Christmas Party in Rishikesh 2026 at Simply Heaven
A Christmas Eve gala dinner, cake cutting and a riverside bonfire on Thursday 24 December, with AC cottages and room heaters for the Christmas long weekend.
Christmas party in Rishikesh: the short answer
Christmas 2026 is on Friday, 25 December, and Christmas Eve is Thursday, 24 December. The Christmas party in Rishikesh at Simply Heaven is a riverside stay on Neelkanth Temple Road with a Christmas Eve gala dinner, cake cutting, live acoustic music and a bonfire with barbecue snacks. Guests sleep in AC cottages with room heaters. Nights are cold, around 5 to 8 °C. Call or WhatsApp +91 93689 99410 for the Christmas rate.
| Christmas Eve / Day | Thursday 24 December / Friday 25 December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Suggested stay | 24 to 26 December (2 nights), or to Sunday 27 December for the full long weekend |
| Location | Simply Heaven, Neelkanth Temple Road, P.O. Maral, Rishikesh 249304 |
| Stay | AC cottages with room heaters, attached western bathroom, 24/7 hot water |
| Meals | 3 buffet meals a day, evening tea with snacks, Christmas Eve gala dinner |
| Christmas Eve | Cake cutting, live acoustic music, bonfire with barbecue snacks |
| Weather | Sunny, pleasant days; cold nights around 5 to 8 °C |
| Check-in / out | 12:00 PM / 10:00 AM, government photo ID for every guest |
| Booking | Token advance from ₹500 up to 25% of the package; balance at check-in |
How is Christmas celebrated at Simply Heaven?
Christmas at Simply Heaven is a relaxed, family-style celebration: a gala buffet dinner on Christmas Eve, cake cutting, live acoustic music and a bonfire with barbecue snacks on the lawn. It is a quiet riverside evening in the foothills, not a loud club night, so children and elders enjoy it too.
Simply Heaven Rishikesh sits beside River Heul on Neelkanth Temple Road, with the Ganga riverbank about a 500 m walk away. In late December the days are bright and the nights are cold, which is why the evening is built around the fire. After the cake, guests sit with hot drinks by the bonfire and sleep in cottages a few steps away, each with a room heater.
Cake cutting
On Christmas Eve
Acoustic music
Live, by the fire
Bonfire
With barbecue snacks
What does the Christmas package include?
The Christmas package covers your room and its heater, all buffet meals and the Christmas Eve evening, so the only extras are optional adventure activities and travel to Rishikesh.
- AC cottage with a room heater, warm bedding, attached western bathroom and 24/7 hot water
- Three buffet meals a day plus evening tea with snacks
- Christmas Eve gala dinner with festive desserts on 24 December
- Christmas cake cutting and live acoustic music
- Bonfire with barbecue snacks, volleyball, badminton and riverbed walks
- Optional: river rafting in Rishikesh, a 40-minute waterfall trek, cab to the Ganga Aarti
For a larger room with a king-size bed, a flat-screen TV and 24-hour room service, choose one of our glamping cottages.
Who is it for?
- Families: multi-bed and interconnected cottages, mild food for children and a festive dinner with cake cutting. See the family package in Rishikesh.
- Couples: a private cottage with a room heater and a quiet evening by the fire. See the couple package in Rishikesh.
- Friends: bonfire, music and a cold-water rafting morning on Christmas Day.
- Elders: ground-floor cottages, level pathways and a room heater at night.
Suggested Christmas long-weekend plan: 24 to 27 December 2026
Christmas Day falls on a Friday in 2026, so Thursday to Saturday (2 nights) or Thursday to Sunday (3 nights) works well. This is a suggested plan; other dates are available on request. A two-night stay follows the same shape as our 2 nights 3 days camping package.
Thursday 24 Dec: arrive and Christmas Eve
Check in from 12:00 PM and have a hot buffet lunch. Rest, walk to River Heul, or take an optional cab to the evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat (about 13 km). Back at the resort: bonfire with acoustic music and barbecue snacks, cake cutting and the Christmas Eve gala dinner.
Friday 25 Dec: Christmas Day
A slow Christmas breakfast, then an optional rafting trip or a visit to the Bajrang Setu glass bridge and Lakshman Jhula. Lunch at the resort, a sunny afternoon on the lawn, and dinner by the fire.
Saturday 26 Dec: waterfall trek and check-out
An optional morning trek to the waterfall (about 40 minutes), breakfast and check-out at 10:00 AM. Staying a third night? Keep Saturday for volleyball, badminton and a riverbed walk, and leave on Sunday 27 December.
Christmas highlights by the river
Three parts of the weekend most guests plan around.
Christmas Eve gala
Festive buffet, cake cutting and live acoustic music on Thursday 24 December.
Winter bonfire
Barbecue snacks and hot drinks around the fire on cold December nights.
Christmas Day rafting
The 16 km Shivpuri to NIM Beach stretch, booked with licensed operators.
How cold is Rishikesh at Christmas, and what should you pack?
Rishikesh is cold at Christmas after sunset: nights drop to around 5 to 8 °C, while late-December days are usually sunny and pleasant for walks and rafting. Dress in layers and keep a warm jacket handy for the bonfire.
