One of the best times to take a small break from your daily routine and plan a trip is during New Year. New Year’s Eve is about spending quality time with family and friends. There are lots of places in India that are perfect for celebrating the New Year. However, Kerala New Year celebrations are all about exotic party places that will make your day more memorable. Moreover, its winter in December in Kerala makes it perfect for exploring Kerala’s rich culture and natural beauty.
Kerala New Year is celebrated with much enthusiasm and zest. Also called the Malayalam New Year, this important event attracts tourists from different parts of the world in large numbers. To ensure that you have the best New Year celebration in Kerala, we have curated a list of places to visit.
4 Best Kerala New Year Events To Attend
Here are some of the most happening parties and gigs you can attend in Kerala this New Year’s Eve. See what all they offer and take your pick!
- Cochin Carnival
- Camp Above The Clouds In Vagamon
- Chorus Reflections 2.0 New Year Party
- New Year At Munroe Island
1. Cochin Carnival – A Fancy Extravaganza
Nothing less than a grand fair, the Cochin Carnival in Kochi personifies the true festive colours of the state. Hosted every year in the last week of December, the Kochi New Year party is celebrated grander. The Kerala New Year party during the Cochin Carnival includes various sports events and competitions. Some exciting events during the carnival include bicycle races, marathons, beach bike races, swimming, boxing, kayaking, wrestling and much more.
Dates: 25 Dec – 1 Jan
Location: Fort Kochi, Kochi
Things to do: Cochin Carnival is a total visual delight. You can participate in the procession, visit the concerts, dance to the tunes of rocking music at the scenic beaches, or enjoy the grand gala dinner most of the hotels offer during the event.
Highlights: The colourful procession, unparalleled splendour of the event, and the burning of the Papaanji, which takes place precisely at midnight, are the significant highlights of Kochi’s New Year’s party.
Nearby attractions: Marine Drive in Kochi, Chinese fishing in the tranquil backwaters of Kochi, boating at Cherai Beach, and visiting Fort Kochi are some of the most popular things to do in Kochi.
How to reach Fort Kochi:
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- By Air: The nearest airport to Fort Kochi is Cochin International Airport at 37 km.
- By Train: Ernakulam Junction is the nearest train station at 12 km.
- By Bus: We recommend you take a bus from Ernakulam Jetty to Fort Kochi for convenient and affordable travelling.
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Also Read: Places To Visit In Kerala
2. Camp Above The Clouds In Vagamon
Get away from the maddening crowds and city chaos this New Year’s Eve. Wandering Ninjas is taking you and your travel buddies on a one-of-its-kind New Year party set high in the hills of Vagamon. It’s time to surrender to the peace and tranquillity of the lush Western Ghats and refreshingly welcome 2025! Ride to Vagamon, party under the stars and over the clouds, and enjoy inclusions like jungle camping, trekking, visiting waterfalls, bonfires, delicious meals, and relaxing in verdant meadows.
Location: Vagamon, Kerala
Dates: 31 Dec
Timings: 12:30 PM (boarding time)
Price: INR 3500 onwards
Highlights: Camping, trekking, bonfire
How to reach Vagamon:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport.
- By Train: The nearest railhead is at Kottayam, where you can get a taxi or bus for Vagamon.
- By Bus: You can get to Erattupetta or Kottayam, the nearest towns, and then a bus or taxi to cover the rest of the 25 km distance to Vagamon.
3. Chorus Reflections 2.0 New Year Party
With all that Chorus Reflections 2.0 promises to offer, it will surely be one of the biggest New Year parties in Kerala this year. Brace yourself for a night of fun and excitement at the famous and ultra-spacious HiLITE Mall in Kozhikode, as they bring you the best ways to end this year. Witness staggering performances like the Gowrey Lekshmi Live, take part in a Fashion Show, dance all night long, hear Bangalore’s top celebrity DJs perform before you, let your children have fun at the Kids Zone, and gorge on delicious food and drinks before the final countdown starts!
Location: HiLITE Mall, T1, G1003, Kozhikode Bypass, Kozhikode, Kerala
Dates: 31 Dec
Timings: 7 PM onwards
Price: INR 300 onwards
Highlights: Fashion Show, celebrity DJs, Kids Zone
How to reach Kozhikode:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport.
- By Train: The nearest railhead is Kozhikode Railway Station, which is connected to all cities in Kerala and all major cities in India.
