December is the month of Christmas festivities and celebrations in India. Here are some of the best places in the country to experience the Yuletide spirit. As soon as the mercury dips, heralding the arrival of December, many
cities of India come alive with the festive spirit of Christmas. A time of wishes, Christmas is celebrated to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Echoing sounds of carol singing, homes decorated with twinkling Christmas lights and decked-up Christmas trees invite people to indulge in festivities on December 25. Within a week, celebrations for welcoming the New Year kick in and parties that see heavy crowds are organised throughout the country. Here are some places where Christmas and New Year celebrations are in full bloom in December.

Kochi, Kerala
It is said, Christianity first came to India in Kerala, when the disciple of Jesus Christ, Apostle Thomas, landed on Malabar coast in AD 52. Today, the state celebrates the festival with great pomp and show. Solemn services take place in churches and people come together to exchange cakes and gifts with each other. Kochi becomes the hub of celebrations for the Cochin Festival held at Fort Kochi. The fort is dressed as a bride on Christmas and the festival is a delightful affair. The burning of Pappanji at the fort, which is a 500-year-old tradition, marks the beginning of the New Year. Churches like Sanat Cruz Basilica, St Francis Church, St George Ferona Church are decked up during Christmas and are a must-visit.

Mangaluru, Telangana
Celebrations in Mangaluru kick off with the preparations of Christmas delicacies at homes, which includes a number of traditional dishes, collectively called kuswar. This spread has sweet treats like macaroons and marzipans; rich plum cake; kidiyo which is made by moulding a batter of flour, butter and coconut milk into curly shapes, deep-frying them and then dousing them in sugar syrup. Another interesting feature of Christmas here is the annual act put together by the charitable foundation White Doves, who perform on a makeshift stage built on two open trailer trucks. A fancy fete and a grand Christmas Ball are also organised.

Mumbai, Maharashtra
Mumbai has a rich colonial past and thus celebrates Christmas with great fervour. Almost all churches in Mumbai hold a midnight mass. Hill Road is decorated with Christmas trees as are localities like Bandra and Church Gate. For New Year celebrations, parties are organised at beaches and clubs. For quieter festivities, one can head to the Marine Drive by the sea and spend New Year's Eve.

Goa
Goa, with a rich Portuguese heritage, is dotted with churches, which are at their glorious best during Christmas. The entire city is decorated with vibrant lights and poinsettia flowers and carols fill the air through the night. During New Year, the coastline of Goa lights up with firecrackers and the  crowd can be seen dancing to the tunes of jazz music. Anjuna Beach and Candolim Beach make for great party hubs.

Shillong, Meghalaya
Shillong holds a grand and authentic celebration during Christmas. From live gigs to carol singing, the music capital of India is abuzz with melodies during this time. An important part of Christmas tradition here involves the locals visiting hospitals, orphanages and jails with food and gifts.

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The snowy settings of Shimla make a perfect backdrop for Christmas celebrations. On Christmas Eve, a mass is held at the holy church on the Ridge. Snowfall adds to the charm of the festivities. On New Year Eve, many dance and music festivals are organised at the Ridge, along with late-night parties that are an ideal way to hail the coming year.