Jingle all the way around Mumbai as it transforms into a dazzling spectacle of tinsel and lights
Tilak Nagar, Chembur, has authentic, resident-led Christmas decor. FILE PIC
It’s time to grab your Santa hat and set off to experience the city’s merriest neighbourhoods. From Borivli to Malad, to Carter Road and Girgaon, the Christmas spirit has taken over streets and their corners. We tell you where to go, what to eat, and what to see.
The North Pole of the city
If Christmas had an official suburban headquarters in Mumbai, it would undoubtedly be IC Colony in Borivli. This neighbourhood stages a massive, collective display of festive pride.
The lights shine bright for Christmas in IC Colony, Borivli. File Pic/NIMESH DAVE
Head to: The central lanes are where you’ll be enveloped by an electric, contagious joy. Nearly every home is brightly lit, creating a continuous, dazzling canopy overhead. Beyond the residential light displays, the main streets transform into a Christmas bazaar.
For some Christmas goodies, there are numerous cold storage establishments and bake shops where you can find treats for the season. Head to Hot Buns, Mount View, Chic, or Marvel. They stock the traditional, highly-prized Goan and Mangalorean sweets that define the season. Think: rich, dark plum cake, soft baath (coconut cake), crescent-shaped neurios, braided kulkuls, creamy marzipan, delicate milk cream, and vibrant jujubes.
A community hub of lights
Chembur is a cherished area for locals, known for its vibrant, street-level organisation that brings the festive spirit home. For the lack of a better word, it’s a hidden gem for those looking to see authentic, resident-led Christmas decor.
Head to: The key hotspot is near Sahyadri Ground in Tilak Nagar. This residential area is known for vibrant, locally organised lights, music, and decorations that transform the lanes into a welcoming hub of festive activity. The community’s pride is evident in the scale and quality of the displays.
For a more traditional, spiritual experience, the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (OLPS) Church is the central focus. It offers a beautiful church setting complete with elaborate lights and traditional nativity scenes, serving as a powerful hub for the wider community’s spiritual celebrations.
A colonial Christmas
Stepping into Khotachiwadi in Girgaon is like tumbling back in time. These quaint, historic Portuguese bylanes sneak through the modern city. It is an area defined by old-world charm and community resilience.
Head to: Khotachiwadi is only steps away from Charni Road station. So you are better off leaving your vehicle at home.
The architecture of the homes is so striking, it seems like they are the decoration. Houses with intricate balcãos (balconies) are decked up to the nines.
The walk is sensorial — you can hear the carols and smell the delicious scent of East Indian delicacies wafting through the air from kitchens preparing festive feasts.
Despite a continually dwindling local population, the community ensures that the annual Khotachiwadi Christmas market draws significant footfall. Join in the revelry this year on December 21.
Santa comes to the ‘burbs
Thane represents the large-scale, planned, and commercial embrace of the Christmas season, offering themed experiences perfect for families and shoppers. The celebration here is grand and expansive.
Head to: Hiranandani Estate’s The Walk is famous for its vibrant Christmas atmosphere. This central promenade is lit up with twinkling lights, often accompanied by live music and performers, creating an exciting backdrop for evening strolls.
For family fun, Lake Shore Mall hosts a special Santa Land, a festive zone featuring themed decor, photo opportunities with Santa, an immersive North Pole Express ride, and carnival games, making it a spectacular experience for younger visitors. Keep an eye out for specific community events like the Christmas Carnival Craze that often pop up in the wider Hiranandani Estate area, adding to the sheer abundance of festive activities.
Where every street is lit for St Nick
Bandra remains the undisputed champion of Mumbai’s Christmas light displays, effortlessly merging its historic village charm with modern, spectacular commercial zeal. This is where guaranteed holiday magic happens.
Bandra is the champion of Mumbai’s Christmas light displays. Pic/Getty Images
Head to: Begin your journey with the historic Village Walk. Head into Waroda Road, turn onto Veronica Street, and find yourself in the heart of Ranwar Village. Here, the village square hosts a magnificent annual Christmas tree, often accompanied by local carollers.
Next, follow the lights along Chapel Road, where the glow leads you toward the beautiful St Carmel Church, with intricate cribs and decorated homes lining your path.
The true showstopper, however, is often the unassuming Convent Road (near the famous Pali Hill Candies). This short, small street is transformed as every single house and building is wrapped entirely in lights. On Christmas Eve, the Crescent building often puts up an elaborate show, complete with music and community singalongs that draw the entire street out for a festive celebration.
For a modern spectacle, head to Carter Road. The famous Christmas Wonderland on Carter Road features massive, commercial-grade installations, breathtaking light tunnels, and festive backdrops perfect for capturing the ultimate holiday photo.
The grand facades of Mount Mary, St Peter’s Church, and St Andrew’s Church are also worth checking out as they are dressed in their holiday best.
To grab those Christmas goodies, you can get all you need at American Express Bakery or Venus Bakery. Alternatively, stalls near Balaji Restaurant on Hill Road are reliable spots for quick bakes and goodies, and traditional Mangalorean, Goan, and Malayali sweets.
Carols and community cheer
Malad’s Christmas spirit is deeply rooted in its tight-knit communities, offering an inclusive experience that extends warm hospitality to everyone. The soundscape of a Malad Christmas is defined by carolling. Every evening leading up to Christmas Day, the air is filled with music, often performed by groups travelling in a brightly decked-out truck, with children and a few guitarists strumming along to beloved hymns. This mobile concert spreads cheer across the entire area.
Head to: To truly experience the area, you must walk the lanes in Lourdes Colony, Tank Road, and Sunder Lane.
Orlem in Malad is the host of all things festive. File Pic/NIMESH DAVE
Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church is the central spiritual event. It’s a huge community affair, enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians alike, drawing large crowds that linger after the service to socialise and share the joy.
In a beautiful display of local care, MLA Aslam Shaikh even organises horse-drawn carriages to drop senior citizens safely home after Mass concludes in the early hours of the morning.
For those seeking a different kind of festive energy, local bars embrace the holiday season by hosting lively Christmas Eve parties and jam nights that continue right up to the New Year, welcoming anyone who wants to bring a guitar and sing along.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
