Christmas in India is not just a religious observance but a celebration of unity, togetherness, and the universal values of love, peace, and goodwill. Despite being a predominantly Hindu nation, the country embraces the spirit of Christmas with open arms, reflecting its inclusive and harmonious ethos. The occasion transcends religious boundaries, bringing people of all faiths together in camaraderie and shared joy.
How is Christmas celebrated in India?
The festivities typically begin in early December and extend through the New Year, transforming cities and towns into wonderlands of twinkling lights and festive cheer.
In some regions, the festivities are marked by grand midnight masses and elaborate nativity scenes and sharing festive meals featuring both regional specialties and classic Christmas treats like plum cake. In other places, the focus is on vibrant street decorations, caroling, and feasting on delectable delicacies.
From the sun-kissed beaches of Goa to the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, the festivities take on a distinct character, infusing the season with a kaleidoscope of colors, flavors, and traditions.
1. Mumbai
Photo from Hamleys Wonderland
Mumbai‘s diverse and cosmopolitan character shines brightest during Christmas. The city’s Christian community, predominantly Roman Catholic, celebrates with elaborate midnight masses at iconic churches like Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra and St. Michael’s Church in Mahim.
The tradition of caroling remains strong, with groups visiting neighborhoods singing hymns and spreading cheer. Families dress in their finest clothes for Christmas Eve mass, followed by festive meals featuring traditional dishes like Christmas cake, roast turkey, and local adaptations of Western favorites.
Join the Christmas events in Mumbai at the JioWorld Drive for the “World of Christmas” from December 13 to 28, featuring themed parades, a giant Christmas tree, and an ice-skating rink.
On Christmas Eve, the Gateway of India hosts a spectacular Christmas light show and a choir singing carols. The 2025 Christmas Eve Gala at the Taj Mahal Palace features celebrity entertainment and an international cuisine buffet that showcases both global and Indian festive dishes.
The shopping districts of Colaba, Bandra, and Linking Road transform into festive marketplaces, with special Christmas sales, decorations, and pop-up markets selling handcrafted ornaments, gifts, and seasonal delicacies.
2. Shillong
Photo from Incredible India
Shillong comes alive during Christmas with a deeply rooted Christian heritage that makes the celebration particularly meaningful. The tradition of house-to-house caroling by local Khasi choirs is a cherished custom, with groups singing hymns in both English and Khasi throughout December nights. The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians becomes the spiritual center of celebrations, hosting beautiful services filled with traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music.
Christmas in Shillong is spectacular, with the city hosting the “Winter Tales Festival” at Ward’s Lake (Nan Polok). From December 11 to 13, enjoy local dance, traditional music performances, and a night market with festive goods.
The city’s rich Christian heritage is on full display during midnight mass at the All Saints Cathedral and Laitumkhrah Presbyterian Church, making it a meaningful destination for holiday travelers. The entire city is adorned with fairy lights and star decorations, while Ward’s Lake becomes a popular spot for evening strolls amid festive illuminations.
The Police Bazaar area transforms into a shopping haven, with stalls selling Christmas cakes, decorations, winter woolens, and local handicrafts. The cold December weather adds to the Christmas ambiance, making it feel like a true winter wonderland.
3. Shimla
Photo by Kandarp Gupta from Getty Images
Shimla offers one of India’s rare opportunities to experience a traditional white Christmas, complete with snow-covered pine trees and colonial-era charm. The British colonial influence remains evident in the Christmas celebrations, with traditions like Christmas tree decorating, carol singing at Christ Church, and festive dinners featuring roast turkey and Christmas pudding.
The tradition of ice skating at Shimla’s natural ice rink, building snowmen, and enjoying hot chocolate while watching snow fall creates magical Christmas memories. Many hotels and restaurants serve traditional Himachali feasts alongside Christmas specialties, including dishes like sidu, chha gosht, and madra complemented by fruit cakes and mince pies.
Experience a traditional white Christmas in Shimla with the ‘Shimla Winter Carnival’ along Ridge and Mall Road, beginning December 25. Activities include ice skating competitions, snowman building, and gourmet stalls selling hot chocolates and local delicacies.
The Ridge hosts a grand Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Christmas Eve, attended by locals and tourists alike. Additionally, the Mall Road becomes a winter wonderland with decorations, seasonal markets, and festive entertainment, while nearby Kufri offers winter sports activities including skiing and tobogganing for adventure enthusiasts.
