Christmas in India is a special celebration. It’s not a festival that’s confined to the inner city or the private sphere — it’s a feast that’s out in the streets, on the beaches, at the churches and in the marketplaces, and surrounds the entire nation in sparkling lights, songs, and freshly baked plum cake. Three places in India are particularly notable for their celebration of Christmas: Goa, Kolkata and Kerala. With a holiday in December looming, these three destinations should be at the top of your list.

Let’s explore what makes each of these destinations special during the festive season, what to expect to see and do and why that makes booking with a trusted tour and travel agency in India a lot less stressful. We’ll also discuss the reasons why it is always wise to try out Christmas trip packages in India.

Why India Is a Surprising Christmas Destination

Christmas is not immediately associated with many travellers with India. It is more often associated with the country’s festivals such as Diwali, Holi or its various regional celebrations. However, India has a long and rich Christian history, especially in the states of Goa and Kerala, and cosmopolitan cities such as Kolkata.The Portuguese, British and missionary influences in India have left a lasting legacy of Christianity, particularly in states such as Goa and Kerala and cities like Kolkata. This history has found its way into some truly memorable Christmas traditions, that combine western traditions with distinctly Indian flavor.

From the beach parties to colonial architecture, midnight mass to backwater cruises – India in December has got everything for every type of traveller.

Goa: Christmas by the Beach

Imagine Christmas without snow and fireplace and with sun and sand instead—Goa is at the top of the list!

Churches Dressed in Lights

The state of Goa, having been colonised by the Portuguese, is scattered with grand and centuries old churches and during Christmas they truly come to life. The lighting of the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral is elaborate, and Midnight Mass here is a very moving experience, attracting the devout and the inquisitive alike, in Old Goa. If you have no religious affiliation, it is definitely worth seeing what it’s like to stand inside one of these colonial era lit churches on Christmas Eve.

Beach Parties and Festivities

After the religious celebrations are over, Goa turns into a big party. Beaches such as Baga, Calangute, Anjuna and Palolem have huge parties during Christmas and New Year’s, with live music, DJs and fireworks displays, along with barbeque parties on the beach. Resorts and shacks decorate themselves to the hilt, have Santa Claus, and offer special holiday menus. Goa is the best place to experience the nightlife during December with a laid-back beach ambiance.

Local Christmas Traditions

The Goan houses prepare very elaborate sweet dish named “Kuswar” which consists of neureos (sweet dumplings), marzipan, sweets made from coconut and rich plum cakes soaked in the local rum or feni. Many homestays and boutique hotels welcome visitors to participate in these customs and offer a unique experience of local Christmas festivities, and not a touristy one.

Here are some practical tips on visiting Goa during December

Reserve early—December is a busy time for travelers to book up.
The traditional and the culture-oriented Christmas are best enjoyed in Old Goa and Panjim.

If you’re looking for a party beach, search the beaches in North Goa, and for a more laid back and relaxed atmosphere, go to South Goa.

Kolkata: City of Lights during Christmas

Once styled Calcutta, Kolkata is a city of colonial charm beautifully embodied during the Christmas season. As a place for British trading, the city has a long history of celebrating the season with genuine enthusiasm, and also has a strong Anglo-Indian community.

Park Street: The Heart of Christmas in Kolkata

Talking about Christmas in Kolkata without Park Street is incomplete. Every December, this iconic road becomes a glittering avenue of lights, decorations and holiday cheer. Delicate displays are erected by restaurants, bakeries and cafes along the street, and locals gather here in the evening to simply enjoy the scene, sip some mulled wine or coffee, and get a bit of live music.

Historic Churches and Cathedrals

Some extraordinary churches can be found in Kolkata such as St. Paul’s Cathedral (India’s largest church) and the Armenian Church (India’s oldest church in the city). Beautifully decorated Christmas services and carol sessions are held at these venues which draw visitors from all religions and backgrounds.

