Christmas Day, Friday 25 December 2026, is a state public holiday in Tamil Nadu under the 2026 holiday notification, and the busiest place in Chennai that night is usually the Santhome Cathedral Basilica in Mylapore. The church’s special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service times are announced by the parish closer to the date, so check its official schedule page or call the parish office in December.
Below is what the basilica’s own records say about its history, the regular Mass timings you can rely on now, and practical advice for the festive crowd.
Why Santhome matters: the history in brief
The basilica stands over what Christian tradition holds to be the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle. The church’s history page says he came to India in 52 AD, preached on the west coast and around Chennai, died in the city in 72 AD and was buried at Santhome. Tamil Nadu Tourism’s page on the basilica notes it is one of only three known churches built over an apostle’s tomb, the others being St Peter’s in the Vatican and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Key dates from the basilica’s own account:
- 1517 to 1523: Portuguese arrivals found the old church in ruins except for the small tomb chapel, and rebuilt it on a smaller scale in 1523. It became a parish in 1524.
- 1893: Under the bishop of the time, the Portuguese church was pulled down and the present building begun, with the tomb at its centre. The smaller of the two towers sits directly above the tomb.
- 1 April 1896: The new church was blessed. Captain J.A. Power, a retired Royal Engineers officer and parishioner, designed and supervised it largely free of charge.
- 1956: It was declared a minor basilica.
- 2002 to 2004: A restoration fixed a leaking roof and salt-damaged walls, exposed the original teak ceiling and restored the stained glass.
The building is Gothic in style, with a steeple 155 feet high and a nave 112 feet long. The three stained-glass windows facing east, showing the risen Jesus appearing to St Thomas, were made by Mayer and Company of Munich.
What to see on a visit
The underground tomb chapel has its own entrance from outside, so pilgrims can pray at the tomb without disturbing Mass upstairs. A museum displays objects linked to the apostle; Tamil Nadu Tourism lists a spearhead associated with his death, relics, inscribed stones and paintings of his life, and there is a mini-theatre showing a short film. Inside the main church, look for the roughly three-foot statue of Our Lady of Mylapore, known in Tamil as Mylai Matha, before which St Francis Xavier is said to have prayed in 1545. Neither the parish nor Tourism lists an entry fee.
Regular Mass timings
| Day | Mass times (language) |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 6.15 am (English), 11 am (Tamil, tomb chapel), 6.15 pm (Tamil) |
| Sunday | 6 am (Tamil), 7.15 am (English), 8.30 am (Tamil), 10.15 am (English), 11.30 am (English), 5.30 pm (English, tomb chapel), 6 pm (Tamil) |
These are from the parish’s published schedule; Christmas week timings will be different. Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday, and the basilica holds an adoration, Divine Mercy prayer and Tamil Mass at 3 pm on Fridays, which may be changed for the feast. The parish office numbers listed are 044 2498 0758 and 73580 04121.
Crowds and security around Christmas
Christmas Eve night draws the largest crowds of the year to Santhome, and the stretch of San Thome High Road between the basilica and the Marina gets congested. Last year, the Greater Chennai Police said it had deployed 15,000 personnel across the city, with Santhome named among four churches under close surveillance along with the Annai Velankanni shrine in Besant Nagar, St Anthony’s Church at Parrys and St George’s Cathedral on Anna Salai, News Today reported. Similar arrangements are likely this year.
- Arrive early. For the midnight service, aim to be seated at least an hour before it begins.
- Leave the car at home. Parking near the basilica is very limited and roads around it may be regulated. Take an auto, cab or MTC bus to Santhome or Mylapore and walk the last stretch.
- Travel light. Expect bag checks at the gates. Keep phones and wallets in front pockets.
- Children and elders: Agree on a meeting point in case you get separated. The tomb chapel queue moves slowly on the night.
- Dress modestly and keep silence during services. Photography during Mass is discouraged.
- Visit on another day if you only want to see the building. Weekday mornings in December are calm.
The basilica also holds a monthly feast for St Thomas on the 3rd of each month and a Mylai Matha procession on the second Saturday, both busier than ordinary days.
Quick answers
Is Christmas a holiday in Tamil Nadu in 2026?
Yes. Friday 25 December 2026 is a listed public holiday for state offices and banks.
When is the Christmas midnight Mass at Santhome?
The parish announces Christmas service times in December. Check santhomechurch.org or call 044 2498 0758.
Is there an entry fee for the basilica or tomb chapel?
No fee is listed by the parish or Tamil Nadu Tourism.
When did Santhome become a basilica?
In 1956. The present building was blessed on 1 April 1896.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
