Top 10 Places To Visit In India In December To Celebrate Christmas 2024 And New Year

India, renowned for its rich diversity, joyfully celebrates festivals from every faith. Whether Eid, Holi, or Christmas, each state resonates with the festive spirit. As the year comes to a close, excitement grows for the celebrations of Christmas and New Year’s. Here, we recommend the top ten perfect places to visit in India in December, known for their spectacular Christmas celebrations and exhilarating New Year’s Eve festivities. Here are the best places to visit in India in December:

Bengaluru

Bengaluru's nightlife is known to be exhilarating, and it is among the perfect places to visit in India in December. During Christmas, you can see bustling lines at beloved bakeries and streets beautifully illuminated with sparkling fairy lights, and the enchanting Yuletide spirit captivates everyone. Christmas is celebrated in churches adorned with beautiful carols and nativity decorations. New Year’s celebrations in the city feature friends, music, and plenty of dancing as people enthusiastically bid farewell to the year.

Kolkata

Kolkata's vibrant nightlife offers a diverse variety of activities to celebrate the end of the year. The city is among the perfect places to visit in India in December and provides plenty of exciting options, from New Year's Eve-themed bars to cruises on the Hooghly. Christmas in Kolkata is celebrated with great love and joy. In fact, it is known as "Boro Din," or the Big Day in the City of Joy. From Christmas bazaars to cakes and goodies in pre-Independence era bakeries to midnight mass in historic churches, and stunning illuminations, Kolkata goes all out for the holiday season. The best way to immerse yourself in the festive spirit is to visit Park Street, which has long been the centre of Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Since 2011, the state government has hosted a Christmas Carnival on a section of road just off Chowringhee, running until New Year's Day. The entire street is adorned with fairy lights, and the small Allen Park is beautifully decorated with Christmas installations and cribs. Evenings are filled with musical performances, adding to the festive atmosphere. Check our guide to a day of eating out in Park Street here. And do not miss the amazing Christmas celebrations at Bow Barracks in central Kolkata. This cluster of red brick apartments built to accommodate soldiers during World War 1, was later converted to housing for Anglo Indians. For the greater part of the year, the tenements lie forlorn, quiet. But it is a transformed place during Christmas.

Delhi

Prepare for an electrifying New Year's Eve in Delhi. From pulsating beats to dazzling fireworks, these parties promise to make your countdown to 2024 unforgettable. The capital city inevitably makes it into this list with its signature way of ending the year with partying to one's heart's content. Christmas alongside New Year’s is celebrated in high spirits here. The city gets adorned in beautiful Christmas decor which stays up till the year ends

Goa

Known for its electrifying nightlife, and a vibrant rave lifestyle, Goa comes alive during this time of the year. Goa is a festive paradise, radiating joy through its midnight masses, thriving bakeries, beautifully decorated churches, and lively street parties. This former Portuguese colony transforms into a magical wonderland, illuminated by twinkling lights, inviting everyone to embrace the season's spirit. Christmas masses invite tourists to join in while age-old churches are decorated with fairy lights. A few days after Christmas, the beaches of Goa buzz with lights and music as the year comes to an end. Check here for our list of places for a New Year's Eve sundowner in Goa.

Shillong

If you’re looking for a snowy way to bid farewell to 2024, consider travelling to Shillong to experience its winter celebrations. No other town in India embraces Christmas quite like this place. The European architecture, the sounds of midnight masses in the churches, the delightful aroma of Christmas cakes from local bakeries, and the twinkling streets all add to the charm. The Ridge, a popular local landmark, is beautifully adorned with Christmas lights and leads to Christ Church, the second oldest church in North India. The church hosts midnight masses and Christmas choirs. On New Year’s Eve, the city offers a variety of restaurants serving special delicacies to celebrate the year-end festivities. Check our guide on how to spend Christmas in Shillong.

Kerala

The backwaters of Kerala offer a magnificent setting in which to spend the last few days of the year. Many homes and streets are adorned to celebrate Christmas, attracting thousands of devotees who visit churches to offer prayers and attend holy mass. During this time, elaborate cakes and gifts are exchanged. Groups of young people can be seen singing Christmas carols while marketplaces buzz with vendors competing to sell beautiful Christmas trees, stars, and festive treats. The Nativity of Jesus is depicted through miniature models in churches and cathedrals, and Christmas Day is celebrated with family gatherings and traditional Christian feasts, accompanied by special Christmas cakes and wine. With ancient churches hosting Christmas services, Kerala is an excellent relaxing destination during the festivities. Enjoying a leisurely time on houseboats with good food and music is what you need to kickstart the new year.

Udaipur

Udaipur celebrates Christmas and New Year's in a truly regal manner. This vibrant lake city is the perfect destination for New Year's parties, with palace hotels opening their doors to welcome guests for a royal end to the year. Christmas is also celebrated here with great elegance. Be sure to visit the historic Shepherd Memorial Church to fully immerse yourself in the holiday spirit. From midnight prayers to retelling the birth of Jesus Christ, the church offers a meaningful journey through the Christmas season in Udaipur.

Mumbai

The Maximum City stays true to its name as it gears up to celebrate the last few days of the year with a blast. Experience the magic of Christmas in Bandra, where the celebrations are truly unparalleled. Take a delightful stroll from Mount Mary’s Basilica, through the charming heritage village of Ranwar, and up to St. Peter’s Church. Witness the splendour of churches being adorned for the season while enthusiastic vendors line the streets, offering Christmas trees, whimsical Santa Claus decorations, sparkling baubles, sweet candies, and delightful treats. Savour the aroma of freshly baked fruit cakes from local bakeries and admire East Indian and Goan families beautifying their homes with stunning star-shaped 'candles.' This vibrant atmosphere will surely fill you with the joy and spirit of the holiday season. You can find Christmas carols and masses being held on the eve of Christmas in all the churches around the city. As Christmas passes, the city presents a wide array of options to end the year. Be it lawn parties or cruise parties, the options here are endless. 

Pondicherry

Wrap up the year in a uniquely French-inspired way in Pondicherry, a town celebrated for its rich colonial heritage. Enjoy a serene Christmas as you stroll through the streets, admiring beautiful decorations and visiting churches that host enchanting carol services. The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and the Sacred Heart of Jesus host captivating midnight masses, where Indo-French traditions create a truly unique atmosphere. The town's charming beaches and quaint cafes and bakeries add to its allure, making it an ideal destination to unwind and celebrate the season. Performances featuring traditional dance and music inject a lively spirit into the celebrations. And don't miss the opportunity to indulge in the local cuisine, where French pastries blend seamlessly with South Indian flavours, creating a festive feast like no other. Take in the city's stunning architecture and explore some of the best New Year’s parties by the beach.

Shimla

With its old-world charm, Shimla is the perfect getaway if you are looking for a Christmas and New Year’s party that is a bit different from modern, frantic celebrations. Christmas in Shimla is celebrated as a grand affair, with the entire town illuminated for the festivities, the aroma of baked goodies, and a party vibe. Recently, Shimla has made headlines due to reports of snowfall this past Sunday, bringing joy to travellers. Shimla received snow, and other beautiful tourist spots in the region, such as Kufri and Narkanda, were also covered in white. Many locals have noted that this is the first time since the 1990s that Shimla has experienced snowfall in early December. If you're planning a magical winter wonderland holiday, check out our two-day itinerary for Shimla. Don’t miss the chance to ride the heritage Kalka-Shimla railway, one of the most picturesque train journeys in the country.