If you were to ask us, where to head for New Year 2018, we will certainly say that you must visit Kerala. Kerala is one of the most happening New Year party destinations not only in India but across the world. Kerala also offers a chance to celebrate New Year and Xmas in the sunny outdoors in beaches or backwaters . Tourists from across the globe can be seen in Kerala if you are here during New Year 2018 Celebrations.
While cruising in houseboat is an appealing way to celebrate new year that is unique to Kerala, you will be in for an awesome treat if you attend cochin carnival or the burning of the gigantic Pappanji or Santa in Fort Kochi beach. When you attend any new year party in Kerala you’ll find everyone in an enthusiastic party mode, locals and tourists alike and the sun doesn’t set on the New Year celebrations in Kerala.
If you are planning for your X’mas and New Year 2018 Celebrations in Kerala, here are some tips from us on how best to make this new year a memorable day.
Varkala, Kovalam or Fort Kochi will be among the best places to spend the New Years Eve 2017 in Kerala. However if you ask us to pick one place we would surely pick Fort Kochi, simply because of the carnival celebrations on the day of new year 2018 which falls on a Sunday, January 1.
In Kochi, burning of Pappanji or a giant statue of Santa that marks the start of a new year.Burning of Pappanji, is a 500 year old tradition to mark the end of Xmas and New Year festivities which was started when Portuguese established its first base in India at Kochi as part of Portuguese New Year celebrations.This is usually celebrated in Fort Kochi beach and nearly a hundred thousand people attend the celebrations in the beach every year.
While cruising in houseboat is an appealing way to celebrate new year that is unique to Kerala, you will be in for an awesome treat if you attend cochin carnival or the burning of the gigantic Pappanji or Santa in Fort Kochi beach. When you attend any new year party in Kerala you’ll find everyone in an enthusiastic party mode, locals and tourists alike and the sun doesn’t set on the New Year celebrations in Kerala.
If you are planning for your X’mas and New Year 2018 Celebrations in Kerala, here are some tips from us on how best to make this new year a memorable day.
Varkala, Kovalam or Fort Kochi will be among the best places to spend the New Years Eve 2017 in Kerala. However if you ask us to pick one place we would surely pick Fort Kochi, simply because of the carnival celebrations on the day of new year 2018 which falls on a Sunday, January 1.
In Kochi, burning of Pappanji or a giant statue of Santa that marks the start of a new year.Burning of Pappanji, is a 500 year old tradition to mark the end of Xmas and New Year festivities which was started when Portuguese established its first base in India at Kochi as part of Portuguese New Year celebrations.This is usually celebrated in Fort Kochi beach and nearly a hundred thousand people attend the celebrations in the beach every year.
Cochin Carnival is hosted every year in the last week of December and it runs with the New year and ends with a massive procession on New Year’s Day through Fort Kochi. The highlight of the carnival is the massive procession on the New Year”s Day. Led by an embellished elephant and accompanied by drums and music, the carnival is a moment to behold and stays with you….well….until the next year! There is also staging of different South and North Indian folk dances during the festivity.
Preparations begin months in advance for hosting the carnival games, fairs and partying. Dressed up in fancy costumes, everyone including the children are seen bursting with enthusiasm and unbridled energy. The available space on the streets host impromptu competitions and multifaceted celebrations. Kalam Vara (floor drawing), tug-of-war, bicycle race, swimming in the sea, beach volleyball are some of the programs that take place during the Carnival.
New Year 2016 in Kochi (last year )was also marked by the Kochi-Muziris Biennale which was also a major factor for attracting domestic and international travelers. Art lovers from around the country and abroad visited Fort Kochi for the first Kochi-Muziris Biennale in 2015 and here are some snapshots from Kochi Muziris Biennale in 2016.
The Vasco Da Gama square and the streets are dotted with makeshift shops selling kerala souvenirs , artificial jewellery and traditional garments in New Year and if you are planning to go for New year Parties in Kochi in 2018, you need to book much in advance.
If you are not in Cochin, don’t worry. Most hotels in Kerala have grand New Year parties with live band and DJs. If you are already booked with a hotel , check the rates to see whether the Grand New Year Ball rates are included with the room rates. It is a compulsory inclusion in most New Year itineraries. However be forewarned that tickets will be expensive to get into any new year ball and stags are not allowed.
The Vasco Da Gama square and the streets are dotted with makeshift shops selling kerala souvenirs , artificial jewellery and traditional garments in New Year and if you are planning to go for New year Parties in Kochi in 2018, you need to book much in advance.
If you are not in Cochin, don’t worry. Most hotels in Kerala have grand New Year parties with live band and DJs. If you are already booked with a hotel , check the rates to see whether the Grand New Year Ball rates are included with the room rates. It is a compulsory inclusion in most New Year itineraries. However be forewarned that tickets will be expensive to get into any new year ball and stags are not allowed.
Kerala may be one of the most ideal destinations to celebrate new year and December – January is cold and comfortable and is ideal for sightseeing in Kerala. There is no snow and it will be comfortably cold. However it is better to book hotels and resorts early for your New Year in Kerala as this is the peak season and the rates of resorts are very high and climate in Kerala is ideal for a holiday. New Year has good climate for houseboat trips in Kerala , bird watching, fishing and canoeing.