4. Kolkata
Photo from Kolkata Christmas Festival Facebook page
Kolkata’s Christmas celebrations reflect its diverse cultural tapestry, with influences from the Anglo-Indian community, Bengali traditions, and British colonial heritage. Park Street, the city’s celebration epicenter, has been synonymous with Christmas for decades. The tradition of elaborate street lighting on Park Street began in the 1960s and has become one of India’s most iconic Christmas displays.
Places to visit in Kolkata during Christmas include Park Street. The Kolkata Christmas Festival features a special light show and a street food festival that highlights both Bengali and colonial-inspired delicacies.
On Christmas Eve, St. Paul’s Cathedral hosts a magnificent choir concert, which is free for everyone to attend. On Christmas morning, visit the Bow Barracks for a unique cultural walk through these historic quarters, where you can sample homemade wine and fruitcake with the locals.
The New Market and Esplanade areas bustle with Christmas shopping, offering decorations, gifts, and festive treats. Many restaurants and bakeries offer special Christmas menus, while hotels host elaborate Christmas brunches and dinners featuring both Indian and Continental specialties.
5. Chennai
Photo by TheKaran from Getty Images
Chennai‘s Christmas celebrations blend South Indian cultural elements with Christian traditions, creating a unique festive atmosphere. The city’s significant Christian population, particularly in areas like George Town and Royapuram, maintains strong Christmas customs including attending midnight mass at historic churches, including St. Mary’s Co-Cathedral and Luz Church.
In Chennai, the famous San Thome Cathedral offers a special bilingual mass on Christmas Eve that culminates in a community sharing of Christmas Pongal, a sweetened rice dish. The Christmas Eve Bash at The Hard Rock Cafe Chennai includes festive beats and legendary food, making it a vibrant place to celebrate.
Other Christmas events in Chennai include several carol concerts, which run from mid-December to mid-January 2026 and showcase classical and contemporary performances. The Santhome Beach area hosts open-air carol services, while Marina Beach features festive illuminations and Christmas markets selling handicrafts, decorations, and local specialties.
Chennai’s bakeries come alive with Christmas preparations, producing thousands of plum cakes, fruit cakes, and traditional South Indian Christmas sweets like nevris and kidiyas. The tradition of gifting these homemade treats to friends, neighbors, and colleagues strengthens community bonds.
6. Pondicherry
Photo by Abhishek Koli on Unsplash
Pondicherry‘s French colonial heritage creates a distinctly European atmosphere during Christmas, setting it apart from other Indian destinations. Christmas in Pondicherry celebrates its French heritage with a Marché de Noël, a festive event that features a Christmas market, a nativity play in the French Quarter, and wine-tasting sessions.
The old French Quarter lights up with elegant decorations reminiscent of Parisian Christmas displays, while the Notre Dame des Anges Church hosts a classical music concert featuring both European Christmas compositions and Indian classical interpretations of carols.
Local families maintain the tradition of attending midnight mass at the Notre Dame des Anges Church and Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, followed by réveillon—a festive Christmas Eve dinner featuring both French-inspired dishes like coq au vin and local seafood specialties. The Creole community adds its own flavor with dishes like fish vindaloo, prawn malai curry, and coconut-based desserts.
The Promenade Beach area becomes a hub for Christmas celebrations, with street performers, food stalls offering French-Indian fusion Christmas treats, and cultural performances showcasing the unique Franco-Tamil heritage of the region.
7. Bangalore
Photo from Mall of Phoenix Facebook page
Bangalore is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in India, and it has a vibrant cultural scene and an array of festive events. The city’s multicultural character means Christmas celebrations incorporate influences from various Christian communities—Mangalorean Catholics bring their spicy coastal flavors, Anglo-Indians contribute colonial-era traditions, and the growing urban population adds contemporary elements like themed parties and charity drives.
The 2025 holiday season is marked by festive events such as Sugar Factory Reloaded, Koramangala’s Christmas Eve party, and the Phoenix Mall of Asia’s Magical Christmas, featuring a grand Christmas tree, a Santa meet-and-greet, and more kid-friendly activities.
For a more traditional celebration, visit St. Mark’s Cathedral for the “Carols by Candlelight” service on December 24, where the historic cathedral glows with hundreds of candles as voices unite in singing timeless carols. The Church Street and Brigade Road areas are decked out with elaborate decorations, creating perfect backdrops for festive photographs and evening strolls.
