Kerala is a land of festivals. Festivals of Kerala range from the most famous celebrations like Snake Boat Races, Cochin carnival, Onam & Vishu to local events like Payippad Boat Race and Thutha Pooram. Each of these Kerala festivals is celebrated and enjoyed by people from different sects, regions and religions with fun, enthusiasm and gaiety ensuring religious and communal harmony.
The famous festivals in Kerala range from celebrations like Snake Boat Races to the Cochin Carnival, Onam, Vishu, and local events like Payippad Boat Race and Thutha Pooram. Packed with rich traditions and rituals, these famous Kerala festivals offer a deep understanding of its vibrant culture and heritage!
Each festival in Kerala is celebrated with immense splendor and enthusiasm. For culture vultures, attending the popular festivals in Kerala is the most exciting thing to do here!
If you are planning to visit Kerala, make sure you include a visit to at least two of these joyous celebrations in Kerala to your itinerary.
Most Famous Festivals In Kerala
Many of these festivals celebrates in Kerala brings together people from different sects, regions, and religions to celebrate important events with utmost fun, enthusiasm, and delight while ensuring religious and communal harmony.
Here is our pick of the most famous festivals of Kerala with pictures that you should plan your trip around!
ALSO SEE – Best Time to Visit Kerala
1. Onam
Onam is the national festival of Kerala celebrated to welcome King Mahabali. It’s one of the most famous festivals in Kerala that the whole state celebrates with endless festive spirit, delicious culinary delights, dance, music, rituals, and boat races.
It is essentially a 10-day long harvest festival celebrated during the Chingam month in the Malayalam calendar (between August and September), wherein the first day also marks the celebration of Vishu, the Malayali New Year in Kerala.
Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala that is celebrated by all communities
It includes feasts of Sadhya, colorful decorations of Pookalam (flower rangoli), the dramatic Kaikottikali Dance, a spectacular Snake Boat Race, and various welcome songs for King Mahabali.
Onam festival location in Kerala: Celebrated all over KeralaOnam festival date: 6 to 15 September, 2024
ALSO SEE – Onam Festival and Legend of Mahabali
2. Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur Pooram is the grandest of all the famous temple festivals in Kerala that offer a glimpse into the rich religious traditions of Kerala. It is a must-see for those who are fascinated by the pomp of Kerala’s culture and traditions. Pooram is called the mother of all festivals in Kerala.
This gala temple festival in Kerala is an annual extravaganza held in Thrissur, Kerala, on Pooram day. It is marked by a procession of vibrantly decorated and caparisoned elephants, dazzling parasols, and traditional percussion music.
Starting from the magnificent Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur, it is the largest Pooram festival in Kerala and the most fabulous display of its culture and heritage.
Thrissur Pooram is a gala temple festival in Kerala which is an annual extravaganza
Thrissur Pooram location in Kerala: Vadakkumnathan Temple, ThrissurThrissur Pooram date: Between April and May
3. Vishu
Vishu celebrates the Malayali New Year in Kerala. Vishukani is the highlight of Vishu Festival in Kerala and it is the is the first thing people see when they wake up on Vishu morning. It is an arrangement of auspicious items like rice, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, arecanut, gold coins, flowers, Kanikonna ( Golden flower tree), a mirror, and an idol of Lord Krishna in a decorated manner. It is believed that the rest of the year will be auspicious if you see Vishukani in the morning.
Vishu celebrates the Malayali New Year in Kerala
Elders of the family give money (Vishu Kaineettam) to younger members as a token of blessings and prosperity which is usually a small pocket money to symbolize prosperity and good luck through generations. Vishu also signifies the beginning of the harvest season in Kerala, making it a time to pray for good crops and agricultural prosperity.
4. Snake Boat Race
Boat races are one of the most enthralling events in Kerala that bring spectators from near and far! Watching local boatmen sail long boats and compete with each other before a thousand cheering onlookers will certainly be one of the most wonderful things you ever see!
Some of the most popular boat races in Kerala that you can attend include the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha, the Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race on the Pulinkunnu River, the Neerattupuram Boat Race near Edathua, and the Aranmula Boat Race in Aranmula.
For one, you should not miss the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, one of the grandest and most famous festivals in Kerala.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race location in Kerala: Punnamada Lake near AlappuzhaNehru Trophy Boat Race date: August 10, 2024
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most famous boat race in Kerala
ALSO SEE – Popular Boat Races In Kerala
5. Theyyam
The 800-year-old Theyyam is one of the most famous festivals in Kerala where you can witness the vivid folk dances and traditional art of Kerala!
Theyyam is a popular ritualistic art form that is used to dramatize the great stories and historic accounts of Kerala. It’s a combination of music, dance, flamboyant costumes (complete with enormous headgear and ornaments), makeup, and mime, all of which create a dazzling spectacle and leave viewers in awe!
Traditional musical instruments like Chenda, Kurumkuzal, Elathalam, and Vee Kuchinda are employed to depict stories of ancient legends and myths. The whole act is performed by 400 different Theyyams, where each has a separate role to play with distinct music and choreography.
The vivid Theyyam dance in Kerala
ALSO SEE – Theyyam in Kerala- A Unique Dance of the Gods
Theyyam locations in Kerala: Temples of Kannur and Kasargod; art centers of Karivalloor, Kurumathoor, Nileswaram, Ezhom, Cherukunnu, and KunnathoorpadiTheyyam date: Between December to April
6. Attukal Pongala
Dedicated to Attukal Devi, Attukal Pongala is yet another popular festival in Kerala that brings together women of all castes and creeds in Kerala.
