Top 5 Places in India to Celebrate Christmas in 2023

HO HO HO… That joyous time of the year has come when every place on this planet is decorated with huge Christmas trees wrapped in red and white confetti, beautiful golden bells and candy sticks. When children excitedly wait for their presents and grown-ups look forward to spending quality time with friends and family. Though the best place to celebrate Christmas is home, there are quite a few destinations in India that would add tons of charm to this favourite festival of yours.

Read ahead to find out the best places to celebrate Christmas this year:

1. Goa

Goa, the party capital of India, is on top of this list owing to its magnificent beaches, vigorous nightlife and high Christmas-spirit. Owing to its roots embedded in the Christian religion, the state celebrates the festival with perfect blend of tradition and fun. Goa looks stunning around this time of the year as every house, office, restaurant, cafe and club is decorated with vibrant lights, poinsettia flowers and lit Christmas trees. You can witness locals building Santa Claus with sand on the beaches, enjoying lip-smacking snacks at the shacks and party with all their heart at one of the nightclubs in Goa. So, if budget is not constraint, then Goa is surely the best place to be during Christmas.

2. Kerala

If you’re looking forward to spending some peaceful moments with your family, you can head to the beautiful state of Kerala. Its Christian population and colonial-era churches contribute to the Christmassy feel of the destination. All big and small churches in Kerala are decorated and kept open on Christmas eve where people in large numbers gather, sing carols and exchange wishes. Kochi, Kovalam, Munnar, Wayanad and Kollam are among the best places to celebrate Christmas in Kerala. So, if you want to experience the true spirit of this merry-making festival, then plan a vacation in Kerala during this time.

3. Mumbai

Mumbai, the entertainment capital of the nation, is surely worth the visit during Christmas. Sparkling streets, markets, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs fill the city with Christmas-fever. Numerous events, parties and church masses take place for celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. Among the top places in Mumbai where Christmas celebrations are observed with full enthusiasm are Hill Road, Bandra and Church Gate.

4. Delhi

Delhi can be conveniently declared as the ‘Celebration Capital of India’; be it Diwali, Eid, Gurupurab or Christmas, the national capital territory of Delhi celebrates every festival with utmost joy and fervour. The entire city is decorated with lights and Christmas trees. Shopping malls and markets are also abuzz with the same spirit and offer astonishing discounts for customers on this special occasion. Nightclubs and cafes throughout the capital organize live performances by celebrated artists.

5. Pondicherry

Pondicherry or Puducherry is known as India’s Little France owing to its colonial connection which makes it picturesque destination around Christmas. This beautiful city looks even more stunning during Christmas owing to its opulent churches, a stunning seacoast and French-styled architecture. Quaint churches in the city like Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus hold all-night masses (in Tamil and English) for enlightening people about the true spirit of Christmas. In Pondicherry, you can experience a peaceful Christmas vacation by chilling by the beach during the evening and indulging in a night mass later.