As a kid, winter vacations meant going to Christmas carnivals with friends. Even now, I’d pick a carnival over my office’s fake Secret Santa any day.
The best Christmas carnivals in Delhi are Holly Jolly Carnival for supporting a good cause, Christmas Wonderland for a farm experience, 32nd Avenue for workshops, The Sorbet Soirée for fitness events, Kidzilla Fusion for kids’ activities, the Italian Embassy Carnival, and the Claridges Carnival for a luxury experience.
These carnivals go beyond shopping. They give you experiences that feel very close to the New York Christmas vibe.
Christmas Carnivals in Delhi-NCR for Kids and Adults
1. Christmas Wonderland by Republic of Zoofari
Republic of Zoofari is a kids’ activity area that creates different experiences involving animals.
It’s a farm that organises events across the year, especially around festivals like Christmas, when Zoofari hosts carnivals. These carnivals give kids an interactive, luxurious experience.
They include various activities for children like tattoo drawing, music, playing with animals, writing letters to Santa Claus, and balloon twisting.
There are also different sports activities like a trampoline, sandpit, snow slide, and jungle gym. Apart from this, people dress up as mascots to entertain kids, and there are both indoor and outdoor play areas.
You’ll also find pop-ups from different brands, so both adults and kids can shop here.
Popular restaurant chains like Cafe Delhi Heights have set up their stalls here in the past, so you can expect some well-known food options too.
Timings: Usually from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (on weekends closer to Christmas).
Cost: ₹3,000 onwards. Passes for kids and adults need to be purchased separately.
Nearest Metro Station: There is no nearby metro station, as this farm is located on the outskirts of Delhi. You can reach here by getting down at Rapid Metro Station Sector 53-54 and then taking a cab.
2. Events at 32nd Avenue
32nd Avenue is an entertainment hub situated in Gurugram, and every year during Christmas it organises events. These events are meant mostly for adults.
You can find different workshops like painting, fluid art, sweater knitting, wreath making, embroidery, screen printing, and perfume making. There are events for kids as well, such as Jenga.
You can also find live cooking stations, and various brands set up their stalls here. This Christmas event is also great for shopping for jewellery, clothes, home decor, and other items.
Live music performances are held too, so don’t forget to catch them.
Timings: 12:00 PM onwards (usually 2-3 days before Christmas).
Cost: Varies based on the workshop (you can check the fees on the official Instagram page of 32nd Avenue, Gurugram).
Nearest Metro Station: IFFCO Chowk, from where you can take a cab or an auto to the venue.
3. DLF Cyberhub Christmas Market
DLF CyberHub is a popular place in Gurugram that organises different events, markets, and exhibitions every year during Christmas. The whole place looks very beautiful during this time.
You must visit in the evenings, as the sparkling lights, Christmas tree, and lanes decorated in red and green are something you just can’t miss. Brands from all over the country come here to set up their stalls.
You’ll find clothes, accessories, home decor items, gifting sets, snacks, bakery items, and much more. Live music performances also happen in the evenings. However, you won’t really find workshops here.
Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM (during the week leading up to Christmas).
Cost: Free
Nearest Metro Station: Cyber City (Rapid Metro)
4. The Sorbet Soiree Christmas Market
This market is organised every year at Sunder Nursery and is ideal for both kids and adults. For kids, there are different rides, face painting, and fun activities like meeting Santa and art workshops.
You can check out my article on fun activities in Delhi for some more round-the-year ideas.
Adults can enjoy fitness activities, live music, tarot reading, photo booths, and relaxed picnics with their loved ones.
A range of brands showcase their collections of clothes, accessories, gifting sets, and decorative items. There are also food stalls and snacks, so you can try a variety of dishes while you’re there.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (during the weekend before Christmas).
Cost: Free entry
Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium (Violet Line). From the metro station, you can take a rickshaw to reach Sunder Nursery.
5. Kidzilla Fusion Christmas Carnival
Kidzilla Fusion is a gaming arcade located inside R Cube Monad Mall that organises a Christmas carnival for kids every year.
This carnival includes various activities like meeting Santa and writing letters to him, special chocolate fountains, DIY activities like cupcake-making, arcade games and VR games, and different arts and crafts activities.
