Buon Natale - Wikipedia

Annual Christmas procession in Thrissur, Kerala, India For other uses, see Buon Natale (disambiguation).

Buon Natale
Genre	Cultural festival
Dates	December–January
Locations	Thrissur, Kerala, India
Years active	2013 – present
Next event	27 December 2025

Buon Natale (from the Italian phrase meaning "Merry Christmas"; Malayalam: ബോൺ നത്താലെ) is the cultural festival organized by the Thrissur Archdiocese and Thrissur Citizenry in association with Christmas celebration. It is held at the premises of Thrissur city in Kerala every year from 2013. Buon Natale procession entered the Guinness World Records in 2014 for having the maximum number of people dressed up as Santa Claus.[1][2][3][4] This event was started to raise charitable funds along with the celebrations.[5][6]

History

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The Buon Natale was first conducted by the Thrissur Archdiocese in 2013.[7][8] This was flagged of by former president of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.[9] 5,000 Santa Clauses and 2,000 angels was part of this cultural event.[10] On 27 December 2014 this event had the participation of 18,112 number Santa Clauses and won the Guinness World Records.[1][4] Due to COVID-19 pandemic there were no celebrations in the year 2020 and 2021.

• PLot at Buon Natale 2019 procession
• Santas walking during Buon Natale 2019
• Buon Natale procession closing ceremony 2019

2022

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The 10th edition of Buon Natale was held on 27 December 2022. The procession started from St. Thomas College, Thrissur and goes round through the Swaraj Round, Thrissur. The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla was the chief guest of the 2022nd Buon Natale.[11][12]

• John Barla, Union Minister of India interacting with the Buon Natale participates
• Santa Clause dressed participants
• Buon Natale 2022 Plot
• Santa Clause dressed participants

2023

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Swaraj Round, a vibrant cultural hub in Thrissur, has been the spirited stage for the festive dances of countless Santa Clauses, providing a lively showcase of Kerala's rich pluralistic cultural heritage. From nursery students to spirited senior citizens, some surpassing the age of 80, and women, all donned the iconic attire of Christmas Papas, joyously dancing to the tunes of special Buon Natale songs. Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, mayor M K Varghese, MP T N Prathapan, and MLAs P Balachandran and Saneesh Kumar Joseph, district collector Krishna Teja were among those who participated in the opening session.[13]

• Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing to the tunes of Buon Natale songs
• Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing
• Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing to the tunes of Buon Natale songs
• Buon Natale 2023 Plot
• Buon Natale 2023 Plot

2024

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In 2024 more than 15,000 people participated the Buon Natale Christmas procession. The event was inaugurated by Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, along with Ministers K. Rajan and R. Bindu, P. Balachandran, Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese, and other socio-political and religious leaders. Over 110 parishes under the Thrissur Archdiocese participated. The event featured a grand procession, attracting thousands and highlighting Thrissur’s cultural and religious harmony during Christmas.[14][15]

• Buon Natale 2024 participants
• Buon Natale 2024 participants dancing
• Buon Natale 2024 participants dancing
• Buon Natale 2024 participants

2025

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In this year more than 15,000 participants dressed as Santa Claus marched through the streets, transforming Thrissur into a vibrant display of red and white. The procession was inaugurated by Union Minister for Culture & Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. This year’s edition featured a theme song by music director Jerry Amaldev, along with synchronised flash mobs, tableaux, and innovative elements such as skating Santas, a robot Santa, and a drone Santa. AI-supported moving floats created by students and teachers of Jyothi Engineering College added a futuristic dimension to the celebrations. Charity initiatives linked to the event, along with participation from religious leaders, ministers, and civic representatives, underscored Buon Natale’s emphasis on social responsibility, communal harmony, and shared celebration.[16][17][18]

Procession

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The procession starts from St Thomas College in Thrissur, encircles Swaraj Round and ends at Saktan Thampuran Ground. Members from different churches under the Thrissur Archdiocese participates in the procession.[5][19]

