5 Places to Visit in India during Christmas and New Year

India is a diverse country where every festival is celebrated with much excitement. As the year comes to a close, many are now preparing for the much-awaited week of celebration, i.e. Christmas and New Year. 

If you are planning a holiday for the same, here are some of the best places to visit in December in India to enjoy the true spirit of these festivals:

• Goa
• Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Kolkata, West Bengal
• Puducherry
• Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Best Places to Celebrate Christmas and New Year in India

Christmas and New Year celebrations range from fun and dancing to close family gatherings and warm moments. Well, we have some destinations that are perfect for both.

Here are 5 places to visit in India during Christmas and New Year.

• Goa

Filled with many churches and beaches, Goa is one of the best places to visit in India on New Year and Christmas. 

On the one hand you have traditional celebrations and on the other there’s fun and partying. Midnight Mass is a famous Goa tradition you shouldn't miss on Christmas Eve. For New Year’s Eve, people usually visit restaurants, clubs or lively beach parties. Many beaches and clubs organise raging New Year's Eve parties. Also, the famous Sunburn Festival is held during those days. 

What’s also worth experiencing is that the streets, markets, and houses in Goa are adorned with colourful lights, decorations, and Christmas trees. This contrast in celebrations is the reason why Goa is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas and New Year in India.

This is also the time when most hotels and resorts are overbooked. Consider booking your stay in advance at one of Club Mahindra's resorts for a comfortable stay. 

• Mumbai, Maharashtra

Mumbai is one of the best places to visit for Christmas and New Year in India because of its multicultural population. Every festival is celebrated with great joy here.

With many foreigners and Anglo-Indians residing here, the Christmas celebrations here are a sight to enjoy. 

You can visit Mount Mary's Basilica in Bandra to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas and New Year. One of the top places to visit in India during the New Year, Mumbai also has some of the most sought-after New Year parties. 

Mumbai's markets and shopping streets come alive with people buying gifts, decorations, and festive treats. You'll find Christmas markets selling everything from decorations to handmade crafts and delicious sweets. This also makes Mumbai one of the top places to visit in India for holidays during Christmas and New Year.

• Kolkata, West Bengal

The country's capital during the British Raj, Kolkata, is one of the favourite places to visit in India during Christmas. It boasts of the most vibrant Christmas and New Year Celebrations. The streets look bright and colourful, and many live performances and concerts are organised during the week. 

The whole of Park Street is lit up, and a beautiful carnival is organised on Christmas Eve. St. Paul's Cathedral and St. James' Church are popular choices where you can experience the solemnity and joy of Christmas. So much festive spirit makes Kolkata one of the go-to places to celebrate Christmas in India.

The celebrations that start on Christmas continue till New Year. Many hotels, clubs, and restaurants host New Year's Eve parties with live music, DJ performances, and special dinner menus. Park Street is a popular area for New Year celebrations, with many venues organising exciting events.

• Manali, Himachal Pradesh

One of the most picturesque and best places In India to celebrate New Year along with a beautiful white Christmas, Manali is a favourite with many tourists. Away from the hustle and bustle of the metro cities, you can celebrate Christmas by making snowmen and enjoying activities like skiing.

Most resorts in India, like Club Mahindra White Meadows, celebrate this season with lit-up snowmen and serve hot treats for their guests to enjoy. In addition, local cafes and restaurants have lively parties to bring in the New Year, and the city's overall vibe is worth experiencing.

If you looking for a unique, magical and picturesque experience then Manali is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas and New Year in India.

• Puducherry

Famously known as the French capital of India, Puducherry is one of the top destinations of India to celebrate Christmas. It gives you a glimpse of the traditional Christmas celebrations filled with carol singing on the promenades, cute Christmas markets set up on the beaches, beautifully lit churches, and much more. It is an ideal holiday destination during December owing to the festivities and pleasant weather in this Union Territory of India. Stay at a resort in Puducherry hosted by Club Mahindra and make the most of your trip.

You should have a fantastic year-end celebration with many beautiful places to choose from. However, book your tickets and stay in advance because most places get fully booked during the festive season. Have you chosen your destination yet?