They say you have not seen Christmas in Kerala, if you have not been to the one in Fort Kochi. The streets that lead up to Fort Kochi are decorated with buntings and everything is illuminated — the buildings, the street sides and the ancient trees. For those who do not mind a crowded, touristy feel of Kochi, Christmas is probably the best time to visit.

From food to activities, games and sports, there is something that would entice every new visitor. Here is a quick guide to what you can do in Fort Kochi this Christmas.

Heritage walk by The Kochi Heritage Project | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Walking through heritage 

Go on a curated walk that would give you a sense of Fort Kochi’s social, cultural and culinary heritage. Organised by The Kochi Heritage Project, a heritage storytelling initiative, these walks are not your usual guided tours, but they delve into the multicultural history of Fort Kochi. The walks, on various themes, are on through December. The Cochin Heritage Carnival, that opened on December 14, has over 45 events planned across three venues until December 29. It would also include talks, workshops, events, screenings and exhibitions in addition to the heritage walks.

For tickets and information, visit kochiheritageproject.in.

A painting by Prasanth KP on display at the art exhibition, Coconuts, Canvases and Colonial Hangover at David Hall Art Gallery | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Make an art stop

This show is closely linked to Fort Kochi. Plan At Art showcases artworks made of plastic waste washed ashore at the Fort Kochi beach. Over 30 works including recreations of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, sculptures and baskets made from plastic waste are on show. A joint initiative by Plan@earth, HCL Foundation, the Cochin Heritage Zone Conservation Society and Cochin Carnival, the show hopes to create awareness on the need to limit the use of plastic. Plan@earth collects plastics accumulated in the sea from beaches as part of its Drive to Recover Ocean Plastics (DROP) drive.

On at Jail of Freedom Struggle Building, Fort Kochi, till December 30, 10am to 8pm. Entry is free. 

Coconuts, Canvases and Colonial Hangover, an exhibition of paintings by six artists, is a celebration of the essence of Kerala — its traditions, art and culture, its natural wealth and its people. Prasanth KP, Mayera Suman, Asha Nair, Anupama Rajiv, Aswathy Raveendran and Anupama Ramesh are showcasing their works, which include paintings and installations. 

On from December 22 to 25 at David Hall Art Gallery. Entry is free.

Pappanji’s effigy being burnt to ring in the New Year | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Pappanji on fire

Anybody who has been to Fort Kochi on December 31 would be familiar with this tradition of the Pappanji burning. A giant effigy of an old man (the Pappanji) is set ablaze on December 31 midnight. Believed to be a remnant of a Portuguese tradition of ringing in the New Year, it is still being followed in Fort Kochi and is also one of the largest crowd pullers. For years, the people of the region made Pappanji resembling Santa Claus, it was later modified to look like an old man. (Pappanji in Portuguese means grandfather). Historian, artist and writer Bony Thomas is designing the Pappanji this year. The height of the Pappanji has been shortened to 50 feet for safety reasons. The people of Fort Kochi welcomed 2024 with an 80-foot-tall Pappanji that went up in flames.

December 31, midnight, on Parade Ground.

The Cochin Carnival procession | Photo Credit: H VIBHU

Join the Cochin Carnival  

Celebrations here do not end with the burning of the Pappanji. As the New Year dawns, everyone gets ready for the Cochin Carnival parade, one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. Fort Kochi bursts into a riot of colours with floats and tableaux. Men, women and children dressed elaborately take to the streets for the procession, which also includes folk art performances, Kerala’s traditional percussion ensembles and ritualistic art forms. People from afar visit Fort Kochi just to witness the carnival rally.

This year’s carnival that kicked off on December 11, has about 96 clubs participating. From sporting events to games, music and dance, it has something for everyone. The carnival represents the soul of Kochi — its multicultural identity. “The best thing about the carnival is that it is a participative festival and not just a spectator’s,” says Sohan KJ, heritage enthusiast and former mayor of Fort Kochi.

The carnival procession will be held on January 1 in Fort Kochi.