Mumbai is preparing for Christmas on December 25 with carol-singing events, Christmas bazaars, socials, and festivals of sacred music.

This is the third week of Advent before Christmas. Advent means arrival or start and is the four-week season of celebrating the arrival of Jesus. The Sundays during the period are marked by candles symbolising hope, love, joy, and peace are lit at churches and homes.

Christmas bazaars are an important feature during the weeks leading to Christmas. The 97-year-old Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana, Santacruz, is having its Christmas bazaar on December 19 and 20. Maurice Caeiro, General Secretary of the gymkhana, said that the tradition started as a help to poorer members. "People would sell their wares. A lot of them are gifted and make stuff at home which they sell at the bazaar. A lot of people buy from them because working people do not have the time to make sweets," said Caeiro.

On the evening of December 22, residents of Bandra will hold a 'Christmas Bazaar' at Church Street behind St. Peter's Church. The event, which will be held after a gap of four years, will feature food, decorations, jewelry, and other items, said Christina Lobo, a Hill Road resident who has been holding sales of donated and pre-owned items to aid relief work for people affected by the ethnic conflict in Manipur and other disasters. 

Political parties are sponsoring cultural events. Shiv Sena (UBT)  will organise a 'Christmas Street Festival' at I C Colony, Borivali, on December 26 and 27. This is the second year of the festival. "People from other religious groups come to see the lighting and enjoy the music and events," said Ashish Fernandes, a resident of I C Colony.

Another feature of the advent weeks are the carol singing and music events. Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana will hold its 'carol nite' on December 21. Holy Name Cathedral, Colaba, will host  ‘Because He Became a Child’, a choral concert of Christmas music by Alfred D’Souza on the evening of December 21.

Young members of St Peter’s Church, Bandra, will organise their annual Christmas programme 'Unwrap' between December 25 and  27. A choral festival 'The Breadth of Hope' was organised by Pueri Cantores India at St Peter's Church on December 15. The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women organised a Christmas party for senior citizens on December 15 at St Theresa's High School, Bandra. "We had seniors coming from different churches. They enjoyed a day of music and food," said Jenniffer D'Souza from the group.

'Christmas Tree Parties' for children and 'crib competitions' are other features of Advent. The Bombay Catholic Sabha is holding a competition for the best cribs in the city. The Mobai Gaothan Panchayat, an organisation of the native East Indian community, is organising 'Sarvajanik Krist Janmotsav 2024' and is dedicating the celebrations to Kaka Baptista, a freedom fighter, lawyer, and political leader. The festival will feature crib competitions, Christmas-themed village decorations, an East Indian Naataal (Christmas) bazaar, carol singing, and hampers for needy families.

The weeks are also a period for prayers, charity, penance, introspection, and confession. As preparation for Christmast  St Peter's Church, will have facilities for confessions in the school pavilion in the evenings between December 19 and 21.