The Christmas cake mixing barely concluded when the invitations arrived, thick and promising. Tree lighting season had begun, and Bangalore’s finest hotels and malls were determined to outshine one another. Naturally, TheGlitz secured spots at the most coveted celebrations, because, we go where the magic happens.

What followed was a glorious week of hopping from Bangalore to Mysore, witnessing seven spectacular illuminations, each with its own flavour of festive brilliance. The city truly understands spectacle, weaving tradition with treats in ways that leave one quite breathless. And this, dear readers, is merely act two of our Christmas trilogy.

The cake mixing charmed us, the tree lightings dazzled us, and coming soon? The holly jolly feasting season, where we’ll guide you through the most delectable holiday spreads and New Year revelries this city has to offer. Consider TheGlitz your indispensable companion to everything merry, bright, and utterly worth your time. Stay close, won’t you?

Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata 🎄

Manyata’s Hilton got a head start, lighting up on November 29th with Bengaluru’s tallest Christmas tree. Twenty-one feet of pure festive ambition, standing proud at the main porch where nobody could miss it. Cluster General Manager Sujeet Kumar orchestrated the countdown with elegance, and when those lights blazed to life, the collective gasp was genuine. Santa arrived in a white car (naturally), distributing chocolates and posing for endless photographs.

The Stonehill International School children sang carols with such conviction that we found ourselves humming along. Gingerbread house decorating kept the young ones happily occupied while we adults savoured mulled wine and hot chocolate. Those festive pass-arounds disappeared rather quickly. The evening concluded with hampers for the student performers and a specially arranged dinner, proving that true hospitality extends beyond the ceremony itself.

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal 🎄

Hebbal’s Courtyard by Marriott outdid itself on December 9th, and we do mean outdid. That 12-foot Yule Log Cake stopped us mid-stride, an edible masterpiece that belonged in a museum. The gingerbread house towered overhead, the tallest we’ve seen, while the European Christmas market gave the courtyard genuine Alpine charm.

Little Hopes School children sang carols with such sweet earnestness that even the cynics grew misty. Santa’s entrance drew squeals from guests young and old alike. General Manager Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar has clearly mastered the art of hospitality hosting. The tree itself, draped in golden light and classic ornaments, commanded the space beautifully. We lingered over handcrafted beverages, nibbling festive bites, followed by a lavish dinner, utterly content in this winter wonderland.

Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road 🎄

The Tree of Peace at Novotel carried weight beyond mere decoration. General Manager Sandeep Johri had orchestrated something rather profound: guests placing miniature flags with handwritten hopes onto the branches, each note a quiet wish for harmony. France’s Consul General Marc Lamy lent diplomatic grace to the proceedings, fitting for Accor’s French heritage.

Then Anupam Kher and Vinay Pathak arrived, bringing Bollywood warmth to this already glowing evening. We found ourselves moved by the simplicity of it all. The ritual felt genuine, not staged. Seasonal cocktails flowed as conversations deepened around the illuminated tree. The artisanal canapés disappeared quickly. What stayed with us? That collective pause when the tree first lit up, everyone holding their breath together.

Sheraton Grand Bangalore 🎄

Brigade Gateway’s Sheraton Grand knows how to throw a proper do. The tree dominated the space, all shimmer and sparkle, but what caught our attention was the sheer joy radiating from the children when Santa appeared, chocolates in hand. Their squeals of delight were infectious. General Manager Sushma Khichar spoke with genuine warmth about tradition and togetherness, and we believed every word. Handcrafted cocktails kept the grown-ups happy while cameras clicked incessantly.

But the evening’s true triumph? Chef Yildiz Öz Samaha’s Levantine feast at The Persian Terrace. That rooftop Mediterranean setting, those authentic Turkish flavours under the stars. We’re still thinking about those artisanal creations. Some hotels merely celebrate Christmas; Sheraton Grand curated an experience worth remembering.

ibis Styles Mysuru 🎄

Mysuru’s ibis Styles proved that charm needn’t require grandeur. The lobby glowed with understated elegance, but the evening’s soul belonged entirely to the children who lit the tree. Their faces, illuminated by those twinkling lights, held pure wonder. Hotel Manager Ganeshram Iyer understood something essential: let the young ones lead, and magic follows. Santa’s arrival prompted delighted chaos, naturally.

What surprised us most? The festive high tea. Those mulled wines were properly spiced, warming from within, while the artisanal desserts showed real craftsmanship. We found ourselves reaching for seconds of everything. Sometimes the loveliest celebrations are the quietest ones, where community and comfort take precedence over spectacle. Mysuru’s hospitality felt like coming home for Christmas.

DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Whitefield 🎄

Whitefield’s DoubleTree Hilton gave us something unexpected: a tree with a conscience. The lobby glowed beautifully, certainly, but what held our attention were those handcrafted ornaments, each with a story. The Good Doll, fashioned by Nilgiris women from upcycled textiles, hung alongside creations from Divya Downs Development Trust students. Then those Channapatna toys, carrying 300 years of artisan legacy, added vibrant colour and history. We found ourselves pausing at each ornament, learning and appreciating.

This “Tree for a Cause” initiative transformed decoration into meaningful dialogue about craft and community. The festive glow felt earned, not merely arranged. Hilton’s warmth showed through not in grand gestures but in thoughtful curation. Sometimes the most beautiful celebrations are those that give back while bringing joy forward.

The Galleria Mall, Yelahanka 🎄

We arrived at The Galleria on December 9th to find Yelahanka’s smart set gathered in delightful anticipation. The atrium positively shimmered as we counted down to that magical moment: the tree ablaze in all its luminous glory, carols echoing through the space with proper festive spirit.

But the real revelation? The cookie decoration workshop with Vea. Watching grown-ups hunched over icing bags with childlike concentration was utterly charming. Our gingerbread man emerged slightly lopsided but triumphant. High tea by Nasi & Mee sustained us beautifully, and those goodie bags (vouchers included!) ensured we’d return. Later, the intimate gathering at Jollygunj proved the perfect nightcap. A Very London Christmas indeed begins splendidly here.