Sing Jingle Bells on top of your voice. Go ahead, miss a note or two. You can sing completely flat or even try your hand at the highest notes. Bet the whole world will join in too!
Shimla
Christ Church
Built in the 18th century, this church is a brilliant example of Gothic architecture. With impeccable glasswork and an organ to its credit, the Christ Church is one of the few places where you can request the Presbyter for a special carol to be sung on Christmas. Overlooking the vibrant Mall Road, this church is a symbol of the hill station of Shimla for many.
Address: The Mall, Near Municipal Library, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 12:00 AM
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 12:00 AM
St. Michael’s Cathedral
This majestic piece of architecture was built in the 19th century and is one of the very few Catholic Churches in Shimla. Depicting various details of the French Gothic style, this church isn’t the most famous in Shimla but is remarkably beautiful.
Address: Rippon Place, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Telephone: +91-177-2804249
Mass Timings: 11:30 PM onwards
Carol Timings: 10:30 PM onwards
Kolkata
Saint Paul’s Cathedral
With its grecian pillars and Indo-Gothic architecture, this place is very warm and welcoming. Stained glass windows, artistically carved pews and chairs, walls decked in intricate mural paintings and an equally breathtaking facade are just a few features of this marvellous church.
Address: 1A, Cathedral Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Telephone: +91-33-22230127
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 6:00 PM Christmas: 7:30 AM
Carol Timings: Carol singing follows the service.
St. Andrews Church
The church is a fine example of splendid architectural beauty. You cannot help but admire it even with your very first step inside. St. Andrew’s Church believes in the Presbyterian form of worship. The serene ambience makes you feel as though God is actually listening to you here.
Address: 15 B.B.D Bagh North, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Telephone: +91-33-22301994
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 9:30 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Carol singing follows the service.
Sacred Heart Church
Founded in the year 1832, this majestic church will leave you spellbound with its excellent architecture. Located in a nice, sprawling campus, Sacred Heart Church was blessed on 30th March, 1834, which was Easter Sunday that year.
Address: Lenin Sarani, Bow Bazaar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Telephone: +91-33-22281034
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 8:00 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Carol singing follows the service.
Kottayam
CSI Holy Trinity Cathedral
The Holy Trinity Church is not only one of the most beautiful churches in Kottayam town but also has a soulful choir to boast of. The members (dressed in one colour) walk up to the altar in a procession, take out their hymn books in style and reach even the highest of the notes with such perfection, that even the angels would love to stand and listen to them sing!
Address: Cathedral Church, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Telephone: +91-481-2567251
Mass Timings: Christmas: 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 6:30 PM onwards
Lourdes Forane Church
They say the power of singing is double that of prayer! At Lourde Kottayam, a gorgeous church with beautiful singers, this seems to be working very well. The best part, still, is that amidst this blend of prayer and music, there is a spiritual experience awaiting you there!
Address: Opposite Collectorate, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Telephone: +91-481-2564575
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 12:00 AM
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:00 PM onwards
Good Shepherd Church
One of the most easily accessible and beautiful churches in Kottayam, Good Shepherd has a charm of its own. With an altar so carefully decorated with flowers and candles, it’s a place for a divine rendezvous.
Address: Near Police Parade Ground, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Telephone: +91-481-2564379
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:30 PM
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: Right after service
Delhi
Sacred Heart Cathedral
One of the most popular churches in Delhi, this one is thronged by visitors from across religions on Christmas eve. A central Delhi delight, this magnificent building and its welcoming aura will sweep you away. Enjoy the true spirit of Christmas as you light candles and sing along at the carol service at night.
Address: 1 Ashok Place, Near Gole Dakh Khaana, New Delhi, India
Telephone: +91-11-23363593
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:00 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:30 PM onwards
St. Dominic’s Church
A beautiful building with a beautiful service – step into this Roman Catholic Church this Christmas and rejoice with lively carols and soothing prayers. The entire church comes alive on Christmas with colourful decorations and twinkling lights adding to the sense of celebration.
