Kochi lights up 80-foot-tall real Christmas tree for grand year-end show, watch

This Christmas, Fort Kochi was once again transformed into a festive wonderland with the lighting of the iconic 25-metre natural Christmas tree on December 25, attracting thousands of visitors to Veli Ground. This huge tree, nearly 200 years old, has over the years become one of the most loved symbols of Christmas celebrations in Kerala.

The massive tree, located on a sprawling five-acre property, was officially illuminated on Christmas Eve. It will be illuminated from approximately 18.45 until midnight every day and will welcome visitors until the morning of January 1. The event, popularly known as the Big Tree Festival, is open to everyone and has become a year-end center of attention for both families and tourists.

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The tree has been transformed into a spectacular sight with nearly 1,800 strings of lights, over one lakh bulbs, two giant stars (including a hand-crafted neon star) and around 50 twinkling, dancing orbs of light. Each year, organizers choose a unique color theme that is kept a secret until Christmas Eve, adding an element of surprise to the festivities.

According to Sanoj PS, president of Knights United Sports Club, who spearheaded the decorations, the majority of the crowd is made up of families. “People come not just to see the lights, but for the experience and the sense of togetherness,” Sanoj said.

The true essence of Fort Kochi’s Christmas tree lies in its community spirit. The tradition started about 25 years ago with a small initiative by local cricket-playing youths who decided to decorate the huge tree during Christmas. Over time, members of various local clubs came together and officially established the Knights United Sports Club in 2010 to continue this tradition.

Although it has received sponsorship offers over the years, the club has consistently rejected these offers in order to preserve the local and grassroots nature of the event. All costs of the decorations are covered by the contributions of site residents, club members and philanthropists.

The festivities are not limited to the lighting ceremony. On December 23, the venue hosted a DJ night featuring DJ Savio; On Christmas Day, a meaningful cultural dimension was added to the celebrations by performing a drum performance by disabled children as part of a charity fair. Entry to all events is free.

Faced with crowds of approximately 50,000 people every evening, the police assigned personnel to manage the crowds and ensure security. Amid the twinkling lights in the night sky, Fort Kochi’s magnificent Christmas tree stands once again as a magnificent example of how tradition, community effort and the joy of celebration can come together to create something truly magical.

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