Five experiences during Christmas in Delhi:
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis' the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis' the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
With Christmas almost around the corner, it certainly is the time to be jolly and why wouldn’t you be? Markets and malls are lit up, there’s that delicious waft of rum-soaked Christmas cake in the air and strains of Christmas carols can be heard everywhere you go. If you happen to be in Delhi for Christmas (I know I am), here are the top 5 experiences for you to enjoy this Christmas season.
Attend a Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican Embassy Chapel
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Traditional Christmas mass is celebrated at midnight, since it is believed that Christ wasborn at night. Christian or not, join the celebrations at the beautiful Vatican Embassy chapel. Constructed in traditional Roman style, the chapel has a beautiful nativity scene and a giant Christmas tree. You can even join the carol singers for a song or two! After service, don’t forget to stay back and enjoy the Christmas bonfire, accompanied by fruit cake and piping hot coffee.
Tip: Try and reach the chapel by 8 pm if you want to secure a good place to sit. Also, parking is a challenge so it will be a better idea to take a cab instead of driving.
Where: 50-C Niti Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021| Ph No: 011-4249 2300
When: Christmas carol singing followed by midnight mass begins at 8:30 pm on 24thDecember
Entry: Entry is free.
Spend a day at a Christmas market
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Come December and Christmas markets spring up all around the city. One of the popular Christmas markets in the city is the German Christmas Market where you’ll find German Christmas cakes, German sausages and beer, apart from the usual gift items and Christmas decorations.
Another popular Christmas carnival in Delhi is the Kids Christmas carnival at Select Citywalk mall in Saket. The carnival has India’s largest Christmas tree (70 feet tall) and has several stalls where you can buy gifts, decorative items, winter wear, cakes and candles and sample different kinds of food. There are also workshops, games and performances for the little ones.
Where: German House, 2 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-21 (German Christmas Bazaar)
Select Citywalk Mall, A-3 District Centre, Saket, New Delhi-17 (Select Citywalk Kids Christmas Carnival)
Select Citywalk Mall, A-3 District Centre, Saket, New Delhi-17 (Select Citywalk Kids Christmas Carnival)
When: 5th and 6th December 2015 (Saturday and Sunday) 11 am-7 pm (German Christmas Bazaar)
12th and 13th December (Saturday and Sunday) 12 pm to 8 pm (Select Citywalk Kids Christmas Carnival)
Entry: Rs 350 per person and free for children below 12 years (German Christmas Bazaar)
Entry: Entry is free. But an entry fee may apply if you wish to go for a workshop. (Select Citywalk Kids Christmas Carnival)
Savour some traditional Christmas roast
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Christmas particularly is the time for overindulgence! Visit the Imperial Hotel for their Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Brunch. One of Delhi’s most popular Christmas destinations, the hotel is decked up with reindeers, Christmas trees, fake snow and Santa himself. Savour a delicious spread of roast turkey, grilled salmon, mulled wine and Christmas Pudding—a very merry Christmas indeed!
If you’re looking for something a little more non-traditional, head over to Olive, Mehrauli, where you can bask in the winter sun as you enjoy an unlimited Christmas buffet with live pasta, pizza soup and salad counters.
Where: Janpath Lane, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001| Ph No: 011 4150 1234 (The Imperial)
One Style Mile, Haveli No. 6-8, Kalkadass Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110030 | Ph No: 011 2957 4444 (Olive Bar & Kitchen)
When: 24th and 25th December 2015 (The Imperial)
25th December (Olive Bar & Kitchen)
Price: INR 4000+ taxes for the Christmas eve dinner and INR 3750 + taxes (Adult) and INR 2000+ taxes (Children) for the Christmas Day Brunch. Brunch timings are from 12:30pm to 03:30pm (The Imperial)
INR 2695 + taxes {unlimited alcohol}, per person (Olive Bar & Kitchen)
Indulge in some Christmas shopping
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Christmas is a time for shopping for family and friends (and for yourself, of course!). Some of the best places to go shopping in Delhi during Christmas are Khan Market, Promenade Mall (Vasant Kunj), Select Citywalk (Saket) and South Extension market. You’ll find a nice mix of Christmas decorations—baubles, wreaths and tree ornaments—cakes, confectionary and gift items. And if you’re looking for a gift for friends with a sweet tooth, you can buy delicious Christmas cakes and puddings from Wengers (Connaught Place), Maison Des Deserts (Hauz Khas Village) and the The Oberoi Patisserie and Delicatessen (Zakhir Hussein Marg).
Tip: Try and finish your Christmas shopping in the first two weeks of December, since these markets tend to get very crowded just before Christmas.
Spread some Christmas cheer by volunteering at an animal shelter
Christmas is the time for giving, so how about spreading some festive cheer among your furry friends? Head over to the Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Shelter or Friendicoes and spend time volunteering around the shelter. You can also donate food, medicines and blankets for the animals and maybe even adopt a furry companion for yourself! (Best. Christmas present. Ever.)
Where: Near Shivaji College, Raja Garden, New Delhi, Delhi 110027| Ph No: 011 2544 8062 (Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Shelter)
No 271 & 273, Defence Colony, Flyover Market, Jangpura Side, New Delhi, Delhi 110024| Ph No: 011 2431 4787 (Friendicoes)
Tip: Do give them a call at least a week before if you plan on volunteering or donating on Christmas day.
Excited? I know I am! So go deck up that tree, put on your Santa hat and have a very merry Christmas!
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