The days are passing, and we are getting closer to the end of 2024. Have you started making your plans for the New Year celebrations? Are you bored of the same partying and louder festivities and want it to be a little bit different from the previous year? Try exploring Kochi this time to have an incredible and adventurous celebration. Formerly known as Cochin, New Year in Kochi is a great time to enjoy street parades, fun fairs, cultural shows, food festivals, bike and bicycle races, and many more interesting activities. Isn't it cool? Join the Cochin Festival at Kochi and make this big day an auspicious one.
Top 6 Locations for an Extraordinary New Year in Kochi
Kochi, a beautiful port city in the Indian state of Kerala, is highly famous for its ancient forts and picturesque beaches, attracting many travelers across the country. You can plan your trip to Kochi anytime, however, the best time is from October to February due to the pleasant weather conditions. Also, celebrating New Year in Kochi gives you a variety of things to do, including watching Kathakali dance performances, tasting Kerala's rich cuisine, and exploring water sports activities, quite different from other places in the country. Why don't you try visiting Kochi this time to experience the major festivities on your own? Here, we have shortlisted the 6 top places you can explore in Kochi for a grand new year celebration. Read ahead, then!
- Fort Kochi
- Cherai Beach
- Vypin Island
- Kerala Kathakali Centre
- Wonderla Amusement Park
- Marine Drive Kochi
1. Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is one of the astonishing places that host a glorious New Year celebration in Kochi. Here, you can attend the Cochin Carnival, a vibrant and traditional festival in Kerala that lasts for almost ten days and culminates on New Year's Eve. You can enjoy numerous sports events and competitions, including cycle and bike races, marathons, beach bike races, swimming, and many more beyond your imagination. Also, it's a great place to enjoy traditional food with local dances from Kerala, making it one of the splendid places to visit in Kochi on New Year's Eve. Wow, what a great way to kick-start the next year. Try to join the Cochin Carnival this year.
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Nearby Hotels:
- Napier Heritage Fort Kochi
- Rossitta Wood Castle
- No. 18 Hotel
- Hotel Bright Heritage- Fort Kochi
- Roses Inn
Nearby Restaurants:
- Rasoi Fort Kochi
- Canvas Restaurant & Pizzeria
- Fusion Bay
- Warehouse Cafe Fortkochi
- Jetty Restaurant
Nearby Attractions:
- St. Francis CSI Church
- Mattancherry Palace
- Bolgatty Palace and Island Resort
- Vasco da Gama Square
- Indo-Portuguese Museum
2. Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach is a picturesque destination in Kochi for New Year celebration amidst palm trees, endless ocean breeze, and the Arabian Sea. Celebrating New Year in Kochi at Cherai Beach gives you a delightful experience to picture yourself near the crystal-clear water with the fairy lights, food stalls, live music, spectacular fireworks display, and full-on entertainment to welcome the New Year. The vibrant atmosphere and the beautiful reflection of lights on the sea waves make Cherai Beach one of the stunning beaches in Kochi to spend the last night of the year, and you should experience it once in a lifetime.
Location: Vypin, Kochi, Kerala
Nearby Hotels:
- Sapphire Club Cherai Beach Villa
- Baywatch Beach Homes
- Cherai Beach Valley Resort
- Melanna Cherai Beach Resorts
- Sea Star Beach Homes
Nearby Restaurants:
- Lilliput Multi Cuisine Restaurant
- Chilli out Cafe
- Sapphire Club Cherai Sea View Restaurant
- Waves Cherai Multi cuisine Restaurant
- Seastar Beach Restaurant
Nearby Attractions:
- Cherai Beach Road View Point
- Ambedkar Beach
- Cherai River View Point
- Kuzhupilly Beach
Suggested Read: Topmost Destinations to Celebrate New Year in India
3. Vypin Island
Vypin Island is a stunning and serene destination in Kochi to enjoy a calm and peaceful New Year's Eve in Kochi. If you are in search of a relaxing New Year celebration against the scenic backdrop of palm trees, exotic beaches, and the gentle rhythm of waves, Vypin Island is an ideal destination for you. During NYE, you can witness bonfires, simple live music, and of course, a great meal to enjoy major celebrations. Also, the traditional ‘Theyyam’ performance, adds the cherry on the top to this festive atmosphere, offering a great way to learn about Kerala's rich cultural tradition. Don't forget to book your flights to Kochi in advance to avoid rush hour glitches.
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Nearby Hotels:
- Le Maritime Kochi
- Henly Homestay
- Sonnetta Homestay Fort Kochi
- Treebo Grand Canyon by D2V
- The Hosteller Fort Kochi
Nearby Restaurants:
- Kashi Art Café
- Eden's Fusion Restaurant
- Qissa Cafe
- Mary's Kitchen
- Vellakkanthaari Restaurant
Nearby Attractions:
- Njarackal Arattuvazhi Beach
- Vypin Beach
- Malippuram Aqua Beach
- Chappa Kadappuram (Malipuram Beach)
- Vypin Lighthouse
Suggested Read: Villas in Kochi That Are Perfect For Your Dream Vacation
4. Kerala Kathakali Centre
If you are in Kochi and have not watched the Kathakali performance, you are surely missing a true gem, my friend. Witnessing Kathakali performances during New Year's Eve is one of the best things to do in Kochi to learn about Kerala's rich cultural heritage. Located at Fort Kochi, Kerala Kathakali Centre hosts major Kathakali classical music and dance shows. Here, you will get to learn about authentic art forms to have an unforgettable experience.