- By Bus: You will find regular buses from major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, and Bangalore to Kozhikode.
Related Post: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
4. New Year At Munroe Island
Tucked near the calm and quiet village of Varkala, Munroe Island is the perfect destination for a peaceful New Year party under the blanket of stars and amid beautiful views all around. And we’re giving you just that! Here’s your chance to ring in New Year at the secluded yet stunning Munroe Island, where you’ll be able to enjoy everything from camping by the river, watching beautiful sunsets, relaxing on the empty beaches, gorging on fresh seafood from the nearby joints, kayaking through mangrove forests, and much more.
Location: Munroe Island, Varkala, Kerala
Dates: 29 Dec- 1 Jan
Timings: 3:30 PM onwards
Price: INR 6500 onwards
Highlights:
How to reach Varkala:
- By Air: The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram.
- By Train: get on a train connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam and get down at Varkala.
- By Bus: Many KSRTC buses from Thiruvananthapuram will get you to Varkala.
- Varkala to Munroe: Once you’re at Varkala, you can take a ferry to Munroe Island at a nominal cost.
7 Best Places To Visit For Kerala New Year Celebration
Blessed with scenic beauty, heritage sites, mouth-watering cuisines, mesmerizing beaches, shimmering backwaters, and rich flora and fauna, Kerala is God’s Own Country. During the New Year party in Kerala, every nook and corner of the city is decorated with lights, and you can witness several grand events and exciting parties. Here’s a list of the eight best places to pamper yourself and give your family the joy of celebrating New Year in Kerala in an exciting way.
- Thekkady: Witness The Unspoiled Serenity
- Munnar: A Lush Green Hill Station Flanked By Splendid Beauty
- Kumarakom: A Haven Replete With Luxurious Greenery
- Ponmudi: Replenish Your Spirits With Hiking And Trekking
- Wayanad: For Absolute Peace
- Thiruvananthapuram: Idyllic Holiday Destination
- Kannur: Best Beach Holiday Destination
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1. Thekkady: Witness The Unspoiled Serenity
What is the best way to enjoy a New Year celebration in Kerala than an exuberant boat ride along the Thekkady Lake, cocooned in the lap of Mother Nature? Blessed with glorious views of the mountains and a pleasant climate, Thekkady is undeniably the best place to celebrate New Year in Kerala. Thekkady offers many opportunities for tourists to experience a thrilling holiday with their loved ones. Thekkady is also one of the most romantic places in Kerala and a sought-after honeymoon destination. If you have been recently married, this is the perfect place to enjoy your honeymoon this New Year with your beloved better half.
Highlights: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Mangla Devi Temple, and avenue plantations around Murukkady, Odamade, and Vellaramkunnu are some of the major highlights you cannot afford to miss while celebrating the New Year in Kerala.
Things to do: You can either go on a jungle safari or enjoy a romantic walk along the plantations of coffee, pepper, and cardamom.
Nearby attractions: A boat ride along Thekkady Lake is popular here.
How to reach:
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- By Air: Madurai airport is the closest domestic airport, at 136 km. The best way to reach Thekkady is to hire a cab from the airport.
- By Train: Kottayam railway station is the nearest, located 114 km away. You can either hire a cab from here or board a state-run bus.
- By Bus: One of the cheapest ways to reach Thekkady from Cochin, Trivandrum, and Kottayam is through state-run buses.
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Related Post: 4 Days In Kerala
2. Munnar: A Lush Green Hill Station Flanked By Splendid Beauty
Embraced by green meadows, tropical flora and fauna, mist-covered hills, and breathtaking mountain ranges, Munnar is a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts and the desired place to celebrate Kerala New Year. While you are in Munnar for a holiday, do visit the Munnar Tea Museum to enrich your senses with the rich aroma of flavoured tea leaves. You can carry home different kinds of tea leaves, like cardamom and elaichi.
Highlights: Munnar is known for its unspoiled natural beauty characterized by a cool climate.
Things to do: Couples can enjoy a romantic walk alongside the tea plantations, Adventure lovers can visit the wildlife parks, whereas foodies can savour traditional Kerala dishes like Kairali thali, fish in Kerala curry, spicy chicken fry, appam, idli, and dosas.
Nearby attractions: Munnar Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Peak, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Mattupetty Dam are the top attractions.
