Festivals & events

30 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

Thai Pongal (14–15 January · Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa · Central Highlands) — Tamil harvest festival celebrated with colorful kolam designs, new rice cooking, and family gatherings. A vibrant cultural celebration hono…
Independence Day (4 February · All regions · National) — Sri Lanka's national day commemorating independence from British rule in 1948. Features parades, flag hoisting ceremonies, and cultural per…
Nuwara Eliya Festival (5–7 February · Nuwara Eliya · Central Highlands) — Colonial-era festival in Sri Lanka's highest town featuring horse racing, cultural shows, and local crafts. A unique blend of British herit…
Maha Shivaratri (All February · Colombo, Jaffna, Trincomalee · Dry Zone) — Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva with night-long vigils and prayers at temples. Celebrated with special pujas and devotional singing acro…
Maduru Oya Festival (All March · Matara District · Dry Zone) — Ancient Buddhist pilgrimage festival with sacred cave worship and mountain climbing traditions. Pilgrims trek to Maduru Oya caves for spiri…
Sinhala and Tamil New Year (13–14 April · All regions · National) — Sri Lanka's traditional new year celebrated with spring cleaning, family meals, and cultural games. Features colorful decorations, traditio…
Galle Literary Festival (All January · Galle · Southern Coast) — Annual literary gathering in the historic Galle Fort featuring authors, poets, and intellectuals. One of Asia's largest and most prestigiou…
Negombo Beach Carnival (All February · Negombo · West Coast) — Coastal celebration with boat decorations, fishing competitions, and beach parties. Celebrates the fishing heritage and maritime culture of…
Kandy Perahera (All August · Kandy · Central Highlands) — Sri Lanka's most spectacular festival featuring ornate tusked elephants, fire dancers, and torch-lit processions. UNESCO-recognized celebra…
Colombo Jazz Festival (All March · Colombo · Central Highlands) — International music festival showcasing world-class jazz artists and emerging talent. Held in historic venues across Colombo with performan…
Jaffna Nallur Kandasamy Temple Festival (All August · Jaffna · Northern Peninsula) — Ancient Hindu temple festival featuring processions, religious ceremonies, and chariot processions. One of the most important Hindu festiva…
Vesak Full Moon Poya (All May · All regions · National) — Buddhist holiday celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing with temple visits and merit-making. Features colorful lanterns, pa…
Poson Full Moon Poya (All June · Anuradhapura, Mihintale · National) — Celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka with pilgrimages to Anuradhapura and Mihintale. Monks and devotees gather at sacred sites f…
Colombo Port City Festival (All June · Colombo · Central Highlands) — Modern festival celebrating Colombo's maritime heritage and urban culture. Features food, music, art installations, and cultural performanc…
Esala Perahera (Colombo) (All August · Colombo · Central Highlands) — Colombo's version of the famous perahera featuring street processions and cultural displays. Smaller but vibrant celebration of Buddhist tr…
Arugambe Surf Festival (All October · Arugambe · Southern Coast) — International surfing competition attracting world-class surfers to Sri Lanka's premier beach. Features competitions, beach parties, and wa…
Colombo International Film Festival (All March · Colombo · Central Highlands) — Premier film festival showcasing international cinema and South Asian productions. Prestigious event with premieres, awards, and industry n…
Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Festival (All May · Trincomalee · Eastern Coast) — Festival celebrating the naval heritage and maritime culture of Sri Lanka's major port. Features boat races, naval displays, and traditiona…
Unawatuna Coral Reef Festival (All May · Unawatuna · Southern Coast) — Celebration of marine conservation and coastal biodiversity in a popular beach town. Features environmental awareness programs, water sport…
Sigiriya Festival (All December · Sigiriya · Dry Zone) — Cultural festival celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage site with traditional dance and music. Features performances around the ancient roc…
Deepavali (Diwali) (All October · Colombo, Jaffna, Trincomalee · Central Highlands) — Hindu festival of lights celebrated with oil lamps, fireworks, and family gatherings. Features colorful decorations, traditional sweets, an…
Batticaloa Floating Lights Festival (All October · Batticaloa · Eastern Coast) — Unique festival where thousands of floating lights and lanterns illuminate the lagoon. Celebrates Hindu traditions with mesmerizing night-t…
Matara Raja Maha Vihara Festival (All July · Matara · Southern Coast) — Ancient Buddhist temple festival with religious ceremonies and processions. Celebrates the historical significance of one of Sri Lanka's ol…
Colombo International Book Fair (All September · Colombo · Central Highlands) — Annual book fair featuring local and international publishers, authors, and literary events. Major cultural event attracting readers, colle…
Galle Fort Independence Day (4 February · Galle · National) — Celebrations at the historic UNESCO World Heritage site with cultural programs and historical reenactments. Combines national independence…
New Year Fete (Colombo) (1 January · All regions · National) — New Year celebrations with public holidays and festivities across the nation. Features parties, fireworks, and family gatherings nationwide.
Eid ul-Fitr (All January · All regions · National) — Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan with prayers, family celebrations, and communal feasts. Public holiday with special religious c…
Eid ul-Adha (All January · All regions · National) — Islamic festival of sacrifice celebrated with prayer services and animal sacrifices. Important religious occasion with family gatherings an…
Christmas Day (25 December · All regions · National) — Christian holiday celebrated with church services, family celebrations, and festive decorations. Public holiday observed in churches and Ch…
Kataragama Festival (All July · Kataragama · Uva) — Ancient pilgrimage festival honoring the deity Skanda with religious processions and rituals. One of Sri Lanka's most important multi-faith…