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Published on: November 30, 2024
Shimla was distinguished as the summer capital of India during the British colonial period. When Delhi is at its hottest, Shimla enjoys comfortable temperatures and refreshing air. When the winter comes along, Shimla is blessed with enough snowfall to facilitate skiing and ice skating. But wrap up warm! While wintry days can be sunny with blue skies, Shimla often drops to below freezing, which is what makes it so special. Visit Shimla during winter or Christmas and you will find yourself in a snow-capped, frosty wonderland.
These are our top things to do in Shimla this winter:
Over the winter months, Shimla opens a natural ice rink made from compacted fallen snow. Located near Lakkar Bazaar bus stand in central Shimla, the ice skating rink and ice skating carnival are thanks to the dedicated efforts of Shimla’s Ice Skating Club, which spends many months preparing for the festival that runs from December to February every year. During this time, the ice rink is open every morning and evening for fun skating, ice hockey, ice dancing competitions, fancy dress ice skating and more. Live music, street food stalls and an electrifying ambience accompany all events.
Skates and safety equipment can be hired at the venue. Lessons are also available for novice skaters. Perfect for all the family, ice skating in Shimla is an unmissable experience.
Located on The Ridge in central Shimla, is a magnificent gothic structure whose architecture is inspired by Christian cathedrals in the UK. Christ Church dates back to 1857 and still hosts well-attended weekly masses, although its grand Christmas Eve midnight mass sees the church filled to its 570 capacity. Throughout December or advent, as this period is known by Christians, Christ Church is decked with hundreds of strings of fairy lights which, as the church stands at 27 metres tall, can be seen for miles around. Perfect for Instagrammable memories. The church bells also ring out around Shimla at Christmas, calling in devotees of all faiths to come together in peace at this time of year.
New year parties in Shimla are a spectacle of fireworks, music and traditional dance performances. Hotels are usually booked months in advance, so if you haven’t yet reserved your accommodation, act fast. Gala dinners, fancy dress balls and late-night shopping in Shimla’s street markets mark the occasion, and should the snow fall, you can raise a toast to 2025 in winter wonderland.
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts welcomes guests for Christmas and New Year in Shimla at Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort and The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla.