How to reach:
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- By Air: From Cochin International Airport, you can hire a cab to Munnar.
- By Train: Ernakulam is the nearest railway station to reach Munnar.
- By Bus: Plenty of state-run buses from Kerala and Tamil Nadu can reach Munnar.
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3. Kumarakom: A Haven Replete With Luxurious Greenery
If you want to celebrate Kerala New Year at a fantastic location, head to the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom. Delight yourself here in the mystical beauty of nature. Ideal for all travellers, this heavenly paradise is famous for soul-soothing activities like boating, angling, strolling, and trekking.
Highlights: Different types of houseboats equipped with lavish amenities are a must-visit in Kumarakom.
Things to do: Bird watching, fishing, snake-boat racing, canoeing and cruising through the enchanting backwaters.
Nearby attractions: Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumaran’s Akam Temple and Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall are a few nearby attractions.
How to reach:
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- By Air: The Nearest airport is Kochi Airport; from there, you can hire a taxi or cab.
- By Train: You can board a train from Kottayam railway station.
- By Bus: Plenty of buses from all parts of Kerala can reach Kumarakom.
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4. Ponmudi: Replenish Your Spirits With Hiking And Trekking
Perched at 100 meters above sea level, Ponmudi is a perfect hill station for the New Year celebration in Kerala. Exploring this beautiful hill station with your loved ones is undoubtedly the best things to do this New Year. Ponmudi is one of the safest places for trekking and long leisurely walks. The entire hill station is flanked by colourful cottages, long, wide roads lined with trees, green hills, and spice plantations.
Highlights: Calm and peaceful hill station blessed with picturesque views.
Things to do: Ponmudi is famous for Trekking and Hiking.
Nearby attractions: Agasthyarkoodam, Golden Valley, Meenmutty Waterfall, and Varkala are nearby attractions.
How to reach:
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- By Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, located at 67 km, is the closest airport.
- By Train: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is 61 km away from Ponmudi.
- By Bus: Buses can be found from various parts of the city to reach Ponmudi.
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5. Wayanad: For Absolute Peace
If you want to experience the best of New Year parties in India, head to Wayanad. Wayanad is an exquisite place for adventure lovers, home to Asiatic elephants, tigers, egrets, and leopards. Surrounded by the Western Ghats, this hill station experiences cold weather in December, making it a perfect retreat for a New Year party in Kerala.
Highlights: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the most visited place in Wayanad.
Things to do: Strolling in spice plantations, wildlife safari, and boat riding on bamboo boats.
Nearby attractions: Some of the nearby attractions include Ekkadal Caves, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary, Pookot Lake, Lakkidi View Point, and Banasura Sagar Dam,
How to reach:
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- By Air: Calicut Airport is the nearest, located 65 kms away from Wayanad.
- By Train: It takes only 2 hours from Kozhikode railway station to reach Wayanad.
- By Bus: Plenty of buses are available from cities like Mangalore, Kochi, and Trivandrum to reach this exquisite place.
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Related Post: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Thiruvananthapuram: Idyllic Holiday Destination
For best experience of Kerala New Year, head to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. It is one of the famous tourist destinations among travellers across the world. No vacation is complete without shopping and Thiruvananthapuram offers plenty of options to fill your bags with interesting stuff. Apart from jewellery and pure handmade cotton cloths, you can also buy spices, tea & coffee, handicrafts, and aroma oils at budget-friendly prices.
Highlights: Thiruvananthapuram is known for hosting the best New Year party in Kerala every year
Things to do: Shopping at Chalai Market, rejuvenate at Samudra Beach and sky diving at AMAS
Nearby attractions: Kanakakunnu Palace, Vizhinjam Lighthouse, Margi Theatre, Meenmutty WaterFalls, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Indian Coffee House and Neyyar Dam
How to reach:
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- By Air: Thiruvananthapuram has its own International Airport
- By Train: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is close by
- By Bus: There are regular bus services from Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Cochin, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Chennai
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7. Kannur: Best Beach Holiday Destination
Kannur is a must-visit place for Kerala New Year celebration, bordered by the mighty Eastern Ghats and a mighty sea. The serene ambience and the verdant palm plantations of this place make Kannur a top-notch holiday destination. Kannur is also appreciated for its surreal beaches and beautiful ancient temples.
Highlights: Kannur is home to some of the finest resorts and beaches, making it perfect for a relaxing vacation.
