Swap a grey British December for warm evenings, Carnatic concerts, temple towns and the sea. Here is how to plan it, and how to get there.
At a glance: is Chennai a good winter holiday from the UK?
Yes. December is Chennai’s best month. Days sit around 28 to 30°C, the north-east monsoon is tailing off, and the Margazhi music and dance season runs from mid-December to mid-January with hundreds of sabhas and more than 2,000 performances. British Airways flies non-stop from London Heathrow to Chennai, with one-stop options via the Gulf, Delhi and Mumbai. Go for 8 to 10 days over the Christmas school holidays and add Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and Kanchipuram.
Why Chennai in December?
Most of the year, Chennai is hot. December is the exception. The heat eases, the evenings are pleasant, and the city fills with music. It is also when many Tamil families in London, Leicester and Birmingham head home for weddings and the season’s concerts.
When | Typical daytime | Rain | What it means for you |
Late November to early December | Around 28 to 30°C | North-east monsoon tailing off; some showers | Pack a light rain jacket. Fine for the city and concerts. |
Mid-December to mid-January | Around 28 to 30°C, cooler evenings | Mostly dry | The best window. Margazhi season is in full swing. |
February | Warming up | Dry | Still good for the coast and temple towns. Concerts have finished. |
Margazhi is the Tamil month that runs from mid-December to mid-January, and it is Chennai’s classical music and dance season. Concert halls called sabhas host morning lecture-demonstrations, afternoon slots for younger artists and evening concerts by the big names. Many performances are free or low cost. And each sabha runs a “canteen”, a temporary restaurant serving South Indian food that is a highlight in its own right.
Margazhi season 2026 to 2027: dates to plan around
Programmes are usually announced from November, so check each sabha’s website closer to the time.
Event | Dates | Notes |
Margazhi music and dance season across Chennai | Mid-December 2026 to mid-January 2027 | Hundreds of sabhas, more than 2,000 performances. Many free or low cost. |
Madras Music Academy: 100th annual conference and concerts | 15 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 | The centenary season. Expect strong demand for evening concerts. |
Sri Krishna Gana Sabha: Natya Kala Conference | 26 to 28 December 2026 | Dance-focused. Good for families who want to see Bharatanatyam up close. |
UK school Christmas holidays begin around 18 or 19 December 2026, though it varies by school. Fly out that weekend and you land in time for the Music Academy’s second week and the Natya Kala Conference. Fly home in early January for the start of term.
How to get from the UK to Chennai
There are three ways to get there.
Route | Airlines (typical) | Notes |
London Heathrow to Chennai, non-stop | British Airways | The simplest option. Check live days and times for your dates. |
London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow via Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi | Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad | Best from the regions. Layover length varies, so we check each one. |
London via Delhi or Mumbai | Air India and others, then a domestic flight | Useful if you want to see family in the north on the same trip. |
On fares: the Mann Travel homepage does not show a Chennai fare today, so we will not guess one. For reference, London Heathrow to Mumbai was from £286 per person and to Delhi from £303 per person, checked 30 September 2026, prices change daily. Christmas week is peak on every India route, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. Search live fares on our flights page or call 0208 099 9900.
A sample 9-day Chennai winter holiday
This plan mixes concerts, the coast and two temple towns. Swap days around to suit your family.
Day | Where | What |
1 | Chennai | Arrive, settle in, evening walk on Marina Beach. |
2 | Chennai | Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the lanes of Mylapore. First evening concert. |
3 | Chennai | Morning lecture-demonstration at the Music Academy, canteen lunch, then San Thome and Fort St George. |
4 | Kanchipuram (day trip) | About two hours by car. Temples and silk weavers. Back for an evening concert. |
5 | Mahabalipuram | About 90 minutes down the coast. Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance. Stay by the sea. |
6 | Pondicherry | Two more hours south. The French Quarter, the promenade, a slow dinner. |
7 | Pondicherry | Auroville, the beach, the cafes. A rest day. |
8 | Chennai | Drive back. Natya Kala Conference if you are there 26 to 28 December, or shopping in T. Nagar. |
9 | Fly home | One last canteen meal, then the airport. |
With ten days, add a night in Mahabalipuram or a second rest day in Pondicherry. With eight, skip Kanchipuram.
6 things to book ahead
1. Flights over the school holidays
The weekend of 19 and 20 December is one of the busiest of the year for UK to India flights. Book now. Flying a day or two earlier, or returning midweek in early January, usually helps.
2. Hotels in Chennai and by the sea
Mylapore and Alwarpet put you close to the main sabhas. In Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry, sea-facing and French Quarter hotels fill early over Christmas. Our hotels page covers popular Indian destinations, and our team can quote Chennai and coastal stays on request.
3. Concert seats at the big sabhas
The Music Academy’s centenary season will be popular, so buy tickets online once the programme is out. Smaller sabhas often have free entry and plenty of space in the morning and afternoon slots.
4. A car and driver for the coast road
The East Coast Road from Chennai to Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry is easy by car. A car and driver for the middle days saves haggling over taxis with tired parents and children.
5. Your Indian visa
British passport holders need an Indian e-visa or an OCI card. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly, and read the UK government travel advice for India before you go.
6. Students and education staff: use MannPass
Verified students, teachers, lecturers and education staff in the UK can join MannPass for free. It takes an extra £25 off selected return flights from the UK to India. It is valid for 30 days, renewable, and cannot be combined with other Mann Travel promotions.
Travelling with family and elderly parents
Book everyone on one booking. Seats stay together and changes are simpler.
Pace the concerts. Evening concerts can run two to three hours. Pick one a day, and use the morning slots for children and grandparents.
Ask about wheelchair assistance and meals at booking. It is easier to arrange before you fly than at the airport.
Carry medicines in hand luggage with a copy of the prescription.
Pack for warm days and post-monsoon evenings. Light cotton, a hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Take travel insurance that covers the whole family, including older travellers’ existing conditions.
Why book your Chennai winter holiday with Mann Travel?
Mann Travel’s UK team is based in Southall, London. We specialise in flights and hotels to India, speak Hindi, Punjabi and English, and support you 24/7 while you are away. We book from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and we help groups and families travel together. Have a question first? Contact us or read our FAQs.
Heading north instead? Read our new guide to flights from London to Amritsar.
Let’s take you to Chennai this winter.
Search live fares at manntravel.co.uk/flights or call our Southall team on 0208 099 9900. Hindi, Punjabi and English spoken.
frequently asked questions
When is the Margazhi music season in Chennai?
Mid-December to mid-January every year. For 2026 to 2027, the Madras Music Academy’s centenary conference and concerts run from 15 December 2026 to 1 January 2027.
What is the weather like in Chennai in December?
Warm and mostly dry. Days are around 28 to 30°C, evenings are cooler, and the north-east monsoon is tailing off, so early December can bring a few showers.
Are there non-stop flights from the UK to Chennai?
Yes. British Airways flies non-stop from London Heathrow to Chennai. From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the usual route is one stop via a Gulf hub.
How many days do I need for a Chennai winter holiday?
Eight to ten days works well. That gives you three or four days of concerts in Chennai plus Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry.
Do I need a visa for Chennai?
Yes. British passport holders need an Indian e-visa or an OCI card. Apply on the official Indian visa website before you travel.
Fares, schedules and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Event dates are as published by the organisers and may change. Always check live prices and programmes before booking.
