December is that magical time of the year when one can let go of all their worries and enjoy a long vacation in the party destination of India, Goa. Yes, we are talking about the exciting Christmas celebration and New Year’s Eve in Goa. Many people often wonder which is the best place to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Goa, and a resounding answer will be North Goa. The beaches of north Goa become a perfect playground for bonfires and barbecues, late-night parties, music festivals, and to eat, drink, and be merry. In this guide, we will break down the things to do in Goa for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Christmas Celebrations in Goa
Christmas in Goa is a deeply reverent occasion, but that doesn’t mean that it is divorced from the fun and frolic aspects. The Christmas festivities aren’t just restricted to Christians; you’ll find that people from every community are in the Christmas spirit, from tourists to locals. And not to forget the gregarious New Year’s celebrations coming right after the Christmas festivities:
So if you’re planning to visit Goa in December or want to attend the Christmas and New Year’s parties in Goa, here is a list of what you can do:
- Attend a Midnight Mass:
Midnight Mass, or Missa de Galo, is a Christmas tradition where people gather in church to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you’re staying in North Goa, you can head to St. Michael’s Church or the Chapel of St. Sebastian to attend midnight mass. To be a part of celebrations, you may offer prayers, sing hymns, and sing carols. In most churches, devotees and tourists start to gather for midnight mass around 10 p.m., so make sure to arrive on time and save yourself a seat.
- Watch Fireworks and Lanterns at Calangute and Anjuna Beach.
To celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you’ll find many locals lighting firecrackers and lanterns. And the best place to soak up the festive vibes is on the beaches of north Goa. As the night descends, the dark sky is illuminated with shimmers from fireworks and lanterns. The entire backdrop at Calangute and Anjuna beaches is a sight to behold and makes up for the Instagrammable moments.
- Eat a Scrumptious Christmas Dinner
How can we talk about Christmas celebrations in Goa and not include traditional feasts? The food available in Goa is reflective of the harmonious blend of Portuguese and Indian influences. From a selection of grilled seafood to pork sorpotel and tuna canapés to honey garlic meatballs, there is plenty to delight the taste buds. For vegetarians too, there are a variety of food options available on the menu. Christmas festas are incomplete without desserts, and the most famous ones on any menu to try are bebinca, nevris (a sweet dumpling), and the traditional fruit cake.
- Club Hopping:
As Goa is the premier party destination in India, many tourists and locals flock to popular clubs in North Goa. From Christmas week to New Year’s Eve, you’ll find the best parties in Goa taking place in the clubs. Get ready to dance the night away with your favourite drink in hand and some electrifying music imbued with an inviting setting. Hitting the clubs is surely one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Goa for party enthusiasts. Some of the best clubs in North Goa to party are: SinQ Nightclub and Cohiba in Candolim; Mambos and Tito’s Nightclub in Baga Beach; and UV Bar in Anjuna.
- Attend the Sunburn Festival:
If you have planned to experience Christmas parties in Goa, then missing out on the new year’s celebrations would be criminal. And what better way to celebrate the upcoming new year than to attend Sunburn Goa, the biggest EDM music festival in Asia? This year, the famous Sunburn festival will take place on Vagator Beach from December 28th to December 30th, 2023. This three-night EDM extravaganza is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated new year’s events in Goa.
- Partake in the Burning of the Old Man Ritual:
To have a more immersive experience of the New Year celebration in Goa, you can participate in the Burning the Old Man Ritual. In this ritual, people burn an effigy of an old man stuffed with tattered clothing and hay. This age-old practice before Christmas and New Year’s Day becomes symbolic of burning away our old belief systems, worries, and anxieties from previous years and entering the new year with a new and pristine state of mind.
- New Year’s Beach Parties in Goa
There are several beaches in Goa that become hotspots for exhilarating New Year’s Eve parties as the year bids us goodbye. The top beaches to party hard and let loose in Goa are Baga, Calnagute, Candolim, and Anjuna. Along the sandy shorelines of Goan beaches, you will witness people engaging in dancing, drinking, and frolicing to make every moment of theirs memorable. The whole vibe of these beaches has become eclectic and full of zest, where everyone is living the moment.
- Bonfire at the Beach:
If you are someone who likes to steer away from the madding crowd and wants to take pleasure in Christmas and the New Year in Goa with your own tribe, then head to the beaches of Calangute, Anjuna, or Candolim, where you can find a quaint and unspoilt spot to light the bonfire and watch the starry sky. In addition, you can also have your own little barbecue party with your friends and enjoy the smoked chicken or bacon with your favourite drink.
December in Goa is the peak tourist season, so make sure to have advanced bookings at Goa’s best hotels. However, you don’t have to worry about booking a hotel if only you’d have your own place in Goa to stay. Having one’s own apartment or villa in Goa will not only save you from exorbitant rents but also give you the option of a second home that you can use during the festive time of the year. You can explore villas in Goa by Veera Developers Group and let every Christmas in Goa be a memorable celebration.