References

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1. ^ a b "'Buon Natale' enters Guinness World Records". The Hindu. 28 December 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
2. ^ "Mighty 'Buon Natale' procession paints Thrissur in red". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
3. ^ "Indian Parade Sets Guinness Record With 18,112 Santas". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
4. ^ a b "People in Kerala create world record for largest Santa Claus gathering | News - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
5. ^ a b "Largest gathering of Santa Claus". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
6. ^ "Buon Natale exhibition begins". The Hindu, Special Correspondent. 20 December 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
7. ^ "Santas' day out in Thrissur". Deccan Chronicle. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
8. ^ "Santas on wheelchairs". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
9. ^ IANS (27 December 2013). "5,000 Santas, 2,000 angels in biggest Xmas pageant". Business Standard India. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
10. ^ "5,000 Santas, 2,000 angels in biggest Xmas pageant". Firstpost. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
11. ^ "Buon Natale-2022 to be celebrated on December 27". The Hindu. 23 December 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
12. ^ "buon natale thrissur അണിനിരന്നത്..." www.twentyfournews.com. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
13. ^ "More than 10,000 Santa Clauses add colour to Buon Natale celebrations at Thrissur". The Times of India. 28 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
14. ^ "Thrissur buzzes with festivity as Santas take over the streets". The Hindu. 27 December 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
15. ^ "ആഘോഷമൊരുക്കി ബോൺ നതാലെ; കൺനിറയെ പാപ്പാമാർ". ആഘോഷമൊരുക്കി ബോൺ നതാലെ; കൺനിറയെ പാപ്പാമാർ (in Malayalam). Retrieved 13 March 2025.
16. ^ "Buon Natale rally turns Thrissur into a living canvas of Christmas joy". The Hindu. 27 December 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
17. ^ "സാന്റാക്കടലായി തൃശൂരിലെ 'ബോൺ നതാലെ' സാന്താക്ലോസ് റാലി; അണിനിരന്നത് 15,000 പാപ്പമാർ". സാന്റാക്കടലായി തൃശൂരിലെ ‘ബോൺ നതാലെ’ സാന്താക്ലോസ് റാലി; അണിനിരന്നത് 15,000 പാപ്പമാർ (in Malayalam). Retrieved 30 December 2025.
18. ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (28 December 2025). "ഏത് മൂഡ്... സാൻ്റാ മൂഡ്... തൃശൂർ കളറാക്കി ബോൺ നതാലെ; അണിനിരന്നത് 15,000 പാപ്പമാർ". ETV Bharat News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 30 December 2025.
19. ^ "Thousands of Santa Clauses descend on Thrissur". The Hindu. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.

External links

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buon Natale, Thrissur.

• Culture & Heritage Thrissur District
• Archdiocese of thrissur

v t e Tourist attractions in Thrissur
Dams	Chimmony Dam Peechi Dam Peringalkuthu Dam Poomala Dam Sholayar Dam Vazhani Dam
Beaches and waterfalls	Athirappilly Falls Charpa Falls Pattathippara Falls Vazhachal Falls Marottichal Chavakkad Beach Munakkal Beach Snehatheeram Beach
Forts and palaces	Cheraman Parambu Cranganore Fort William Fort Puthen Kovilakam Punnathurkotta Merry Lodge Palace Kollengode Palace Kodungallur Kovilakam Shakthan Thampuran Palace
Boatraces	Kandassankadavu Boat Race Triprayar Boat Race
Parks and zoos	Vanchikulam Thrissur Zoo Viyyur Jail Park Padinjarechira Vadakkechira Vilangan Hills Thekkinkadu Maidan Nehru Park, Thrissur Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Exhibitions and film festivals	Thrissur Pooram Exhibition ViBGYOR Film Festival Thrissur International Film Festival International Theatre Festival of Kerala
Buildings	Bible Tower Mala Synagogue Ramanilayam Cheraman Juma Masjid Thrissur Town Hall Banerjee Memorial Club Cochin State Forest Tramway Municipal Corporation Building, Thrissur
Festivals	Puli Kali Aanayoottu Ilanjithara Melam Thrissur Pooram Peruvanam Pooram Arattupuzha Pooram Machad Mamangam Chembai Sangeetholsavam Feast of Saint Raphael, Ollur Edakkunni Uthram Vilakku Buon Natale
Prehistoric	Ariyannur Umbrellas Kudakkallu Parambu Chovvanur burial cave Punarjani Guha
Museums	Archaeological Museum, Thrissur Vallathol Museum Mural Art Museum Devaswom Museum Ramavarma Appan Thampuran Memorial Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum