Christmas in Colombo

In December, Colombo lights up for Christmas with giant trees on Galle Face Green, carols, midnight masses at historic churches and Sri Lankan Christmas cake.

Christmas is a public holiday in Sri Lanka, and although Christians are a minority, the whole country joins in. Colombo is the best place to see it, from early December until the New Year.

The main public displays are along Galle Face Green, where a huge illuminated Christmas tree usually goes up with lights, music and stalls. In 2016 the tree built there was 73 metres tall. Hotels, malls such as One Galle Face and the main shopping streets are decorated too, and carol groups go around offices and homes.

On Christmas Eve, the churches fill for midnight mass. St. Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade is the most visited, and draws people of every faith, while the old Dutch Wolvendaal Church and St. Lucia's Cathedral in Kotahena also hold services. Masses are held in Sinhala, Tamil and English, so check the church's times beforehand.

The food is half the fun. Sri Lankan Christmas cake is rich and dark, packed with chopped fruit, cashews, pumpkin and ginger preserve and spices, and it is often made weeks ahead. Look out too for love cake, breudher (a Dutch Burgher yeast bread) and festive dinners at the big hotels.

December is also peak tourist season, so book hotels and restaurants early for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

St. Lucia's Cathedral in Kotahena is worth seeing in its own right. It's the oldest and largest parish cathedral in Sri Lanka, with room for around 6,000 people, built in stages from the 1870s on the site of an 18th century chapel, and its Christmas services are among the grandest in the city.

Outside the churches, the season is relaxed and festive. Many families visit relatives and share Christmas cake on the day, while hotels and restaurants host lunches and dinners. If you're travelling on to the beaches, remember that the south and west coasts are in peak season in late December, so book trains, drivers and rooms well ahead.

At a glance

When: Usually in December
Duration: Decorations through December; main days 24 and 25 December
Venue: Galle Face Green, churches and hotels across Colombo
Organizer: Churches, hotels and city celebrations
Entry: Free