Address: A-1 Poorvi Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, India
Telephone: +91-11-26146636/26140902
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:30 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:45 PM onwards
St. Thomas’ Church
If you’re in the mood for some awe-inspiring altos and sopranos, head to this church on Christmas eve for their carol singing. Established in 1972, it’s quite a popular church in South Delhi among the Christians and non Christians alike.
Address: Sector II, R.K. Puram, New Delhi, India
Telephone: +91-11-26174604
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:00 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:30 PM onwards
St James’ Church
Experience Delhi’s tryst with the colonial era at this landmark Protestant church. Being the oldest in Delhi, it sees the Christmas festivities (especially on Christmas eve) that add to its beauty and charm.
Address: Church Road, Mori Gate, New Delhi, India
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:00 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:30 PM onwards
Pondicherry
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
With Gothic spires rising towards the sky, and rare stained glass panels that etch the story of Christ and his saints of the Catholic church, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will leave you mesmerized. More so with its striking deep red and white facade lit up hauntingly during Christmas. Built in 1907, this 100-year-old Gothic church has become one of the famous and favourite pilgrimage sites for Christians and is thronged by lakhs of faith followers during Christmas time.
Address: 132, Subbaiah Salai, Sacred Heart Square, Pondicherry, India
Telephone: +91-413-2228916
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:30 PM onwards
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Around 300 years old, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral is not only the mother church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, but also one of the oldest tourist sites of Pondicherry. Also called Samba Kovil, the cathedral’s white facade is a stunning symphony of tranquility, with the Christmas midnight mass giving it a soulful rendition.
Address: Mission Street, Pondicherry, India
Telephone: +91-413-2332857
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 5:30 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:30 PM onwards
Our Lady of Angels
Facing the ocean in the east, the Church of Our Lady of Angels captivates you with its aura of serenity, set off by its pastel peach front and square towers. With Christmas festivities in the air, the church comes alive, resounding with faith and spirit of goodwill.
Address: Notre Dame Des Anges, 3 Rue Surcouf, Pondicherry, India
Telephone: +91-413-2334262
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 5:30 PM onwards
Church Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:00 PM
Mumbai
Mount Mary Church
Perched on a hillock, overlooking the Arabian Sea, is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, a Roman Catholic church located in Bandra. With Christmas, the church comes alive as devotees unite in celebration of this festival of peace and goodwill.
Address: Mount Mary Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Telephone: +91-22-2642-3152
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 12:00 AM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:30 PM onwards
Cathedral of the Holy NameKnown for its frescoes, the spectacular Cathedral of the Holy Name will easily steal your heart away with its soothing beauty. Come Christmas and the church throbs with holy aura and divinity associated with the festival, welcoming you to its celebration.
Address: 19, Nathalal Parikh Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Telephone: +91-22-2202-0121
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 9:30 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:00 PM onwards
St. Thomas Cathedral
The sky-soaring spires and the glass-stained windows of this cathedral will invoke the artistic side in you and make you fall in love with it. The first Anglican Church in Mumbai, St. Thomas Cathedral provides the perfect atmosphere to celebrate Christmas Eve.
Address: Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra- 400001, India
Telephone: +91-22 2202-4482
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:30 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:00 PM onwards
St.Peter’s ChurchA Jesuit Catholic church, St. Peter’s Church, with its breathtaking Romanesque architecture is enough to draw your attention. As you go inside, you will realise what actually touches you is the serenity inside the church that seems to wrap you in a film of spirituality.
Address: Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Telephone: +91-22-2643-1200
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:30 PM onwards
Carol Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:30 PM onwards
Dehradun
St John The Evangelist Church
Established in 1936, this Roman Catholic church is at a distance of just 500 metres from the Clock Tower. This artistically built church becomes even more glorious during Christmas when it is tastefully decorated and people from all over gather here for the prayer.
