Table Of Contents
- Intro
- Enjoy Your Long Christmas Weekend with Some Exciting Getaways Near Bangalore
- Coorg
- Chikmagalur
- Sakleshpur
- Ooty
- Wayanad
- Ramnagara
- Pondicherry
- Things to Do In Christmas At Home
- Enjoy a movie marathon
- Do some catching up
- Go creative
- Try something new
- Play some games
- Things to Do on Christmas in Bangalore
- Visit a Church
- Enjoy Mall hopping
- Visit street Markets
- Savour the goodies
- Plan a get-together with friends
- A fun day with children
Celebrate, Enjoy, Relax!
Weekends are always much anticipated, but Christmas 2023 brings triple the joy for working adults! Yes, the festival falls on Monday, which means an extended weekend for almost everyone. So, have you made your plans already? If not, we have got a bunch of exciting things to do in Christmas.
Whether you are planning to ring in Christmas with a quick getaway from Bangalore or want to explore celebrations in the city, we have brought you some excellent options. And, for those wanting to stay indoors, well, that can be made fun too! Read on, get inspired and make maximum merry this Christmas (weekend)!
1. Enjoy Your Long Christmas Weekend with Some Exciting Getaways Near Bangalore
- Coorg
Located 242 km from Bangalore, this beautiful hill station takes less than 6 hours to reach. Known for its rushing streams, rolling hills, and endless stretches of spices and coffee plantations, Coorg also has a vibrant indigenous culture that attracts many visitors. Many resorts here host grand Christmas celebrations; check into one of them and ring in the festival with your loved ones. - Chikmagalur
This is yet another excellent weekend getaway from Bangalore. At around 241 km from the city, you can reach this mesmerising hill station in less than four-and-a-half hours by road. Chikmagalur is known for its natural splendour – lush green hills and vast plantations. It is also the land of many waterfalls like Hebbe Falls, Kalhatti Falls, and Jhari Falls. Christmas is celebrated with full fervour in Chikmagalur, which is home to more than three dozen churches. You, too, can join in. - Sakleshpur
A stunning hill station in the Western Ghats with lush green coffee, tea, and spice plantations, Sakleshpur is home to the famous star-shaped Manjarabad Fort, which offers panoramic views of the ghats. It is also known for the Bisle Reserve Forest and Manjehalli Falls. Many Christmas events are hosted here, which attracts hordes of visitors. Located 220 km from Bangalore, it takes less than four hours to reach here by road. - Ooty
One of the most famous hill stations in South India, Ooty in Tamil Nadu, is a five-and-a-half-hour journey from Bangalore by road. Located 271 from Garden City, it is known for its serene lakes, thick forests, beautiful gardens, and meadows. Christmas in Ooty is an unforgettable experience, with the entire town decked up in twinkling lights and cheerful music adding to the fervour. You can celebrate the true spirit of Christmas in this ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. - Wayanad
This hilly district in North Kerala is known for its lush forests, lakes, rivers, and splendid coffee plantations. At a distance of 277 km, you can drive down to Wayanad from Bangalore in less than five-and-a-half hours. Christmas is one of the main festivals here, celebrated with a lot of pomp and splendour. You can check into one of the numerous resorts or homestays here, attend the midnight mass at the local church and ring in Christmas with peace and joy. - Ramnagara
This is one of the nearest getaways from Bangalore, less than 50 km away. You can reach here by road in a little more than an hour. Known as the Silk City, it is known for its silk cocoon markets. SRS Hills in Ramanagara is a favourite destination for rock climbers. The town also has a vulture sanctuary, which is home to nine types of vultures. It is also a popular camping site with many rivers, reservoirs and stunning hills. Christmas is celebrated in style at many resorts and clubs in Ramanagara. Want to experience it? - Pondicherry
Do you want to celebrate Christmas by the beach instead of the hills? Head to Pondicherry, which is around six hours away from Bangalore by road. Located 313 km from the city, this erstwhile French colony in Tamil Nadu will win you over with its seaside promenades and colonial architecture. The Sacred Heart Basilica in this Union Territory is also thronged by devotees. Pondicherry comes alive with Christmas markets around this time of the year. Yummy Christmas food is served in eateries, and streets are decked up. It’s truly an experience of a lifetime.
2. Things to Do In Christmas At Home
- Enjoy a movie marathon
Now that you are getting a three-day holiday, binge-watch all the movies on your list. You can also check out the latest release on your favourite OTT platform. - Do some catching up
An extended weekend is the best time to catch up with friends and family. You can invite them over and host a barbecue/karaoke night. A Christmas-themed dinner party will also be a good idea. If you don’t plan to call anyone over, catch up on all that lost sleep or curl up in the bed with a nice book. - Go creative
There’s nothing more refreshing and rejuvenating than doing something creative. This upcoming long weekend, why not decorate your Christmas tree and give it your unique touch? You can also use the time to revamp your home a little or indulge in gardening, origami, knitting or pottery. - Try something new
Have you been wanting to try your hand at baking but not found enough time for it? Well, this Christmas weekend, go for it. With hundreds of videos online, you can learn anything from cooking to candlemaking. - Play some games
You can stay cooped up indoors and yet have a gala time. Use this extended weekend to bond with your loved ones by organising fun quizzes, solving puzzles and enjoying board games. Try to choose activities that the entire family can participate in.
3. Things to Do on Christmas in Bangalore
- Visit a Church
Bangalore has many famous churches, and you can enjoy the celebrations here. St Mary’s Basilica in Shivaji Nagar, St. Mark’s Cathedral at MG Road, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Church in Cleveland Town, and St. Patrick’s Church at Brigade Road are some places where you can attend the midnight mass. - Enjoy Mall Hopping
Want to enjoy the Christmas spirit to its fullest? Visit some of the best malls in the city, which will be lit up and decorated with giant Christmas trees at this time of the year. You can indulge in mall-hopping with your family and friends. Visit UB City Mall, Phoenix Marketcity, Orion Mall, Mantri Square Mall, and Forum Mall. While there, you can also make the most of Christmas and New Year discounts. - Visit Street Markets
There’s no better time than festivals to indulge in some street shopping. Some of the most popular choices are Commercial Street, Chickpet, Jayanagar Market, and Brigade Road. With the weather pleasant and cool, you will enjoy it. - Savour the goodies
How can Christmas celebrations be complete without treating yourself to some festival goodies? Try the excellent fare at Lamara Patisserie, Glen’s Bakehouse, Excelsior Bakery, Albert Bakery, Lavonne Café, Aubree Cakes, and Amintiri. - Plan a get-together with friends
Enjoy this extended weekend to the fullest by organising a get-together with your friends at some of the best cafes in the city. These include DYU Art Cafe, Third Wave Coffee Roasters, Matteo Coffea, Cafe Noir, Smoke House Deli, Marzipan Cafe & Bakery, and Brik Oven. However, check their opening-closing hours if you plan to visit on Christmas Day. - A Fun Day with Children
With an extended weekend, you have ample time to take your kids on a few mini adventures that can be a good mix of fun and learning. Plan trips to Wonderla, Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Cubbon Park, and Aerospace Museum.
Once again, check their opening-closing hours during festival days.
Celebrate, Enjoy, Relax!
Be it going away from the city, exploring it or staying indoors, the idea of any holiday is to relax and be happy. When it comes to things to do in Christmas, choose what suits you best and here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!
