Who doesn’t love Christmas? With shops painted in hues of green and red, radios blasting out carols, and the marketplace selling all sorts of Christmas ornaments, people are always in good spirits! Kerala is not short of vibrance when it comes to its Christmas celebrations. Known as the gateway through which Christianity was spread, it won’t be surprising to see Christmas celebrations done with such passion. Thinking of joining in with the festivities? Read on to find how celebrating Christmas in Kerala will enrich your traveling experience.
Get Starstruck With Kochi’s Exuberant Celebrations
Christmas in Kerala is an unexplainable emotion, especially in a city like Kochi that takes celebrations to a whole new level! The amount of effort put in bringing out that festive cheer in this city will certainly astonish you. Just by walking on its streets, you will notice the vast array of stars displayed along its sidewalks. Don’t forget to eye the decorations on the Christmas trees too, as you’ll recognize a few quirky ornaments here and there.
Christmas celebrates community, and there’s no better place than a church to go to for this. Apart from the decorations that adorn its pillars, what takes the icing on the cake are the Christmas carols sung. The space filled with angelic voices singing “Silent Night” will surely give you goosebumps. While you’re soaking in the tunes, take a look at the cribs as well. Each crib is designed uniquely but tells the same story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Some churches in Kochi that are a must-see during Christmas are:
- Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
- Coonan Cross Church
- St. Francis Church
- St. George Ferona Church
- Koonankurishu Church
To add to the festive spirit, you’ve got the Cochin Carnival, a 10-day event of immense dancing, joy, and laughter. The atmosphere gets real electric when there’s a procession of vibrant floats, bands, and fancy costume parades. Try to get a view of these performances for an even more memorable Christmas.
Also, for our art enthusiasts, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Asia’s biggest arts festival, is held around this time. From music performances to movie screenings, to art sculptures, you will learn more about the talent “God’s Own Country” possesses.
And if you need a place to rest your head after indulging in all this vibrancy, drop into our goSTOPS property in Kochi. We’re much closer to the action!
Buy A Bit Of Christmas Cheer From Trivandrum
The capital city of Kerala has a lot in store (pun intended) for you. But before we talk about the marketplaces, let us take a moment to appreciate the Christmas star decor around the L.M.S compound. This really lifts the festive mood to a different tangent. Plus, who doesn’t like shopping in an area surrounded by a multitude of Christmas stars?
Coming to the marketplace of Trivandrum, check out Chalai Market and Palayam market. You get practically everything – from sweets and Christmas trees to swanky souvenirs and to homemade stars. These markets are bursting with the Christmas spirit! And the best part is, the prices won’t burn a hole in your pockets at all. If you enjoy a bit of wine, then head down to the Connemara market. Enjoy sipping while you stroll the bustling lanes. But don’t overdo it, it’s best to remain in the Christmas spirit by not overdoing the other spirits!
If you want to buy gifts from a more formal structure, then Trivandrum has its shopping centers to cover you. This makes shopping even more convenient, eliminating the need to walk long distances. Here are some outlets you should aim to visit:
- Pothys: For chocolates, cakes, wines, and electronics
- Travancore Mall: For luxurious items
- Saphalyam Complex: For Christmas cards, stars, and showpieces
- Kedaram Shopping Complex: For its variety of cards
Attend Midnight Mass At Munnar
If you’re celebrating Christmas in Kerala, make sure to also include Munnar to your itinerary. It is the best treat you can give to your loved one(s). Having lush plantations complement the backdrop of decorative houses makes the landscape even more appealing and rewarding.
Followers of Christianity attend a service just a few hours before midnight, known as a ‘midnight mass’. What makes attending this service in Munnar different is the chilly misty weather. With temperatures ranging between 10°C and 15 °C, you will indeed enjoy the pleasant recitation of prayers even more. You don’t need to be a Christian or Catholic to attend this Christmas Mass, so don’t hesitate to drop by! Here are some churches in Munnar having an aesthetic view of the landscape:
- Marthoma Church
- Church of South India
- Christian Shree
- CSI Church
After you’ve attended midnight mass, continue the celebration in goSTOPS, Munnar. We have a vibrant community and a bonfire to keep you warm and cozy.
Last But Not The Least: The Scrumptious Food
Can you even celebrate without Christmas food? A family get-together with a large spread is a tradition among most Christine Keralite households. The Christmas cake, made with an assortment of dry fruits soaked in wine for over 40 days, is the star batter. Home-made wine is also prepared to quench the thirst, mainly after midnight mass. A rich Christmas cake along with a smooth wine: Merry Christmas, indeed!
Achappam cookies (made of coconut milk), and Uniappam ( made with rice, jaggery, and banana) are the sweets you need to relish. If you want to buy an assortment of these sweets, here are some famous bakeries you need to visit:
- Mambally’s Royal Biscuit Factory, Thalassery
- Best Bakery, Kochi
- Beurre De Vanille Bakery, Kochi
- Anns Bakery & Confectionery, Kottayam
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas In Kerala
If you’ve been meaning to experience what its like to be celebrating Christmas in Kerala, don’t hesitate in planning a vacation here. Celebrating the birth of God in “God’s Own Country” makes the atmosphere even more surreal. You don’t have to look out for a place to stay as Mary and Joseph did. Bunk in our goSTOPS properties. We have ones in Alleppey, Munnar, and Kochi. Experience true Christmas spirit by interacting with like-minded travelers from around the country, and have a Christmas to remember.
FAQs
How Is Christmas Celebrated In Kerala?
Christmas in Kerala is celebrated by the door-to-door carol singing, sharing food with neighbors, and family get-togethers. These three elements capture the Christmas spirit in Kerala.
Where Can I Spend Christmas In Kerala?
You can spend Christmas in any part of Kerala. But to have an enthralling Christmas experience, places you should visit are:
- Kochi – for the extravagant celebrations and out of the box decorations
- Trivandrum – for Christmas shopping
- Munnar – for a scenic experience of midnight mass
What Are The Places From Where We Can Shop In Trivandrum?
For affordable purchases visit Chalai Market and Palayam market. If you want to buy alcohol, the Connemara market will suit you well. You can always bank on Trivandrum’s shopping centers for electronics or other expensive items.