Things to do: Banana Boat Ride, Trekking at Paithalmala, Bike Trip, Wave Runner, and Boating
Nearby attractions: Payyambalam Beach, Thottada Beach, Arakkal Museum, Airoli Vadeswaram Maha Shiva Temple, Holy Trinity Cathedral
How to reach:
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- By Air: The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport.
- By Train: Kannur is well-connected through many railway stations.
- By Bus: Regular buses are available from different parts of the city.
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Related Post: Temples In Kannur
5 Best Places To Stay For Kerala New Year Celebration
The scenic backwaters of Kerala can be the first and most enticing choice, but the state has much more to offer. From luxury stays in the metropolis to Airbnb in quaint suburban regions, there are many amazing places that can make your New Year celebration a special retreat.
1. Emarald Resort
Nestled on the banks of the Kunthi River, this mesmerizing resort is also a perfect New Year’s escape. It is located 15 kilometres from the city, surrounded by nature and a view from the room that is picture-perfect to wake up to.
Location: Resort Road, Pulamanthole, Perintalmanna, Kerala 679323•097452 11211
2. The Garuda- Hotels And Resorts
The Garuda Hotel is popularly known in Kerala for its business-class luxury service, but it is a little-known fact that they can help you plan a perfect New Year weekend stay at their designed establishment. From comfortable rooms to an on-site multi-cuisine restaurant and pristine blue swimming pools to unwind after the celebrations, this is the place to be for your special weekend.
Location: Kuruppam Rd, Kuruppam, Thekkinkadu Maidan, Thrissur, Kerala 680001
Related Post: Villas In Wayanad
3. Eco Garden Resort
From a seasonal outdoor pool to a fitness centre, this retreat is nestled in a green corner of Kerala, where most travellers enjoy the serenity and peace for cultural and spiritual well-being. This is a popular activity during the New Year week, when people worldwide come here to reflect and participate in self-development routines after indulging in the festivities.
Location: IV/290, Painkulam, Cheruthuruthi, Kerala 679531
4. Tulsi Village Retreat
Located at the Kallarukutty village of Idukki, this place is more than a comfortable place to rest at night, it is a retreat designed to provide travelers with the perfect New Year experience in Kerala. The retreat is located in the central region, from where you can easily commute to resorts and pubs that boast some of the best parties in the state and return to the blissful surroundings that this stay provides.
Location: Naikunnu (p.o, Kallarukutty, Adimali, Kerala 685561
Related Post: Resorts In Alappuzha Beach
5. Sterling Guruvayur
Located 5 km from Chavakkad Beach, Sterling Guruvayur is the place to be if you are looking for a stay that will cater to all your New Year wish lists. From flawless service to rooms with a beautiful view, Sterling Guruvayur is also popular for its special filter coffee, which shouldn’t be missed, especially the morning after the grand celebrations.
Location: Mammiyur Junction Puthanpally PO, Guruvayur, Kerala 680103
You May Also Like To Read: Churches In Kerala
For some people, the turn of the New Year calls for a celebration of adventure and exploration. There’s nothing more exotic than travelling through the mesmerizing landscapes of Kerala and enjoying a staycation just before the big festivities, where they reflect and aspire for the opportunities that a new year brings. So, plan a trip to Kerala while you begin your countdown to bid farewell!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kerala New Year
Which are the best places to celebrate the New Year in Kerala?
Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Cochin are the top three places to visit this December and celebrate New Year with your family and friends.
Is Kerala good to visit in December?
The weather is warm and cosy in December in Kerala, making it perfect for planning your holiday. The temperature ranges between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.
What is the famous food in Kerala?
Kerala cuisine involves lots of coconuts, rice, and tapioca. The mouth-watering dishes include spices like black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. Seafoods like prawns, lobsters, fish, and crabs are the best in the country. Appam is the favourite Kerala food among the locals as well as tourists.
What is famous in Kerala for shopping?
You can buy a wide variety of items in Kerala ranging from spices, tea & coffee, aroma oils, coir handicrafts, Cashews, and handloom saris. Kasavu Mundu is Kerala’s traditional attire with a golden zari.
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Being an army kid, Yashasvi has had a fair share of traveling around the country and collecting erratic experiences in her little adventure jar. Choosing to follow her heart and combining her passion into a full-time job, she has been writing blogs about travel, lifestyle, and food for 2 years.
