Goa, having a large influence of Christian culture bought over the Portuguese, celebrates various Christian festivals with pomp. Of them, Christmas and St. Xavier's feast are the most famous. Read about these and other festivals.

Christmas & New Year

Christmas is celebrated vigorously in the old Portuguese colony of Goa. The many grand churches and cathedrals that cover the region can barely contain festivities that spill onto the streets as people exchange gifts, decorate buildings and bake delicious cakes and puddings.

Read more about Christmas in Goa

St. Xavier's Feast

St. Francis Xavier was considered to be a great catholic missionary and was famous for bringing Christianity to Asia. He was born in Spain on 7th of April 1506. He came with the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa in 1543, and right away commenced on the task of preaching the teachings of Jesus Christ. To honor his death, ceremonies are performed on 3rd December every year, as this is the day he was put to rest.

Read more about St Xaviers Feast

Good Friday & Easter Sunday

The Goan Catholics observe the occasion of Good Friday in genuine veneration. It is an important occasion for the Christians and is marked with extensive celebrations all over Goa. The mood of Good Friday usually extend till Easter Sunday.

However, the most impressive celebration takes place in the city of Panaji. The most popular church of Panaji, the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, is beautifully decorated and thousands of people gather there to pay tributes and take part in the festivities.

Procession of All Saints

Celebrated annually in March in Old Goa. The Procession of All Saints starts at the Church of St Andrew in Old Goa and is the only such procession outside of Rome.

31 life-size statues of saints are borne on the shoulders of local devotees and taken in a solemn procession around the whole village. In the evening there is a family party atmosphere as the main road comes to life and is lined with stalls selling sweets, snacks and toys

Feast of the Three Kings

Each year, scores of devotees and followers gather together at the Chapel of Nosa Senhora dos Reis to pray to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception- a support of trust and courage to its people.

The Feast of the  Three Kings begin with elaborate mass and prayers and is followed by rejoicing  and grand feasting. It is a tribute to the three kings who came with gifts to see the Lord just after His birth.

Bonderam

The festival of Bonderam, which is essentially a grand feasting event, is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of August every year at Divar Island, which is located 12 kilometers from Panaji.

The natives celebrate this festival to mark the anti-Portuguese protest in Goa. In recent times, this festival usually takes the form a carnival of sorts and is enjoyed by one and all.

Margao Feast

Margao is the commercial hub of Goa and is a developed city. However, people here still retain their traditions and are proudly celebrate them.

The Margao Feast is celebrated in the end of May and is famous throughout Goa. People come from far away to attend this festival and indulge in feasting and celebration.

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