Christmas Markets and Food

The festive season is particularly festive in Kolkata. The Jewish community has long run the city’s bakeries, such as Nahoum’s in the New Market area, known for their delicious fruitcakes, cookies and pastries. There are also street stalls selling the traditional Christmas goodies, roasted chestnuts, and hot drinks, so you can have a fun evening walk through the city and enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells.

Why Kolkata Stands Out

While Goa’s beach party scene is intoxicating and fun-loving, Kolkata has a more vintage and quaint Christmas ambiance. The colonial style structures, tram tracks and the lantern-lit streets have a timeless feel, making it ideal for visitors who wish to enjoy culture and history within their festive celebrations.

Walking the Blue Mountains Trail

Staggering in their beauty, the natural wonders of Kerala are also the oldest and most well developed Christian community in India, with traditions tracing back almost two thousand years with the coming of St. Thomas the Apostle. This adds an authenticity and depth to Kerala’s Christmas celebrations that few other places can boast of.

Fort Kochi: A Christmas Wonderland

Fort Kochi, having Dutch and Portuguese colonial architecture is particularly enchanting in the festive season. Streets are filled with huge Santa Claus figures, lights and Christmas star-shaped lanterns (called “Christmas stars”) which are strung from virtually every house and shop. The town also celebrates an unusual tradition of burning large effigies of old men to identify the old year, as part of a big New Year’s Eve celebration.

Backwater Cruises with a Twist for the Holidays

December is the magical time of the year in the Kerala backwaters. As you float past the palm lined canals of Alleppey and Kumarakon you will find many houseboat owners are lit up with lights and provide special Christmas Eve dinners. Viewing the sunset over the water, with festive decorations all around is one of the more serene ways to celebrate the season.

Church Visits and Midnight Mass

There are a tremendous number of historic churches in Kerala and among the many are the Santa Cruz Basilica in Kochi, and the smaller village churches throughout the state. Midnight Mass here is usually a moving community gathering which is subsequently marked by a family feast of traditional Kerala Christmas dishes such as spiced meat stews, appams and homemade wine.

Weather Advantage

December is also one of the best months to visit the Kerala weather, after the monsoon and pleasant cool weather for sightseeing as well as outdoor revelries.

Which One to Pick: A Comparison of the Three

• Then, if you’re looking for beach parties, boisterous nightlife, and a party atmosphere with a tropical flair, you should go to Goa.
• If you have an interest in colonial history, street foods and the old world charm of Christmas, then choose Kolkata!
• If you prefer traditions that go deep into the roots, serenity in the backwaters and a community integrated celebration then consider Kerala.

If you have the time, then you can experience two or all three of the destinations together in a multi-city trip to see how Christmas is celebrated in such diversity and layers in India.

When planning a trip, it is important to understand why you should hire a travel expert.In planning a trip, it is important to understand why you should hire a travel expert.

Goa, Kolkata and Kerala are busy during December and it is the best time to travel to all three. This is where a professional tour and travel agent in India can come in handy. With a good agency, you don’t have to deal with these common issues that are often associated with last-minute travel arrangements, such as overpriced tickets, no rooms available, and too heavy of a schedule for you.

Instead of booking independently, you can check with the well-designed packages of India Tour to get a pre-decided package which you can enjoy throughout the tour without any hassles. Many of these packages also come with local guides who can take you through cultural details you may not have known otherwise – like the best churches for catching the most memorable Midnight Mass, or the best bakery for the best plum cake in town.

Final Thoughts

Christmas in India is an extraordinary experience—one that’s defined by a warm ocean breeze in Goa, a twinkling colonial street in Kolkata and the candle-lit backwaters in Kerala. Each place has its own character, its own long history, its own tradition of celebrating Christmas, but all three have that infectious spirit of joy and togetherness which makes Christmas special anywhere.

If you’re looking for a Christmas getaway that’s a little unique, check out any — or all — of these three amazing spots this December. But when arranging the trip seems like a daunting task, talking to a trusted travel partner or considering packages can make your dream vacation a reality without the stress, allowing you to enjoy the lights, the music, the food and the amazing things that will be created.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas this year (no matter where you go in India)