Bangalore’s renowned bakeries like Albert Bakery, Koshy’s, and Iyengar Bakery see long queues for their famous Christmas cakes, cookies, and traditional treats. The city’s vibrant café culture extends to Christmas-themed pop-ups, with specialty coffee shops offering seasonal drinks like eggnog lattes, cinnamon hot chocolate, and spiced Christmas tea.
8. Delhi
Photo from Republic of Zoofari
Delhi is a must-visit place during Christmas in India as the city is hosting several Christmas Markets this year. One of the most notable is the 26th German Christmas Market and The Sorbet Soiree Christmas Market 2025, where you can shop and be entertained in one venue.
The tradition of Christmas markets, inspired by European Christmas bazaars, has grown in popularity in Delhi. These markets feature stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, gifts, winter woolens, Christmas decorations, and seasonal food items like gingerbread cookies, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts. The custom of charity drives during Christmas, with many organizations distributing gifts, clothes, and food to underprivileged communities, reflects the spirit of giving.
Those with children can head to the Christmas Wonderland at the Republic of Zoofari to participate in interactive activities, unique gifts, and delicious treats. The Sacred Heart Cathedral holds a spectacular Christmas mass with a live broadcast across the city.
Connaught Place transforms into a winter wonderland with Central Park decorated with Christmas trees, light installations, and festive displays. The India Gate area also features seasonal illuminations, making it a popular spot for evening outings during the Christmas season.
9. Kerala
Photo by Sanjay Kumar KS on Unsplash
Kerala, home to one of India’s oldest Christian communities, is among the best places to visit during Christmas in India. The custom of displaying large illuminated stars outside homes, known as “nakshathram,” symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and is a distinctive Kerala Christmas tradition. These stars, made of bamboo and colorful paper, light up entire neighborhoods throughout December.
The tradition of attending midnight mass in Kerala’s historic churches is particularly significant, with services often lasting until dawn and featuring beautiful Syriac hymns sung in Malayalam.
St. Mary’s Forane and St. Joseph’s Church hold special services and community carol singing, enhancing the celebrations. Unique Christmas cruises on the backwaters offer a memorable holiday experience, while traditional Kerala cuisines like Appam and stew or black halwa delight the senses.
Kerala’s Christmas feast, or “Kochukushivila,” traditionally includes appam (rice pancakes) with stew, duck roast or chicken curry, beef fry, payasam (sweet pudding), and the essential plum cake. The practice of preparing these dishes communally, with extended families gathering to cook together, is an important tradition. The custom of gifting homemade Christmas cakes and wine to neighbors and friends is deeply rooted in Kerala’s Christian culture.
10. Goa
Photo by Ryhor Bruyeu (Grisha Bruev) from Grisha Bruev
Goa‘s unmatched spirit makes it one of the vibrant centers for Christmas celebrations in India. The festivities begin with traditional novenas at historic churches, building anticipation for the grand midnight masses at churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Sé Cathedral, where the entire community gathers to sing carols and celebrate the birth of Christ in services that often extend past dawn.
The streets and beaches, particularly in areas like Anjuna, Vagator, Baga, and Calangute, are alive with fireworks displays, parties, and music events that continue through the night. Goan homes are decorated with “kunbi” patterns (traditional tribal art), stars, lights, and native plants like crotons and palms, creating a tropical Christmas aesthetic.
Meanwhile, the Fontainhas Latin Quarter in Panjim is beautifully illuminated with lights and decorations, offering perfect photo opportunities and a glimpse into Goa’s Portuguese heritage. Walking tours of the quarter during the Christmas season provide insights into traditional Goan Catholic Christmas customs and architecture.
Goan Christmas feasts are legendary, featuring traditional dishes that reflect Portuguese-Indian fusion: sorpotel (spicy pork stew with vinegar), vindaloo (fiery curry), beef roulade, pork bafat, prawn balchão (tangy pickle), served with sannas (fluffy rice bread) or pão. Desserts include bebinca (multi-layered coconut dessert, Goa’s signature Christmas sweet), dodol (sticky rice cake), neureos (sweet fried pastries with coconut filling), and kulkuls (deep-fried crispy sweets).
Takeaway
What makes Christmas in India truly special is the warmth and hospitality with which it is embraced. Homes are adorned with twinkling lights, churches are bedecked with intricate decorations, and the air is filled with the melodious strains of carols. It is a time when communities unite, transcending boundaries of religion, caste, and creed, to celebrate the universal message of love, joy, and hope.
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