The month of December is very special to everyone as it marks the beginning of holiday season followed by Christmas and new year. These are the two most special occasions where one can enjoy with their family members and enjoy quality time with them. As Christmas is approaching, it is a wonderful festival where relationships are renewed and one can experience the serene environment full of festive spirit developed around us. Who does not love Santa Claus and gifts presented by him? Or wonderful voices of Christmas carols coming from nearby churches? This festival is the special occasions when Jesus Christ came into this world and made it a very mystical place to live. The streets are set up and decorated with wonderful lights, the smell of pleasant wines and cakes from bakeries make us fall in love with them. The amazingly decorated Christmas tree with shining balls and stars and the snow dancing in the atmosphere makes us fall in love with this special day.
If you are living a hectic lifestyle schedule and just got Christmas holiday, you need to pack up your bags immediately and visit these magical places in India during the Christmas holidays –
- Goa
This place is drenched completely with lights and celebration when Christmas is arriving. The Christmas celebration in Goa is quite unique and full of mystical adventures. One can visit the famous Christmas carnival which is held every year in Goa. There are almost more than 400 churches in Goa where a special tradition called Midnight Mass takes place every year. Thousands of people gather around churches to celebrate this special occasion with their loved ones and families. The main attraction of Goa is the “Basilica of Born Jesus”, this is the oldest church in Goa and thousands of people gather here to offer prayers here. The whole sky during Christmas and a new year are drenched with fireworks and lights which will surely prove to be a wonderful moment. The nightlife of Goa is full of techno parties, trance parties, DJ nights etc which will give you pleasant memories and good vibes. If you are planning to travel Goa with your friends and families then you can also book a private boat or cruise and enjoy sunset party in Mandovi river followed by eating special Portuguese dishes such as Bebinca, Dodol, and Colored Marzipan. Goa attracts a large number of foreign tourists every year during the time of Christmas and there are plenty of hotels, resorts and cheap liquors you can get easily.
- Kerela
Christmas celebration in Kerela is full of Joy and blissful. The cathedrals, churches, streets, shopping malls, are well decorated with twinkling lights which never fails to mesmerize people. There are a number of Christmas plays and carols being held in a number of churches and different delicious cribs which a person can enjoy with their friends and family members. Many children from schools and colleges make groups and participate in carol competitions held in churches and bring Santa Claus along with them. Christmas in Kerela starts a week before 25th December, every evening people gather in churches to decorate and enjoy the festive food items. On Christmas night, there is a huge gathering of people too. Big cities in Kerela like Calicut and Kochi are well dressed up in lights and there are different types of parties organized in beaches. People often go to several resorts in Munnar to enjoy Eravikulam park and also Alappuzha to enjoy Christmas in blackwater cruises or beach parties. If you are planning to spend your Christmas holidays in Kerela, you can also visit Kovalam for lighthouse beach, Kumarakom for Vembanad lake, Kozhikode for Kappad beach, Varkala for Varkala beach and even Kottayam for waterfalls and old churches.
- Shimla
Shimla is one of the most popular destinations of tourists especially in the month of December. Shimla is also regarded as the queen of hills as this place looks stunning in the month of December because of the snowfall in this area. Shimla is the best place to enjoy your Christmas and new year as there are a number of hotels and resorts which provide the perfect treat for the people. There is a much beautiful attraction in such as Shimla city, Masora, Kufri, Narkanda, Rohru and summer hill. Shimla city is famous for its scenic beauty and colonial charm which looks breathtaking in evenings. The shopping alleys, mall road, Christ church, all look wonderful during Christmas time. Narkanda is the skiing destination which is located approximately 2 hours away from the majestic Shimla city. Rohru is a small pace located in Shimla which is famous for orchid and apple production. This small town Rohru is present near the Pabbar river. During Christmas, one can enjoy the heavy snowfall and tout fishing activities in this place. If you want to escape the hectic hustle bustle of life then you should surely visit Summer hill to retreat the love for nature and enjoy the deodar trees covered with snow alongside the road. One can also visit Kufri, which is located 17 kilometers away from Shimla city where you can enjoy skiing, horse riding and also enjoy the serene wildlife and environment of Himalayan National Park.
- Pondicherry
Pondicherry is the well known Christmas celebration spot which is inspired by French conies, culture as well as their old vintage tradition. Almost all the resorts, beaches, hotels, streets look amazing and magnificent during the Christmas time and drop the comfort and luxury of life everywhere in the environment. For people who love to treat themselves with the joy of spirit, they can explore the heaven in midst of beach sand and dazzling sea waves. The weather during the month of December will be cold and extremely pleasant and perfect for Christmas. There are many old churches like the church of lady of angels, Basilica of the sacred heart, The Cathedral of our lady and many more which you can visit and offer prayers and services. You can also indulge in adventurous fun activities such as boating, fishing, scuba diving and eat different french cuisines from traditional restaurants. The night of Christmas and the new year is full of dance, parties, fireworks, and cocktails which you can enjoy with your friends and families especially if you are a party animal and love the thrill of music. There are many other magical places to visit in Pondicherry such as botanical gardens, Chunnambar boat house, Paradise beaches, French restaurants and quarters and many other breathtaking places to give you a lifelong memory.
