UK Konkans – 21st Annual Christmas Celebration 2025
The UK Konkans community joyfully celebrated its 21st Annual Christmas Celebration on 7THDecember 2025, marking yet another year of togetherness, culture, and festive spirit. After many memorable years at the Addlestone Community Centre, the organisers chose a new venue, the elegant Honeymoon Banqueting Hall a decision that added freshness, grandeur, and comfort to this year’s festivities.
Welcoming 190 guests, the celebration brought together families, friends, and well-wishers who embraced the warmth and unity of the season. The beautifully decorated stage, enhanced by elegant white floral ring arrangements by Gratian and Sheela, served as a striking centrepiece and set the tone for a magical afternoon.
The celebration began at 11:30 a.m. with guest registration, where Kristian, Glenston, Clara, Sheela and Gretta warmly welcomed attendees. Their efficient coordination and cheerful presence ensured a smooth and pleasant start to the celebration. Guests then proceeded to the much-loved family photo booth, led by Sylvester D’Souza, which once again allowed families to capture joyful Christmas memories with their loved ones.
At 12:30 p.m., the event was officially opened by MC Jeson Pinto, whose vibrant hosting, supported by lively DJ background music, instantly lifted the atmosphere. His warm introduction beautifully set the stage for a day filled with joy, community spirit, and festive celebration.
The gathering was then invited into a moment of reflection with the Christmas Reflections and Opening Prayer, followed by soothing and uplifting carols sung by Beena D’Souza and Shanthi Menezes. Their melodious performance created a serene and meaningful beginning.
By 12:45 p.m. guests were served delicious starters and drinks as they mingled and settled in for the afternoon.
UK Konkans President, Kevin Madtha, extended a heartfelt welcome, expressing gratitude to the organising committee and honouring sponsors Mr & Mrs Lobo, Mr Peter D’Sa, and Mr Jeevan Lobo through a special felicitation.
MC Jeson then energised the room with an entertaining Newcomers’ Game, ensuring first-time attendees felt included and warmly welcomed. This was followed by an exciting spot-prize segment, which brought smiles and cheerful enthusiasm across the hall.
Cultural and Dance Performances
Young talents Raya, Rowman, Aryana, and Ian, aged 3 to 4, delighted the audience with an adorable and graceful dance performance. Tia Fernandes mesmerized the crowd with her elegant routine, while Calvin, our superstar performer, impressed everyone with a heartfelt and confident performance, earning enthusiastic applause and encouragement. Amelia Pinto, a natural talent, delivered a captivating solo choreographed by her mother Renita; despite her young age, she danced with remarkable energy and confidence, leaving the audience in awe of her moves and attitude. Riana and Mahima showcased their synchronized elegance in a well-coordinated performance, and the dynamic duo of Alisha and Lerin thrilled the crowd with their dazzling and energetic routine.
Kuswar Charity Sale Announcement
This year’s Kuswar—a treasured Konkani Christmas tradition,was lovingly prepared by UK Konkans members and sold out within one hour.
Tom D’Souza announced that all proceeds would support Olavina Halli, a charitable institution near Mangalore dedicated to caring for leprosy patients, the elderly, and the destitute. Founded in 1974 by Sr. Amelia Cimolino, the Sisters of Charity continue to guide the center with compassion, offering holistic care to over 100 residents. This act of generosity highlighted the community’s commitment to love, service, and giving.
The MC, along with the DJ Kenn, invited couples and families to the dance floor for general dancing.
Meanwhile, Mini Madtha, Mabel, and Jyoti Gonsalves sold raffle tickets for a hamper, which had been thoughtfully prepared by Savio and Jyoti Gonsalves.
Lunch, Skits, and Santa’s Arrival
Fr. Steven led the gathering in a heartfelt prayer, expressing gratitude for the food and the day’s blessings. The buffet, served by Honeymoon Banqueting, featured a mouthwatering homemade Dukra Mass prepared by UK Konkans volunteers.
Lunchtime buzzed with energy as Eric, Beena, Nisha, Sheryl, Gratian, Smita/Glen entertained the guests, making the meal a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.
Eric Tom and Harry presented a Hilarious skit Sezarancho Gozali that had the audience laughing, offering a mix of humour and festive spirit. Their light-hearted performance added to the fun of the day.
The most awaited moment finally arrived — Santa Claus himself!
Making a grand and cheerful entrance, Santa instantly filled the hall with excitement as children hurried over, eager for photos and, of course, treats. His arrival sparked pure joy, creating a truly memorable highlight of the celebration.
The children were overjoyed, their faces lighting up brighter than Christmas lights. Santa lovingly handed out sweets to every child, spreading joy and creating unforgettable memories and maybe a tiny sugar rush too!
This was followed by an energetic Medley Dance performed in pairs by Sylvester & Charlotte, Shanthi & Melroy, Harry & Eric, Alisha & Lerin/Melroy, and Lavita & Sinatra.
It was truly one of the standout performances of the event, with each pair dancing gracefully and confidently. Their coordination, style, and enthusiasm lit up the stage, earning well-deserved applause from everyone present. At the end of the performance, the entire group came together for the lively “Whistle Maar” number — a top-notch act that wrapped up the medley with a burst of energy. Their spirit and teamwork were truly inspiring and added a beautiful charm to the celebration.
Following this, the DJ’s Non-Stop Dance session took over, giving all the guests a chance to dance to their heart’s content. The floor buzzed with excitement, and the joyful atmosphere carried on well into the evening, leaving everyone with smiles, laughter, and great memories.
In his brief vote of thanks, Tom D’Souza expressed sincere appreciation to the entire community for their continued love and support. He also acknowledged the contributions of all sponsors, dedicated volunteers, President Kevin and the core committee, DJ Kenn for the music, MC Jeson for hosting, and every performer who made the event memorable.
The beautifully arranged Christmas Hamper was one of the best parts of the evening. The draw created great excitement as guests eagerly waited to hear their names. Several wonderful prizes were won by various guests adding extra sparkle to the celebration.
The winner of the grand hamper was Jasnave Pinto and to make it sweeter, it was her birthday bringing huge smiles and plenty of festive cheer.
Conclusion
The 21st Christmas Celebration of UK Konkans was a heartfelt blend of tradition, culture, charity, and fellowship. Moving the event to a banqueting hall proved to be one of the best decisions, offering the perfect setting for a celebration of this scale and spirit.
The success of the Kuswar sale and donations, the generous support for Olavina Halli raising £1000, the enthusiastic performers, and the warm presence of 190 guests all came together to create a truly memorable milestone for the community. From organisers and volunteers to performers and attendees, everyone played a special role in shaping a day filled with love, unity, generosity, and the true essence of Christmas. It was a celebration that not only touched hearts but also strengthened the beautiful bond within the UK Konkans family.
On behalf of UK Konkans, we wish everyone a blessed festive season filled with joy, peace and a Merry Christmas.
Report by – Shanthi Menezes
Moments, music, and merry vibes—Christmas Party highlights – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvHU3QJRnZ5xljdm4r13xqsK_7fqbJJ1Y
