From charming and snow-capped mountains to sunny beaches, India offers it all. And the food? The same dish takes on a delicious twist in every region. Sounds amazing, right? Let’s dive in and explore them all in this blog!

New Year in India with a cultural touch

The New Year celebrations in India are made colourful with parties, events, fireworks, gatherings, and vacations. India, being a country with vast cultural diversity, accepts and respects all traditions.
Just as celebrating January 1st was popularised by Western countries, India marks several other New Year celebrations across its diverse regions. Examples include Vishu [in Kerala], Ugadi [in Andhra, Telangana, and Karnataka], Tamil New Year, Bohag Bihu [in North Eastern States], Baisakhi [in Punjab], and many more.

Must visit places in 2026

1. Udaipur - Rajasthan

According to a news article by The Economic Times, Udaipur is the only Indian city that featured on Condé Nast Traveller’s List of ‘Best Places to Visit in 2026’.

The ‘City of Lakes’ is renowned for its charming lakes, opulent palaces, and luxury hotels. It is located at the base of the Aravalli Mountain Range.

Surrounded by green hills and away from the Thar Desert, Udaipur naturally has a pleasant climate.

The beautiful lakes and the marvellous monuments make Udaipur an ideal destination for families and couples to spend their vacation. If you’re planning a trip, the winter months are the best time to experience the fine charm of the city.

Book the best hotels in Udaipur for a memorable stay.

2. Agra - Uttar Pradesh

Agra is located on the banks of the River Yamuna. Renowned for its Mughal-era architecture, the city is home to world-famous monuments like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and others.

• Taj Mahal: Often described as the ‘immortal poem in the white marble’, the architectural marvel, built with perfect symmetry, is worth visiting.
  
  Sunset is considered the ideal time to visit this place. It remains closed to the public on Fridays.
   
• Agra Fort: Located near the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort is where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb. The Taj Mahal is visible from here. 
  
  Once served as the capital and residence of the Mughal Emperors, the fort is a walled city with a 70 feet high double-battlemented walls, and a wide moat surrounding it. 
  It is open for visitors from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the last tickets are sold by 5:00 PM. It is recommended to visit during the evening hours.

Book the top hotels in Agra.

3. Dhanaulti - Uttarakhand

Dhanaulti is a less crowded and less explored hill station in the Tehri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand. Located close to Mussorie, Dhanaulti offers stunning views of the Himalayas along with a calm, cool atmosphere. Above all, the place is a paradise for adventure lovers.

Due to its pleasant ambience and smaller crowd, the place is perfect for families and couples. Major attractions here include Surkhanda Devi Temple, Eco Park and the nearby Kempty Falls.

You can explore more about Dhanaulti here.

4. Coorg - Karnataka

Coorg, also known as ‘Kodagu’, is blessed with beautiful scenery of lush green coffee plantations, misty mountains, and mouth-watering Kodagu cuisine. Due to its nice climate, Coorg is fondly referred to as the ‘Scotland of India’.

Recommended reading: You can consider reading the blog ‘Best Places To Visit In Coorg In 2 Days - A Perfect Travel Guide’. This blog provides the sequence of visiting various places in two days, special food to taste, and the best place to stay.

5. Goa

Goa is one of the most renowned beach destinations in India. Beach vibes, joyful nightlife, and a unique shopping experience all make Goa a must-include in the itinerary. Beyond these, the Goan cuisine needs a special mention.

Recommended reading: 'If you could stay 3 more nights in Goa, This Is How You’d Spend Them'. This blog highlights the places to visit in Goa, in 3 days, and the best places to stay. It covers mostly North Goa. You can read this to plan your New Year, Christmas, or any other vacation.

Places to visit in India to enjoy the New Year

• Goa is the most preferred destination to celebrate the New Year. You can enjoy beach parties, live events, colourful fireworks, delicious Goan food, and much more.
   
• Mumbai: The city turns into another vibe with parties, events, cycling tours, and colourful illuminations. Beach gatherings on New Year's Eve are another highlight.
   
• Puducherry: The New Year celebrations in Puducherry are special. Various streets and the beaches are lit with colourful lights. Try not to miss the public celebrations at the Rock Beach.
   
• Kochi: New Year's Eve celebrations in Kochi are very grand. Larger crowds, music events, parties, and food are the main highlights. Places like the Marine Drive and Fort Kochi are adorned with colourful lights and paper decorations.
  
  The ‘Cochin Carnival’, a 10-day festival which starts from Christmas, culminates on New Year’s Eve.

Delicious Indian recipes for New Year celebrations

1. Vegetarian - Main Course

Biriyani: For vegetarians, Veg Biriyani is like a heaven. Biriyani made with ingredients like mushrooms tastes great. If you’re planning to serve vegetarian food, biryani can be one of the top choices.

Roti with curry: It's simple and easy to cook. With its simple procedure and unique spice combinations, the recipe tastes good.

2. Non-Veg - Main Course

Biriyani: Biriyani is heaven for non-vegetarians too! For New Year’s parties, Hyderabadi mutton or chicken biryani, Lucknowi biryani, or Kolkata biryani are great options to serve.

Butter chicken with Roti: This dish is a great combination and a crowd favourite. You can consider including it in your menu.

3. Starters - Veg & Non-Veg

Aloo Tikki: It is crispy, spiced potato fries served along with green chutney and sauce.

Paneer Tikka: It is a grilled version of paneer tikki. This dish is shallow-fried and makes your guests happy with its unique flavour.

Chicken Kebabs: Serving chicken kebabs with mint-corriander chutney and tangy-tamarind chutney, along with a slice of lemon and onions, makes it an awesome starter for non-veg lovers.

New Year gift ideas - something different this time

Usually, people gift cakes, chocolates, calendars, nuts, sweets, and much more as New Year gifts. Undoubtedly, these are still great ideas.

But this time you can try something different to surprise your family, friends, or partner. Have you ever thought about gifting a stay and surprising your loved one?

Sounds interesting, right? You can use the Bag2Bag New Year Gift Cards for this. Bag2Bag gift cards are available from as low as ₹500.

Gifting a stay is something special that stays longer in their memories. Nice chance to strengthen your bonding! Don’t miss the chance to make it extra special!

Conclusion

With beautiful places to visit, delicious food to try, and thoughtful gifts to share, this New Year holds so much to look forward to! Start it with a spark of joy, explore the destinations, taste the recipes, and maybe even surprise your loved ones with a special stay. Wishing you a wonderful and prosperous New Year ahead!