Bengaluru was alive with the Christmas spirit as residents took to the streets to celebrate. Popular areas like Church Street and Commercial Street were filled with revelers wearing Santa hats and reindeer antlers. Thousands of Christians attended morning mass at churches such as Holy Ghost Church, St. Mary’s Basilica, and Infant Jesus Church to mark the birth of Christ.

In a festive twist, home bakers saw a surge in demand, disrupting traditional bakeries, which reported a modest increase in sales. Prices of artificial trees rose by 10% as the demand spiked. Malls also joined in the holiday cheer by setting up grand decorations and hosting events like Santa meet-and-greets, live music, and performances.

However, the festive excitement led to traffic congestion in the Central Business District, prompting Bengaluru Traffic Police to impose restrictions near malls in East Bengaluru to manage the crowds.

Residents shared their love for the city’s Christmas celebrations. Jency Joseph, a resident of Kerala, expressed her fondness for Bengaluru’s Christmas spirit. “I studied in Bengaluru for two years, and I’m very fond of the Christmas decorations and spirit here,” she said. Rebecca Rassendren, a Bengaluru resident, highlighted the unique charm of spending Christmas with her family in the city, recalling fond memories of shopping on Commercial Street and enjoying the festive lights on Brigade Road.