How To Celebrate Christmas In Mumbai

Christmas is celebrated with much fervor in Mumbai, and it isn’t just the city’s dynamic Christian – mostly Catholic – community that makes sure it is done right. Mumbaikars from across the religious spectrum have their own ways of celebrating this special occasion. With well-attended Masses held at historic churches, citywide jolly decorations, Christmas-themed parties and events, and plenty of festive dining options, Christmas in Mumbai is an affair not to miss!

Christmas Midnight Mass

Mumbai is home to many historic churches, most of which hold special Christmas Midnight Masses that attract thousands of faithful from across the city. The following three churches are particularly popular for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Mount Mary’s Basilica, Bandra

This landmark basilica near the Taj Lands End in Bandra sits atop a hillock overlooking the Arabian Sea. The first edifice at the hillock is considered to have been built around 1570, with it having been rebuilt in 1640 and then again in 1760. While the current church structure is only over one hundred years old, the church’s statue of Mother Mary is believed to have been brought to India by the Portuguese in the 16th century. With carols starting around 11:30 pm, Mount Mary Basilica’s Midnight Mass draws an audience not only from Bandra but also the entire city.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, Bandra West, Mumbai, India

Gloria Church, Byculla

Though originally dating to 1632 when it was built at the foot of the Mazagaon hill, this majestic church was shifted to its current Byculla location between the years 1911 and 1913. With iconic tall towers and impressive stained glass, this English Gothic-style church is one of Byculla’s most popular landmarks. Attending Midnight Mass here is one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas Eve in the city.

Gloria Church, Sant Savata Mali Marg, Byculla East, Mazgaon, Mumbai, India

Saint Andrew’s Church

While not a ‘Midnight’ Mass per se – considering it starts at 10:30 pm – the Christmas Mass at this historic Bandra church is among the most popular in the city. Built by Portuguese Jesuits in 1575, this church has been a landmark in Bandra for over four centuries. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, Saint Andrew’s is a truly magical place in which to spend Christmas Eve.

Saint Andrew’s Church, 115, Hill Road, Near Holy Family Hospital, Bandra West, Mumbai, India

http://instagram.com/p/BMyIBaVBPYd/

Christmas Street Shopping

Mumbai’s many fabulous markets transform around this time of year to cater to all of your Christmas shopping needs – from Christmas trees and decorative ornaments to Santa costumes. Hill Road in Bandra is the city’s top Christmas shopping stop. You will find streetside stalls selling decoration items, festive sweets, and treats at very affordable prices. Colaba Causeway in Colaba and Crawford Market in Fort are your best options if you are looking to shop for Christmas decorations or other items in South Mumbai.

Hill Road: Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, India

Crawford Market: Dhobi Talao, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, India

Colaba Causeway: Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Colaba, Mumbai, India

http://instagram.com/p/BGJ_BY3BhHu/

Christmas Parties

Many of the city’s favorite bars and nightclubs host coveted Christmas Eve parties. With celebrity DJs spinning the hippest tracks, plenty of festive-themed food and drinks, plus energetic crowds, you are sure to have a good time. Exo at the Palladium Hotel in Lower Parel and Trilogy in Juhu host some of the most happening Christmas parties in Mumbai every year.

Exo, Level 37, The St. Regis Mumbai, 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, India, +91 22 6162 8422

Trilogy, Hotel Sea Princess, 969, Juhu Tara Rd, Airport Area, Juhu, Mumbai, India, +91 22 2646 9689

http://instagram.com/p/BNXPhlthd6s/

Christmas Dinner

Fear not if you are not planning on cooking or heading over to anyone’s home for your Christmas meal this year. The city’s restaurants offer a range of Christmas Eve as well as Christmas day meal options. Indigo, among the best restaurants in the city, as well as Lotus Cafe at the JW Marriott Hotel are sought-after choices for a Christmas meal splurge.

Indigo, 4 Mandlik Road, Colaba, Mumbai, India, +91 22 6636 8999

Lotus Cafe, JW Marriot, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai, India, +91 22 6693 3344

http://instagram.com/p/BHT-lKZDuec/

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.