It’s been chilly this morning, but Delhi has never been about snow or calming silence. It’s about the cosy morning with a heater on, foggy streets with the sweatered hustle, and a Christmas that is more about a festive chaos than quiet calm. Whether you are stepping out on Christmas Eve or easing into Christmas Day, Delhi offers a beautiful blend of quiet tradition, festive celebration, and a wild hurrah.
A Guide To The Best Things To Do On Christmas In Delhi
A Christmas Eve Party
You say Delhi, and we think of a good old party with booze and dancing away the night. This is how Delhi celebrates Christmas, loud, cheerful, and full of soul. With a state-declared holiday the next day, Christmas Eve night is about letting loose while wearing the finest of outfits with the cosiest of fur jackets. There are a number of parties across Delhi NCR, one bigger than the other; it is all on you to choose your vibe. Dance to your fave Bollywood tunes and EDM at Imperfecto or the best of holiday hits by DJ Eric at Hard Rock Cafe. Clubs and pubs across Connaught Place, Aerocity, GK-1, and South Extension are especially buzzing this Christmas Eve. So, pick your poison.
Pro-tip: Call and reserve ahead or check online for booking fees.
A Christmas Candlelight Concert
If you are not a party freak and prefer a calm entry to your Christmas Eve in Delhi, then head to Le Méridien for an extraordinary Candlelight concert. The stage is warmly lit by candlelight all around, and in between stands a glorious Christmas tree. You can spend a remarkable evening listening to iconic Christmas movie soundtracks played live and skillfully by pianist Tavan Shah. Truly an all-sensory journey into a whimsical Christmas.
Get your tickets here.
Attend Midnight Mass in Delhi
Perhaps the most obvious thing to do for Christmas in Delhi is to attend an atmospheric midnight mass or singalong to classic carols. Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gol Dak Khana Roundabout is one of the oldest and most iconic churches in Delhi, where you can attend a midnight mass from 9:30 pm and stay until 12 am when the cake is cut. Or you can head to the Cathedral Church of Redemption on Church Road to attend its midnight mass at 11:30 PM and soak in its candlelit beauty sitting in the pews.
A Soft Start To Christmas With Morning Mass
Christmas Day in Delhi begins gently. Whether you are religious or not, starting your Christmas morning bright and early with a morning mass is an invigorating start to the day. In the misty early hours of dusk, head to St. James’ Church near Kashmere Gate, Delhi’s oldest church, for a special morning mass and experience the solemnity of the occasion. Post that, explore the tranquil surroundings in the wee hours of the morning before the bustle of old streets. Sacred Heart Cathedral also hosts an uplifting morning mass filled with carols, prayers and scented candles to give a blissful start to your day.
Grab Plum Cakes At Iconic Bakeries
Plum cakes are India’s favourite holiday treat, and on the morning of Christmas, they sell out early. Right after the morning mass, head to Wengers in CP for some sugary plum cakes and sip on haughty coffee that feels like a hug in a mug. Or, perhaps head to Paul for some historically decadent hot chocolate, rum balls and cinnamon rolls. What is Christmas in Delhi if not for some good ol’ decadence of desserts?
A Hazy Walk Through Delhi’s Green Pockets
After a saccharine start to the day, it is essential that you give yourself a pause and take in the city’s surroundings. Lodhi Gardens and Sundar Nursery make for perfect morning strolls on Christmas. With joggers thinning out in the festive spirit, walks here are intimate and uninterrupted, giving you space to breathe after the indulgence of sweet treats. Bougainvillaea trails frame your path, water channels glimmer, and benches invite you to have a seat, listening to birds chirp away in the sky.
Head For A Festive Christmas Brunch
Christmas, after all, is about abundance and making merry with your loved ones. Book your seats to live music, larger-than-life festive decor, and curated wholesome menus. This is where the joy of the season truly begins, glasses with warm mulled wine clink, and chatters stretch till evenings. Whether you want to sway in the sparkly elegance of Shangri-La‘s garden brunch or join in the zesty live brunch at Mi Piachi‘s rooftop in Mehrauli. Check out our dining guide to the best Christmas brunch in Delhi before you make your pick.
A Shopping Fest At Dilli Haat
Delhi’s most loved and signature Dilli Haat brings the best of handmade goods and comes especially alive with its Christmas Bazaar. Whether you actually shop or not, you can wander around diverse pop-ups and stalls selling handmade ornaments, regional crafts, gift items, and the cutest Christmas trinkets. The vibrant lights, lovely conversations, and folk music truly liven up the holiday atmosphere. This is most certainly one of the best things to do in Delhi on Christmas.
Nevertheless, with so many intriguing finds, we’re sure that something will definitely catch your eye enough to spend a few bucks.
Attend A Christmas Carnival
Around Delhi NCR, festivities have begun in the grandest ways, spilling out of churches into malls and winter wonderlands. It almost feels theatrical with immersive light installations, carnival lights, thematic decor, and towering trees setting the mood. Malls like Select Citywalk have transformed into festive town squares with a touch of European finesse, playful pop-ups, live music, and glowing pathways. For you who are craving a storybook escape, Christmas Wonderland by Republic of Zoofari brings that whimsy to life with carnival rides, meet & greet with Santa, holiday food galore, toy factory and absolute childlike wonder. Moreover, for something truly heartwarming, Barket’s pet-friendly Christmas carnival offers a softer and more meaningful layer to celebrations where your furry companions, strangers, and rescued puppies & kittens come together under festive lights. These remind us that Christmas in Delhi is as much about joy as it is about compassion and community.
End The Night With Jazz, Wine And Soft Conversations
As night deepens, Christmas in Delhi is best honoured around a table. Slip into a dimly lit jazz bar or wine lounge where the lights are low and the music is slow. Piano Man Jazz Club in Safdarjung plays live jazz and blues, turning Christmas night into a vintage magic. If wine seems more like your thing, Perch Wine & Coffee Bar or La Cave offers the perfect setting to toast the season.
There is no performance here, no countdown and no rush to finish and upload on Instagram. As you step back into the winter night, Christmas in Delhi lingers not in the lights and carols, but in the feeling of blissful pauses, slowed conversations, and the feeling of being, if only for one night.