The streets of Thrissur overflowed with Christmas cheer on Saturday as the city transformed into a dazzling sea of red and white, with more than 15,000 Santa Clauses marching together in the grand Buon Natale Christmas procession. Organised jointly by the Thrissur Archdiocese and the Thrissur Pouravali, the annual event once again reaffirmed the city’s reputation as Kerala’s cultural capital and a symbol of inclusive celebration.
Dressed in classic red suits trimmed with white fur and sporting stocking caps, thousands of participants, young and old, filled the streets, spreading joy, goodwill and festive warmth. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the procession, describing Thrissur as “not just a place, but an idea.”
“Thrissur is an idea where faith does not divide, culture does not isolate, and celebration does not exclude,” the Minister said. He noted that festivals in Thrissur are not mere calendar events, but powerful expressions of shared humanity. Referring to Buon Natale, Mr. Shekhawat said it was conceived not as a simple Christmas carnival, but as a public celebration rooted in social conscience. “Year after year, it has grown not only in scale, but also in purpose,” he said.
