12 Churches For Christmas Eve To Light A Candle & Spread The Joy

Fondly known to the locals as the Afghan Church, this beautiful Colaba Church that was built by the British has a really charming Christmas Eve mass with hundreds of people flocking to it dressed in their best attire. The mass begins at 10.30 pm with a performance by the Wild Voices Choir singing their classic Christmas carols. Get there early to experience the beauty and magic of Christmas, as it's the season to be merry and joyful.

Get There By: 10 pm

Holy Name Cathedral in Colaba is another church to hit up for a Christmas midnight mass. It opened to the public way back in 1905 and has some fantastic and intriguing artwork displayed inside. Be a part of the 3,000-plus crowd that gathers here for the mass, which is also broadcast live. The cathedral choir will begin carol singing at 9.30 pm, and the mass will begin around 10 pm or 10.30 pm.

Get Here By: 9 pm

Though it’s a pretty church with a simple mass, it’s definitely a favourite among the SoBo community during Christmas time. Situated near Horniman Circle and Flora Fountain, this church was the first Anglican church in Mumbai. Carol singing starts around 9.30 pm, which will be followed by mass at 10.30 pm. Wear your finest and ring in Christmas Day at this old, charming British church.

Get There By: 8.45 pm

This beautiful, tall, Gothic-style church was inspired by the Canterbury Cathedral of England. Present at its current location since 1910, Gloria Church is as magical as it gets on Christmas Eve. Its towers are among the tallest in the city, and this church makes for a splendid setting to ring in the Christmas festivities. At least 1,000 people from the area join in for the midnight mass, irrespective of faith.

Get There By: 10 pm

Possibly one of the prettiest and wittiest churches in Mumbai (the board outside puts out some very sassy quotes), this Bandra church is a popular one to hit up during Christmas Eve. Nestled on the outskirts of Chimbai village, this 400-year-old church goes all-out with bright lights and red and white buntings put up nicely around the church and in the grounds. If you can’t make it on Christmas Eve, don’t fret. Head there on Christmas Day, when the masses will be held at 7 am, 8 am and 9.30 am.

Get There By: 9 pm

This iconic Bandra landmark (also known as Mount Mary Church) overlooking the sea from atop a hill is not to be missed this year, or any year. Go here on the eve of Christmas, where the crowd gathers here until late. Wait for the wonderful chiming of the Northern Tower bells and sing along all the classics with your fellow attendees. The service begins at 11 pm, with carol singing beginning immediately. 

Get There By: 10 pm (for the photo op!)

One of the most beautiful churches in the city, this church is possibly the most festive one. With a tall Christmas tree out in the front resplendent with lights, decorations, and more, it’s a sight to behold. Although it isn't as popular as Mount Mary, we think you should head here while you're in Bandra for Christmas Eve!

Get There By: 10 pm

From the nativity play setting to the big Christmas tree and the ever-so-delightful midnight mass on the eve of Christmas, Victoria Church has a history of almost 450 years hidden inside its beautiful interiors. This year, catch the choir of Our Lady of Victoria Church, which will be singing carols at the midnight mass for everyone. This year, expect classics like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and the not-so-popular "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night". The carols will be sung in English and at least one regional language, that is, Konkani, Hindi, or Marathi.

Get There By: 10 pm

St. John the Evangelist in Marol is one of the few simpler churches in Mumbai to have the "Late Baroque"-style altar, with nearly 7,000 parishioners attending every Christmas Eve. Built in the Portuguese style, this church will house a big Christmas tree and organise the midnight mass on Christmas eve. Out in the front stands a four-foot-long statue of Our Lady of Amparo. Before this church came into existence in 1840, another church, the Condita, now a body of ruins, held midnight mass. Midnight mass on the church grounds will begin for you to enjoy Christmas Eve. However, if you’d rather go in for an early mass in the morning on Christmas day, the masses will be held at 7 am, 8 am and 9am.

Get There By: 10 pm

The Holy Trinity Church in Powai is a small and not-so-large church from the outside. Set atop a hillock near the sprawling IIT Mumbai campus, this church obviously has a gorgeous view. It’s a simple affair on Christmas Eve, but magical nonetheless. Head here if you live close by!

Get There By: 10 pm

For the people living in and around Borivali, the IC Church is a popular one to go to for their famous midnight mass every Christmas eve. This church dates back to almost 1547 and adds to this city’s ancient history. This year, the midnight mass will be held on the church grounds to accommodate the large crowd that’ll be pouring in to join in the merriment. The carols are expected to begin at 9.30 am, followed by the mass and the celebrations that run late into the night. For Christmas Day, they have masses in three languages, Marathi mass at 6 am, Konkani mass at 7 am and the English mass that’ll happen at 8 am, 9 am and 11 am in the church.

Get There By: 9 pm

The Orlem community in Malad West is a close-knit community. During Christmas, we are told, they all come together and join in the merriness that Christmas spreads. A regular churchgoer tells us Orlem is one of the most popular churches in and around Malad, with more than 15,000 people turning up for the midnight mass.

Get There By: 10 pm