Food and snacks like fries and pasta are also included, and their cost is covered in the carnival pass. You can even experience artificial snowfall here.
This carnival is excellent for kids and a great source of enjoyment during their holidays. However, it doesn’t have shopping stalls and is only meant for games and activities.
Timings: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (for 4-5 days before Christmas).
Cost: ₹2,500 per person
Nearest Metro Station: Rajouri Garden (Blue/Pink Line). From the metro station, you can walk to R Cube Monad Mall.
6. German Christmas Market
The German Christmas Market is organised by the Embassy of Germany and is ideal for both kids and adults. You’ll find stalls with a variety of clothes, accessories, toys, home decor items, and much more.
There are interesting and unique games that both adults and kids can enjoy. Painting and craft workshops are also held for children.
You can also try Christmas-special snacks and sweets like waffles, pretzels, different types of cheeses, and German dishes such as gluhwein and bratwurst.
Timings: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (during the 4-5 days before Christmas).
Cost: Tickets can be purchased either on the spot or online.
Nearest Metro Station: Sarojini Nagar (Pink Line). From the metro station, you can take an auto or drive to the venue.
7. Christmas Market by the Embassy of Italy
Another embassy in Delhi that organises a Christmas event during this time is the Embassy of Italy. This event is more like a market where you can shop.
Many sustainable and homegrown brands set up their stalls here. You can shop for gifting sets, clothes, accessories, home decor, and other unique art pieces.
There are food stalls as well, mostly featuring gourmet food brands from both India and Italy. There’s also a live bar where you can enjoy your favourite beverages.
For entertainment, you can experience live band performances, gaming and art corners, and a special kids’ zone where your little ones can have fun.
Timings: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (on weekends in December before Christmas; keep an eye on the Embassy of Italy circulars during this period so you don’t miss it).
Cost: ₹200 (tickets have to be purchased online).
Nearest Metro Station: Sarojini Nagar (Pink Line). From the metro station, you can take an auto or drive to the venue.
8. Claridges Christmas Market
The Claridges, Delhi, is a luxurious hotel located on APJ Abdul Kalam Road. This hotel hosts Christmas markets and carnivals every year in partnership with different organisers.
These carnivals are meant for both children and adults. Many kids’ brands set up their stalls here, offering everything related to children from clothes and toys to accessories.
Adults can also shop from a wide variety of items and brands. For kids specifically, there are games and other fun activities.
Winter- and Christmas-specific food and beverages like hot chocolate, cookies, and cupcakes are also available.
Some of the carnivals organised here give you a truly premium experience, with gourmet food brands setting up their stalls.
You’ll need to keep an eye on the hotel’s social media to know more about the organisers and the brands participating each year.
Timings: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (on weekends in December before Christmas; keep an eye on popular apps like District, BookMyShow, etc. so you don’t miss out).
Cost: Varies every year; sometimes organisers keep the entry free for kids (tickets usually have to be purchased online).
Nearest Metro Station: Lok Kalyan Marg (Yellow Line). From the metro station, you can walk to The Claridges hotel.
9. Holly Jolly Carnival
Holly Jolly Carnival is organised by YWCA of India. It has been organising this successfully for a couple of years.
This carnival is special because it encourages women-led brands, small businesses and artists across India to set up their stall here.
All the earnings from this carnival are later donated to children, women and people belonging to marginalized communities. Unique handicrafts from all over India can be found here.
You can shop for a variety of things from here. Sustainable items like toys and gifting sets are also available, so you can buy a few of them for kids, friends and relatives.
Not just shopping, but your dining experience can feel meaningful and guilt-free, as they host a lot of food and beverage brands serving guilt-free items.
You can find homemade and gluten-free cakes and desserts here. Apart from these stalls, live performances and games also happen to keep the guests entertained.
The Ecumenical Choir Fest also happens, and they honour the winners with lucrative prize money.
Timings: 10:30 AM onwards (happens on weekends in December, so keep an eye on the official social media page of YWCA).
Cost: Varies every year
Nearest Metro Station: Patel Chowk (Yellow Line). From the metro station, you can walk to the YWCA of India.