Address: 6, Court road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Telephone: +91-2657659, +91-93197-03850
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:00 PM onwards, Christmas: 10:00 AM onwards
Carol Singing Timings: Follows the Service
Shillong
All Saints Cathedral
The All Saints Church in Shillong is a serene and quaint place in the pine city, Shillong. The cathedral is built in typical English style that gives the environment a colonial look. During Christmas, the church is beautifully decorated and people from all across the region gather here for the mass.
Address: Shillong IGP point, Kacheri Road, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 9:30 PM onwards
Carol Singing Timings: Follows the Service
Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians is one of the major attractions in Shillong. It is an enormous structure that has been applauded for being one of the largest churches all over the country. It is divided into two sections, one is the main church and the other right below it is carved out of the hill is the Grotto Church.
Address: Laitumkhrah, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Telephone: +91-364-2226542
Mass timings: Christmas Eve: 8:30 PM onwards
Carol Singing Timings: Follows the Service
Goa
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Home to the remains of St. Francis Xavier, an iconic figure in the Roman Catholic world, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is a hot draw for many curious tourists. St. Francis Xavier’s marbled three tiered tomb is the top attraction here. The church’s interiors are startlingly simplistic and create a stark contrast against the sumptuously gilded altars.
Address: Old Goa Road, World Heritage Center, Old Goa, Goa, 403402
Telephone: +91-832-2285790
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 7:30 PM onwards
Carol Singing Timings: Follows the Service
Convent & Church of St Francis of Assisi
The Convent & Church of St. Francis of Assisi is among the most prominent features of old Goa’s skyline. The structure is crammed full of amazing curios that include 16th century family coats of arms, the portrayal of quite a few defining moments from the life of St. Francis through murals, and the elaborately done up screen or reredos. There is a floor here, which has been made from carved gravestones.
Address: North Goa, Goa, India
Telephone: +91-832-2438749
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 10:30 onwards
Carol Singing Timings: Follows the service
Se Cathedral
This largest church in India, dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria, took 57 years to complete and today, is considered to be a magnificent example of the Portuguese Manueline architecture. It was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over a Muslim army, in 1510. This church has 15 small altars dedicated to Our Lady of Hope, Our Lady of Three Needs, and Our Lady of Anguish and the grand altar is dedicated to Catherine with several old paintings on either side. The Corinthian style columns and the Golden Bell, which is considered to be the largest in Goa are the two most attracting features of this church.
Address: Old Goa, Panaji, Goa, India
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 8:30 PM Onwards
Carol Singing Timings: Follows the Service
Cochin
Infant Jesus Church
This Roman Catholic Church was built exclusively for Anglo Indians. Today, both travellers and locals flock the place and it’s a sight to see on Christmas eve.
Address: Cochin, Kerala, India
Telephone: +91-484-2394275
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:45 PM onwards
Carol Singing Timings: From 11:00 PM onwards
Santa Cruz Basilica
This is the oldest church in the whole of India, built by the Portuguese in 1505. It happens to be one of the eight Basilicas in India and is considered to be a heritage site of Kerala. This church apart from being a place of devotion, is truly a work of art.
Address: Fort Kochi, Cochin, Kerala, India
Telephone: +91-484-2215791
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:45 PM onwards
Carol Singing Timings: Follows the Service
Edappally St. George Church
This 300 year old church was built in the name of the Virgin Mary, but in due course, it was renamed as St. George’s church. The statue of Saint George is shown riding a horse and spearing the head of a serpent lying below. It is meant to represent faith and valour in overpowering evil.
Address:Junction of NH 47 and NH 17, Edappally, Cochin, Kerala, India
Telephone: +91-484-2344538
Mass Timings: Christmas Eve: 11:30 onwards
Carol Singing Timings: 6:30 PM on 23rd December
