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Kerala Festivals & Events 🎉

From thundering Pooram elephants to snake boat races and mystical Theyyam rituals — celebrate Kerala all year round.

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Complete Calendar

All Kerala Festivals

🌼
🪔 Traditional
April
Vishu — Kerala New Year
📍 Statewide
The Malayalam New Year marked by Vishukkani (auspicious first sight of gold, rice, fruits), Vishu Kaineetam (gift-giving), and firecrackers. Celebrated with new clothes and special meals.
New YearKaineetam
🔥
🪔 Traditional
February – March
Attukal Pongala — Women's Festival
📍 Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
The world's largest gathering of women — over 2.5 million women cook Pongala (sweet rice porridge) on makeshift hearths across city streets as an offering to Attukal Amma. Guinness World Record holder.
2.5M womenGuinness record
💫
🪔 Traditional
December – January
Thiruvathira — Dance of the Stars
📍 Statewide (especially Palakkad, Thrissur)
Women observe Thiruvathira fasting and perform the graceful Thiruvathirakali circular dance overnight, celebrating the union of Shiva and Parvati. A deeply feminine and spiritual festival of Kerala.
Women's danceOvernight fast
🐘
🐘 Pooram
April
Nenmara-Vallangi Vela
📍 Nenmara, Palakkad
Two teams from Nenmara and Vallangi compete in an elephant procession spectacle with competing percussion ensembles, colourful parasols and fireworks lasting several nights.
PalakkadTeam rivalry
🪘
🐘 Pooram
February – March
Arattupuzha Pooram
📍 Arattupuzha, Thrissur
One of the oldest poorams in Kerala, Arattupuzha Pooram is a grand annual festival with 60+ elephants, spectacular Panchavadyam performances, and fireworks display lasting through the night.
60+ elephantsOldest pooram
⛵
🛶 Boat Race
July
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
📍 Champakulam, Alleppey
The oldest snake boat race in Kerala, held on the Pamba river during the Karkidaka month. A religious procession transforms into a thrilling race on the tranquil backwaters of Champakulam.
Oldest racePamba river
🚣
🛶 Boat Race
August – September
Aranmula Vallamkali
📍 Aranmula, Pathanamthitta
The only boat race held as a religious offering on the Pamba river during Onam season. Snake boats glide past the Parthasarathy Temple amid chanting and Onam celebrations. A uniquely spiritual boat race experience.
ReligiousOnam season
🌊
🛶 Boat Race
September – October
Payammal Boat Race
📍 Payammal, Thrissur
A traditional boat race on the Chalakudy river, bringing together dozens of snake boats in an energetic competition watched by thousands lining the riverbanks.
Chalakudy riverThrissur
⛪
⛪ Feast
January
Arthunkal Perunnal (St. Sebastian Feast)
📍 Arthunkal, Alleppey
Thousands of pilgrims crawl on their knees or carry crosses to St. Andrew's Basilica during a 9-day feast in honour of St. Sebastian. One of the most dramatic Catholic pilgrimages in Kerala.
PilgrimageAlleppey
✝️
⛪ Feast
September – October
Vallarpadam Church Feast
📍 Vallarpadam, Kochi
The feast of Our Lady of Ransom at Vallarpadam Basilica — one of Kerala's most important Marian shrines. Thousands arrive by boat and on foot for the annual feast and novena celebrations.
Marian shrineKochi
🔥
🔥 Theyyam
November – April
Theyyam Season — North Kerala
📍 Kannur, Kasaragod
Over 400 varieties of Theyyam — a possession ritual dance where performers become the deity — performed in kavus (sacred groves) across northern Kerala. Elaborate costumes up to 30 feet tall, fire dances, and oracular pronouncements. A profoundly spiritual experience unlike anything else. 📖 Full Guide →
400+ formsKannurNov–Apr
🏔️
🔥 Theyyam
December – January (Peak)
Parassinikadavu Muthappan Theyyam
📍 Parassinikadavu, Kannur
Daily Theyyam performed at Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple — one of the rare temples where Theyyam is performed every single day. Muthappan, a hunter deity, accepts offerings of toddy and dried fish. Most accessible Theyyam experience for visitors.
Daily TheyyamKannur
🎭
🎭 Padayani
March – May
Padayani Festival — Pathanamthitta
📍 Pathanamthitta, Central Kerala
A vibrant ritual art form unique to the Bhagavathi temples of central Kerala. Giant kolams (effigies) of Bhairavi, Kalan (god of death), Yakshi and Pakshi dance on the temple grounds to drum beats. Held over several nights with satirical performances called Thullal.
Giant kolamsPathanamthitta
🎵
🎶 Music & Dance
January
Swathi Music Festival
📍 Kuthiramalika Palace, Thiruvananthapuram
A week-long classical music festival in the open courtyard of Kuthiramalika Palace, honouring Maharaja Swathi Tirunal — composer of 400+ Carnatic compositions. Top Carnatic and Hindustani musicians perform under the stars. Free entry.
Carnatic musicFree entry
💃
🎶 Music & Dance
January
Nishagandhi Dance & Music Festival
📍 Nishagandhi Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram
A prestigious open-air performing arts festival featuring Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi and Odissi by India's leading classical dancers. Held in the famous Nishagandhi amphitheatre against a backdrop of night-blooming flowers.
Classical danceOpen-air
🎺
🎶 Music & Dance
December
Sangeetha Sagar Music Festival
📍 Thrissur
A major music festival in Kerala's cultural capital Thrissur, featuring classical, fusion, and folk music performances across multiple stages. Attracts both established maestros and emerging artists from Kerala and across India.
ThrissurMulti-genre
🌧️
🌧️ Monsoon
September (Kerala Tourism)
Kerala Tourism Monsoon Festival
📍 Alleppey, Kochi, Wayanad
Kerala Tourism's celebration of the monsoon with special packages, cultural events, backwater tours, ayurveda retreats and adventure activities. Multiple venues across Kerala celebrate the green season with discounted rates and unique experiences.
MonsoonDiscountsAdventure
🎆
🎆 Other
December – January
Christmas & New Year in Kerala
📍 Kochi, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala has one of India's most vibrant Christmas celebrations — ornate star lanterns (pazhayidam taras) lit in every home, midnight masses in ancient churches, carol processions, and a uniquely Keralan Christmas feast. Fort Kochi's streets light up spectacularly.
Fort KochiMidnight massStar lanterns
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