday vibes in the air, Ooty feels surreal. The cold breeze and the snow-laden trees get you in the mood for Christmas. The fervour can be felt in the stunning churches found in this town. If you would like then you can also be a part of the Christmas masses, carols and feasts in Ooty. One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas here is cafe hopping where you get to feel like a native and make new friends from around the town.

Celebrate the Joy of Christmas In Kolkata

Once the capital of the British Raj, Kolkata celebrates Christmas with much joy and fervour. The city of joy still has a sizeable amount of Anglo-Indian population that celebrates the birth of Jesus with much zeal and excitement. Christmas, commonly known as ‘Bada din’ in Kolkata is synonymous with Christmas mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral, flickering lights at park street and indulging in Christmas sweet treats. With their enthusiasm, Bengalis can turn the heat up at any party and one of the best places to be in Kolkata for a fun night is park street. The entire street is decked up with decorations and some of the best musicians play here.

Sing Carols By The Beach In Pondicherry

Last but not the least, we have on our list, the french capital of India, Pondicherry. It is one of the best places to visit during Christmas in India if you love beaches and want to spend your Christmas at an offbeat location without missing out on any adventure. Christmas holidays are the best time to be in Pondicherry because everyone is kinder and in a jolly mood. The vibe around this time and the zeal around this place are infectious. To add more fun to your itinerary, Pondicherry also has this amazing Christmas special market, a European culture that they borrowed. Commonly known as the Marche de Noel, this market sells pondy-manufactured goods that you can take home as souvenirs. Oh, and the beach bums can also attend one of the beach concerts around this time. Isn’t this a dream come true? We think so too!