What to pack
- Thermal inners, a sweater and a warm jacket for the evening
- Woollen cap, gloves and thick socks
- Comfortable shoes with grip for the riverbed and trek
- Quick-dry clothes and a full warm change if you plan to raft
- Moisturiser and lip balm for the dry winter air
- Government photo ID for every guest
Is the Christmas party in Rishikesh good for families?
Yes. The Christmas Eve programme is a dinner, cake cutting and acoustic music around a fire, not a loud club night. Families stay in double, triple or quad-sharing AC cottages or interconnected rooms, eat from a buffet with mild options, and have open lawns and kids' games during the day.
- Small children: keep them close to an adult near the bonfire, and bring warm night clothes.
- Teenagers: rafting is usually open from age 14; the gentle 9 km Brahmpuri stretch suits first-timers.
- Grandparents: ground-floor cottages, level paths and a 24/7 front desk.
Directions by road, rail and air are on the contact and booking page. Delhi is about 240 km away, roughly 5 to 6 hours via the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, and Jolly Grant Airport is about 30 to 35 km away.
Christmas, then New Year: planning the winter week
Christmas and New Year are a week apart, and many families come for both. A few things to know before you book:
- New Year's Eve: the New Year party in Rishikesh runs on Thursday 31 December 2026, with check-in from 11:00 AM and check-out on 1 January at 10:00 AM.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: further up the same Neelkanth Temple Road, an easy half-day outing.
- Ganga Aarti: Triveni Ghat is about 13 km and Parmarth Niketan about 15 km away; leave around 4:30 PM in winter.
- Driving: roads into Rishikesh are busy over the Christmas weekend, so leave Delhi early in the morning.
Planning another trip? Our guide to camping in Rishikesh explains every stay type and season.
Book your Christmas 2026 stay by the river
Cottages for 24 to 27 December fill first. Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp and the team will reply with the Christmas rate.
WhatsApp for Christmas bookingChristmas Party: frequently asked questions
When is Christmas in 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 is on Friday, 25 December, and Christmas Eve is Thursday, 24 December. That makes a natural long weekend: most guests check in on Thursday 24 December and check out on Saturday 26 or Sunday 27 December.
Where can I celebrate Christmas in Rishikesh?
Simply Heaven Rishikesh on Neelkanth Temple Road hosts a riverside Christmas stay with a Christmas Eve gala dinner, cake cutting, live acoustic music and a bonfire with barbecue snacks. Guests stay in AC cottages with room heaters, about 13 km from Triveni Ghat.
What is included in the Christmas package at Simply Heaven?
The Christmas stay includes a cottage with an attached bathroom and 24/7 hot water, three buffet meals a day with evening tea and snacks, the Christmas Eve gala dinner, cake cutting, acoustic music and a bonfire with barbecue snacks. River rafting and a waterfall trek can be added.
How much does a Christmas party package in Rishikesh cost?
The price depends on the number of nights, your group size and the festive dates you pick. Christmas week is priced separately from regular weekends. Call or WhatsApp +91 93689 99410 for the current Christmas rate; a token advance confirms the booking.
How cold is Rishikesh at Christmas?
Late December nights in Rishikesh are cold, around 5 to 8 °C, while days are usually sunny and pleasant. Pack thermals, a warm jacket, a cap and socks for the evening bonfire. The cottages have room heaters, warm bedding and hot water around the clock.
Is the Christmas party at Simply Heaven family friendly?
Yes. The Christmas Eve programme is a dinner, cake cutting and acoustic music, not a late-night club party. Families get multi-bed and interconnected AC cottages, mild dishes for children and safe lawns to play on. See the family package in Rishikesh.
Is river rafting open in Rishikesh in December?
Yes. The rafting season runs from about mid-September to the end of June, so December is open. The water is cold, so pick a late-morning slot and carry a warm change of clothes. The 16 km Shivpuri to NIM Beach stretch is the most popular, and the usual minimum age is 14.
Can I stay on for New Year after Christmas?
Yes. Many guests come back for the New Year party in Rishikesh on 31 December 2026, which has a live DJ, midnight fireworks and a gala buffet dinner. Ask the team about both dates in one message.
How far in advance should I book for Christmas?
Book three to four weeks ahead, because Christmas falls on a long weekend in 2026 and the riverside cottages fill first. A token advance from ₹500 up to 25% of the package value holds the room; the balance is paid at check-in by UPI, card or cash.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 12:00 PM and check-out is at 10:00 AM. Early check-in or late check-out is given when rooms are free. Every guest must carry a valid government photo ID.
Need exact dates or rates? Call or WhatsApp +91 93689 99410.
Plan the rest of your Rishikesh trip
- New Year party in Rishikesh 2026-27 →31 December DJ night, fireworks, gala dinner and stay from ₹2,999.
- Family package in Rishikesh →Multi-bed AC cottages, kid-friendly food and gentle activities.
- Luxury camping in Rishikesh →AC cottages with private bathrooms, room heaters in winter and room service.
- 2 nights 3 days Rishikesh camping package →Rafting, hike and two bonfire nights at an easy pace.
- Camping in Rishikesh: complete guide →Stay types, packages, best time, how to reach and booking.
- Couple package in Rishikesh →Private cottage, candlelight dinner and waterfall trek.