December in Dehradun is cold in the mornings and sunny by noon, and the roads fill with visitors on their way up to Mussoorie. Christmas here is smaller than in Mussoorie or Landour, but the churches hold midnight mass and the old bakeries do a steady trade in plum cake. This guide covers Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, in town and up the hill.
Christmas in Dehradun
Churches and midnight mass
St. Francis Church and St. John's Church are two of the churches where special masses are held at Christmas, according to past newspaper reports. Midnight mass on 24 December is the main service. Most churches welcome visitors, but go early, sit at the back and keep your phone away during the service.
Mass timings are put up on church notice boards in the week before Christmas. Check those rather than relying on last year's times.
Christmas cake
Dehradun's old bakeries are the reason a lot of people here buy Christmas cake at all. Ellora's Melting Moments on Rajpur Road is the best-known name, and Quality Bakery near the Clock Tower is another old favourite. Order plum cake a few days ahead, because the popular ones sell out close to the 25th. Our bakeries guide has more names.
Cafes for Christmas Day
For a slow Christmas afternoon, Café Marigold on Old Mussoorie Road and Café Razzmatazz near Race Course both have outdoor seating, which is pleasant in the December afternoon sun. Our cafés guide lists more across the city.
Christmas in Mussoorie and Landour
If you want the full Christmas feeling, drive up. Mussoorie is about 32 km from Dehradun, and Landour, above it, has the old churches and the quiet lanes people come for. The road gets heavy traffic in the last week of December, so leave early and come back before dark.
The Winterline Carnival in Mussoorie usually runs from 26 to 30 December. The 2025 edition opened on 24 December and closed on 30 December, with folk performances, street art, food stalls and evening concerts on Mall Road, which is closed to vehicles during the carnival. Check the 2026 dates closer to the time; the schedule is usually announced in mid-December.
The winterline itself is a band of colour along the horizon at sunset, seen from Mussoorie between mid-October and January. Gun Hill, Lal Tibba and Camel's Back Road are the usual places to watch it, around 5:15 to 6 pm.
New Year's Eve in Dehradun
Most New Year's Eve parties in Dehradun are at hotels and clubs. Tickets usually go on sale in December. If you prefer something quieter, book a table at a café or restaurant for an early dinner and be home before the roads fill up.
The Mussoorie road is the busiest it gets all year on 31 December. Police often put traffic restrictions in place on the way up. If you're going to Mussoorie for New Year, book your stay well ahead and check the traffic advisories issued by Dehradun Police before you leave.
Don't drink and drive. Checking is strict on New Year's Eve.
A December day plan
- Morning: plum cake and coffee at a Rajpur Road bakery.
- Afternoon: sit in the sun at a café in Rajpur or Dalanwala, or walk the Tibetan Market near the Parade Ground for winter jackets.
- Evening: midnight mass on Christmas Eve, or drive up to Mussoorie early enough to catch the winterline.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I attend midnight mass in Dehradun?
St. Francis Church and St. John's Church have held special Christmas masses in past years. Check the church notice board for this year's timings.
What are the dates of the Mussoorie Winterline Carnival?
It usually runs from 26 to 30 December. In 2025 it ran from 24 to 30 December. Check the official announcement for 2026.
Where can I buy Christmas cake in Dehradun?
Ellora's Melting Moments on Rajpur Road and Quality Bakery near the Clock Tower are the two best-known names. Order a few days ahead.
Is it a good idea to drive to Mussoorie on New Year's Eve?
Only if you have a booking and leave early. Traffic is heavy and police often restrict vehicles on the way up.
Find more on Doon Dekho
Our bakeries, cafés and markets guides list everything mentioned here with directions. Browse Explore → Food.