Streets decked with twinkling lights, trees wreathed with sparkling decorations, the sound of 'Jingle Bells' and carols in the air, and the delicious aroma of baked goodies emanating from bakeries — it's that time of the year again! Christmas is around the corner.
While we know that India doesn't celebrate Christmas like other parts of the world, but we do have our own set of traditions that make this winter holiday so very special. So, instead of sitting at home this time around, take yourself and your loved ones to one of these charming places in the country to make the most of the Festival of Joy.
If you're looking for a wholesome Christmas experience, the Tamara Coorg is the place to be. Every year, the resort hosts the Tamara Carnival– a showcase of the best of Indian performing arts under one roof – in the last week of December. This year, the carnival starts on December 22. In addition to this, there are grand feasts, guided tours of the coffee plantation, trekking tours and spa sessions to indulge in.
Perfect for: A multi-cultural Christmas celebration with enough time to relax and unwind
Price: ₹20,000 per night onwards for a luxury cottage accommodating two adults and two children (rate inclusive of breakfast, festival tickets, and coffee plantation tour)
You can't talk about Christmas in India without talking about Goa! No matter what kind of experience you are looking for, this tiny state has it all and its party scene is unparalleled. But even if you head to Goa for Christmas with your family, you will be delighted by the cheer and festivities all around. What makes Estrela Do Mar perfect for Christmas celebrations is its strategic location on Calangute Beach and proximity to the city centre, where all the action takes place. There are grand feasts, special activities for children and all night parties on the beach here.
Perfect for: Beach lovers looking for a balance between partying and spending time with family
Price: ₹4,000 onwards for a standard double occupancy room (including breakfast)
With a sizeable population of Catholics, Christmas in Shillong is a grand affair. What makes it special, however, is the fact that it is cheerful but peaceful at the same time – something that has been possible because it is still growing as a winter travel destination. The Heritage Club-Tripura Castle is the ideal place to be during the festival. They host a Christmas fair each year with live music, bonfires, special activities for kids and chances to win a one-night free stay at the boutique hotel.
Perfect for: Nature lovers and those looking for a peaceful Christmas
Price: ₹5,500 onwards for a double occupancy room (breakfast included)
If a luxurious Christmas is what you're looking for, then look no further than Le Pondy Beach and Lake Resort in Pondicherry. Complete with gorgeous villas, private pools, a private beach and mouth-watering delicacies, this place is #vacationgoals. There are special activities for children and grand meals during festivals. Add to that the French sub-culture that runs through the very veins of Pondicherry and you've got yourself a fabulous Christmas getaway. If you're planning to head here, however, make sure you book well in advance; this property gets sold out pretty quickly.
Perfect for: Those looking for a luxurious Christmas getaway
Price: ₹8,000 onwards for a double occupancy lake-view room (breakfast included)
What better place to ring in the Christmas celebrations, than the last stronghold of the Portuguese in India. Daman is a melting pot of Gujarati and Portuguese cultures, making Christmas celebrations here truly unique. Although not as popular as Goa, Daman is slowly becoming a coveted destination to celebrate this festival. The major attractions are its various churches and Portuguese dance celebrations. Villa Mati – The Farm located in Vapi, about 13km from Daman, is the ideal place to stay as it gives you seclusion while being at an arms distance from all celebrations. There's horse riding and a few other games to keep the children busy, while you unwind and relax. Spend the day at the resort and head to Daman during the evenings to get the best of both worlds.
Perfect for: A large family/group looking to celebrate a Portuguese-style Christmas
Price: ₹18,000 onwards for the entire villa that can accommodate up to 20 people (breakfast included)
With the largest population of Christians in the state, Christmas is serious business in Kerala and there is no place like Cochin to celebrate the festival. The entire city comes alive with homes and churches decorated with ornamental lights and Christmas trees. This is also the time that the famous shopping festival Kochi Muziris Biennale and the Cochin Carnival take place. Located in the heart of the city, Rossitta Wood Castle is the ideal stay due to its proximity to Santacruz Basilica Kochi, the Dutch cemetery, Paradesi synagogue and other attractions that are done up during the festival time.
Perfect for: Families looking to celebrate a traditional Christmas with complete fanfare
Price: ₹5,000 onwards for a double occupancy room (breakfast included)
Christmas isn't really complete unless there's fun and games in the snow and it is for this very reason that we have Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa on our list of must-visit places during this festive season. The hotel is all decked up for the winter festivities—decorated Christmas trees, lit fireplaces and grand feasts during the week, you get to experience the Festival of Joy in all its glory. In addition to a white Christmas, you also get to experience luxury at its finest and ski down the slopes in Gulmarg. Now that is what we call a Christmas adventure.
Perfect for: Adventure lovers and families looking to celebrate a white Christmas
Price: ₹16,500 onwards for a premiere double occupancy room (breakfast included)
If we're talking about Christmas in the snow, we can't not mention Shimla. The festival is celebrated with much fervour here and the streets come alive with tourists and locals spreading cheer all around. If you're looking for an activity-filled white Christmas, then Shimla is the place to be. And located right in the centre of the city, Clarkes Hotel offers great accommodation. Just a few minutes walk from Mall Road and the famous Christ Church, this hotel offers several options for families and solo travellers. They have a grand feast on Christmas Day and the festivities go on for a week.
Perfect for: Those looking for a lively Christmas experience in the snow
Price: ₹6,500 onwards for a double occupancy room (breakfast included)
If you thought Durga Puja was the only festival Bengalis celebrate with fervour, you need to visit Kolkata during Christmas time. Catholic or not, people of Kolkata celebrate Christmas with as much vigour as in the West, thanks to a large Anglo-Indian population here. Light & Sound exhibitions, live music performances, sparkling decor and heavy discounts on shopping, Kolkata has it all! And located in the heart of the city's main shopping district is the Oberoi Grand – a luxurious property that will help you experience the best of Christmas. They have a Christmas Eve feast, a ball on the 25th and then a grand party on New Year's Eve. And the best part? Children stay for free.
Perfect for: Those looking to experience Christmas the Anglo-Indian way, as well as those wanting to celebrate the festival with maximum vigour and enthusiasm
Price: ₹30,000 onwards for a classic suite accommodating two adults and two children (breakfast included)
If you're looking to celebrate Christmas with a difference, away from the hustle-bustle of the city, Novotel Imagica, located in Khopoli is the perfect getaway. Located just about an hour's drive from Mumbai and Pune, this place offers the best of adventure and relaxation for the ideal family trip. It has great schemes for Christmas and New Years and owing to its proximity to Adlabs Imagica, it is a much-sought after place for families with children. The best part is that you can head to Mumbai if you're looking for a wilder party scene.
Perfect for: Theme park and adventure lovers; families looking to unwind while leaving their kids engaged in activities
Price: ₹6,500 onwards for a double occupancy room (breakfast included)
What has been your best Christmas experience? Write about it on Tripoto and help the community grow.
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