- Mussoorie
This is one of the best hill stations in India which is also known as the queen of hills and is snow laden during the month of December and January. Usually, this place can be visited as a part of a road trip too. There are a number of restaurants, hotels, resorts, waterfalls which are beautifully decorated during the time of Christmas celebration. The people of Mussoorie are quite a warm and friendly and welcomes people with open heart. One can enjoy Christmas celebration in many magical places in Mussoorie such as Lal Tibba, Camelback road, Hotel JW Marriot, Jharipani waterfall, mall road, Benog wildlife sanctuary, Happy Valley, Company garden, Mist lake, Cloud’s end, and Vinog Mountain Quail sanctuary. There are a number of places which one can explore in Mussoorie during their Christmas holiday stay here. There are different concerts, pubs, parties and several events in which you can participate during your stay. Do not forget to book resorts and hotels at least a month ago as this place gets a huge number of visitors every year. Don’t forget to enjoy fun activities such as fishing, boating, skiing and enjoying the scenic view of emerald water and hills from the ropeways. You can even visit the cloud’s end and do camping there. A bonfire with marshmallows will be the perfect thing you can ever dream of.
- Sikkim
This is the perfect scenic paradise which is located at an altitude of 5,410 feet. Spending a few days in Sikkim during Christmas holidays will be the perfect vacation for you. Sikkim is well known for stunning places such as Lake Tsomgo, Bumthang valley of flowers, Gurudongmar lake, Khangchendzonga national park, Goecha la, Khechepalri lake and many more places which attracts a number of visitors during the time of Christmas.You can enjoy the misty clouds, beautiful sunsets, serene environment, holy churches, and breathtaking stunning surroundings during your stay. Hope city church, Thomas church, and Baptist church are the well-known churches where you can offer your Christmas prayers. In the month of December, Sikkim almost turns into heaven as the hills are covered with snow. The snow laded hilly town of Sikkim are well decorated with lights and Christmas tree. You can go skiing, enjoy the scenic view of ropeways, trekking, enjoy bonfires, music etc. There are a number of coffee shops and cafes where you can enjoy the perfect Christmas celebrations and try out different cuisines and local traditional food. Don’t forget to do snowball fight with your friends and build a snowman.
- Kolkata
Believe it or not, Kolkata an urban city can be the perfect place for Christmas celebrations too. This ideal place conducts and Christmas festival every year in the month of December which attracts a huge number of tourists all around the world. You will be surely perplexed to know that Kolkata Christmas festival is India’s largest Christmas carnival festival in India. Hundreds of school children participate in a two hour Christmas table and different parades in which different local bands and choir groups participate too. One can enjoy visiting different churches and offering prayers there. Some of the historical churches in Kolkata are St John’s church, Armenian church of Kolkata, St Thomas church, St. Andrews church, St. George church and the church of our lady of Vailankanni. These churches are well decorated with lights and music and offer visitors delicious cakes made up of red wine. The Kolkata Christmas festival is celebrated every year in the Allen park where several live performances, music events, DJ nights and parties are organized. There are many places one can visit in Kolkata such as Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Kalighat Kali Temple, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, the famous Indian Museum, Marble Palace, Maiden, New town eco-park and several other stunning places. Kolkata is well known for their traditional cuisine eateries and dishes which one can enjoy during their stay in Kolkata.
- Daman and Diu
If you want to experience the breathtaking extraordinary Christmas celebration, then nothing can be better than enjoying your Christmas holidays in Daman and Diu. Daman and Diu is the land of the last bastion of the Portuguese empire and serene land of sand and sea. Both these places are almost 650 kilometers apart but well connected by air transport. Christmas celebration in Daman in quite famous for Portuguese dance performed in various churches such as the Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary and remedy church of lady. This town is full of scenic beauty and greenery which reflects the feeling of charm and joy in everyone’s mind. Along the seaside of Arabian sea, there are several hotels, resorts, coffee shops and clubs where you can stay during your Christmas celebrations. Diu is influenced by the culture of Portuguese and gets alive during the Christmas Eve. Several public fairs and midnight masses are held where people can party, dance and drink cocktails. The people of Daman and Diu are quite warm and cheerful and welcomes visitors with goodwill and spirit of charm. A holiday weekend in Daman and Diu can be the best option for a wonderful Christmas celebration.
The above-mentioned places are the most stunning places which one can visit during their Christmas holidays. Christmas is all about the fun, joy, and happiness which you share along with your friends and families. So, what are you waiting for? Start packing your bags and travel to these mystical places for a lifelong memory.