Location: Near Santa Cruz Bazilica, K.B. Jacob Road, Fort Kochi, Kerala 682001
Contact Number: 04842215827
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 10 PM
Nearby Hotels:
- Orion Skywings
- The Waves by the Beach Inn
- Christ Ville
- Fort Abode Apartments Fort Kochi
- Hotel Raintree Lodge
Nearby Restaurants:
- Tibetan Chef's Restaurant
- Francis
- Coriander Veg & Vegan Restaurant
- Kaasa Kitchen
- Kerala Cafe - Fort Kochi
Nearby Attractions:
- Bastion Bungalow
- Chinese Fishing Nets
- Kochi Beach
- Aspinwall House
- Fort Kochi View Point
Suggested Read: Best Hotels in Kochi, India To Feel Like Home Away From Home
5. Wonderla Amusement Park
Wonderla Amusement Park is a popular amusement and water park that hosts one of the best New Year's events in Kochi. If you are a travel enthusiast and love exploring thrilling rides and water sports adventures, Wonderla is your type of place. Also, it's a family-friendly place to enjoy the last day of the year with some thrilling adventure and a top-notch venue for those who are looking for fun-filled outings. Escape the monotony of your life and give yourself a break by visiting this amusement park.
Location: Kumarapuram, P O, Pallikkara, Kerala 683565
Contact Number: 07593853107
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM to 7 PM
Nearby Hotels:
- Hotel Hill Heights
- Kureekkal Lodge
- Prime Casadel Rooms & Apartments
- Lavender Business Hotel
- Shamrock Inn
Nearby Restaurants:
- Wonderla Valley View
- Wonderla Waves Restaurant
- Wonderla Restaurants
- Woods @ Wonderla Resort
- Kochikaran Thattukada
Nearby Attractions:
- Kadambrayar Boating Centre & Eco Village
- Wonderla fishpond
- Wonderla Water Falls
- Wonderla Space Gun
- Kadambrayar River View Point
Suggested Read: Honeymoon Places in Kerala: Romantic Retreats in God’s Own Country
6. Marine Drive Kochi
Marine Drive Kochi, also known as APJ Abdul Kalam Marg, invited locals as well as tourists to admire the Arabian Sea. This is generally not a crowded place, hence perfect for couples who are looking to enjoy the soothing climate and cool breeze by taking a walk. At Marine Drive, there are plenty of things to do on New Year's Eve in Kochi including you can take a boat ride to admire the beautiful lights of the city and watch mesmerizing fireworks above the skyline. Also, you can have a great meal with your loved ones at Marine Drive’s popular cafes. Marine Drive is a picture-perfect location for experiencing the vibrant nightlife in Kochi.
Location: Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala
Nearby Hotels:
- Vivanta Ernakulam, Marine Drive
- Travancore Court
- Grand Hotel
- The Trios Hotel Kochi
- Marine Inn Hotel
Nearby Restaurants:
- Ceylon Bake House - Marine Drive
- Grand Pavilion
- Top Kitchen Kochi
- Upahaara Restaurant
- Hotel Saravana Bhavan (Pure Veg)
Nearby Attractions:
- Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
- Kochi Water Metro
- Rainbow Hanging Bridge
- New Marine Drive
- Subhash Bose Park
Celebrating New Year in Kochi provides you with a mixed feeling of tradition, culture, and modern festivities, making it an excellent choice for an incredible and unforgettable experience. Be it experiencing the Cochin Carnival, New Year's Eve parties, classical dance performances, or dazzling fireworks displays, there are plenty of things you can explore to usher in the New Year. Make your tickets booked with Kochi tour packages to attend a wonderful NYE filled with modern enthusiasm and age-old charm to enjoy a dynamic atmosphere.
New Year in Kochi - FAQs:
Some of the most stunning beaches in Kochi to enjoy New Year celebrations are as follows:
- Fort Kochi Beach
- Cherai Beach
- Marine Drive Beach
- Kuzhupilly Beach
Here, we have enlisted some of the best hotels in Kochi to make your stay comfortable. Some of them are:
- Vivanta Ernakulam, Marine Drive
- Hotel Hill Heights
- Orion Skywings
- Sapphire Club Cherai Beach Villa
The ideal temperature during New Year in Kochi ranges from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for you to explore major festivities.
You can attend Cochin Festival, enjoy massive fireworks shows at midnight, have a great dining with your loved ones at renowned restaurants, and watch Kathakali performances at Kerala Kathakali Centre to make your NYE in Kochi special and memorable.
There are plenty of venues where you can watch Kathakali performances. Some of the most popular ones are as follows:
- Kerala Kathakali Centre
- Cochin Cultural Centre
- Folklore Museum
It’s not true always. Only a few small shops and businesses are closed on 31st of December in Kochi. All big shops, restaurants, and businesses operate till late hours to make your NYE hassle-free.
The Cochin Carnival is an annual festival in Kerala organized in the last two weeks of December to welcome the glorious year. Held at Fort Kochi, the Cochin Carnival consists of splendid and spellbinding events like fairs, cultural shows, food festivals, marathon races, rallies, beach football, arts, and many more.
Many locals and tourists flock to Fort Kochi on New Year's Eve to burn the massive statue of an old man named, Pappanji for a grand welcome of the next year.
Payasam, Parotta, Dosa, and Idiyappam are some of the popular dishes you should try at the NYE party in Kochi.
There are numerous spots to enjoy a great New Year’s Eve in Kochi with family including:
- Fort Kochi
- Cherai Beach
- Mattancherry Palace
- Kathakali Center
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