A large procession of women prepare ‘payasam’ (a sweet rice pudding made of jaggery, coconut, and plantains) and offer it to Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy at the Attukal Temple in Trivandrum. The streets of Trivandrum light up in dazzling colors as swarms of saree-clad women march to the temple to celebrate!
Its rising number of devotees has even landed it in the Guinness World Book of Records as the largest gathering of women for a festival, which explains why it’s one of the most famous festivals in Kerala!
Attukal Pongala is a 10-day religious festival celebrated at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
Attukal Pongala location in Kerala: Attukal Temple, TrivandrumAttukal Pongala date: Between February and March
ALSO SEE – 20 Famous Temples In Kerala
7. Christmas
Courtesy of the strong Christian community, Christmas is one of the biggest festivals in Kerala. It is celebrated with just as much enthusiasm and fervor in Kerala as it is in the West!
Both Christians and non-Christians come together to celebrate Christmas in Kerala with tempting plum cakes, stellar lighting, Christmas trees, midnight masses, presents, and gigantic feasts. Every city decks itself in the most colorful and lit decorations.
Kids singing Christmas carols on Christmas in Kerala
Many Christian homes in Kerala put festive wreaths and stars outside their homes. Even shops and malls flaunt their fair share of decorations! And best of all, Kerala’s churches are a delight to visit during the Christmas week! Kerala is the best place in India to experience the true magic of Christmas since it’s one of the most famous festivals in Kerala.
Christmas location in Kerala: All over KeralaChristmas date: December 25
8. Ambalapuzha Arattu
Ambalapuzha Arattu is yet another one of the famous festivals in Kerala dedicated to Lord Krishna. It lasts for 10 days and includes an exciting series of events spanning over 10 days.
People come to Alappuzha from far and wide to witness the Velakali, a martial arts dance dramatization where men in bright attires wield swords and shields to depict the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas. This is followed by a magnificent procession of caparisoned elephants through the streets with percussion music.
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna
The ninth day of this famous Kerala festival marks the Natakasala Sadhya feast prepared with sweet payasam in honor of Lord Krishna. It is believed that Krishna himself comes down to enjoy this feast with his devotees disguised as one of them!
Ambalapuzha Arattu location in Kerala: Sree Krishnaswamy Temple, AlappuzhaAmbalapuzha Arattu date: March-April
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9. Thiruvananthapuram Arattu
The biannual Arattu festival in Trivandrum too is celebrated with boundless elegance and joy as the one in Ambalapuzha.
Held at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, the Arattu festival is a unique ritual involving a grand procession of the sacred idols of the temple escorted by the erstwhile royal family of Travancore. The idols are taken to Shankumugham Beach and given a holy bath in its waters.
ALSO SEE – Padmanabhaswamy Temple- Dress Code, Entry Fee, Darshan Timings, Photos & Procession
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will halt flight services during Arattu
Out of all the famous festivals in Kerala, this one receives an enormous footfall. Thousands gather in the procession to catch a glimpse of the idols being escorted to the beach and enjoy the delicious offering of sweet ‘palpayasam’!
Thiruvananthapuram Arattu location in Kerala: Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, TrivandrumThiruvananthapuram Arattu date: October-November and March-April
10. Makaravilakku Festival
Makara Vilakku is a 7-day festival commencing on Makar Sankranti to celebrate the consecration of the sacred idol of Dharma Sastha in Sabarimala Temple of Pathanamthitta, Kerala.
It involves a ceremonial procession of the deity’s jewelry from the Pandalam Palace to the temple accompanied by lights, music, and the appearance of the ‘Makarajyothi” star on the horizon! It is attended by thousands of devotees who come all the way here to catch a glimpse of the deity and his ornaments!
Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on Makara Sankranti in Kerala at Sabarimala Temple
The sacred jewelry contains diamond diadems, gold bracelets, necklaces, precious gems, swords, silver arrows, and golden figurines of animals. The procession’s massive attendance and dazzling jewelry have earned it a spot among the famous festivals in Kerala!
Makaravilakku Festival location in Kerala: Sabarimala Temple, Pathanamthitta, KeralaMakaravilakku Festival date: January 20, 2025
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Calendar of Famous Festivals in Kerala
The dates of each of these Kerala festivals change every year as per the Malayalam calendar. You can refer to this ready reckoner with the dates and locations of all the famous Kerala festivals and plan a visit to either of them with ease.
Festival in Kerala
Place of celebration
Date/Month
Type offestival
Swathi Sangitholsavam
East Fort –Thiruvananthapuram Dist
06 to 12Jan 2025
MusicFestival
Avoor Utsavam
Avoor – Kollam Dist
15 to 24Jan 2025
TempleFestival
KanjiramattomNercha
Kanjiramattom –Ernakulam Dist
13 to 14Jan 2025
MuslimFestival
ThaipooyaMahotsavam
Koorkancherry –Thrissur Dist
26 Jan2025
TempleFestival
Neroth Peratoor SriBhagavathy KshethramUtsavam
Neroth Peratoor SriBhagavathy Kshethram
20 to 25Jan 2025
TempleFestival
Arthunkal Perunnal
Arthungal –Alappuzha Dist
10 to 27Jan 2025
ChristianFestival
Adoor Gajamela
Adoor –Pathanamthitta Dist
29 Jan to7 Feb 2025
ElephantProcession
ChettikulangaraBharani
Chettikulangara –Alappuzha Dist
15 to 16Feb 2025
TempleFestival
Machattu Mamangam
Wadakkancherry –Thrissur Dist
30 Jan2025
TempleFestival
PariyanampettaPooram
Kattakulam –Palakkad Dist
20 Feb2024
ElephantProcession
Kuttikol Thampuratty Theyyam
Kuttikkol –Kasaragod Dist
22 to 26Feb 2024
DanceRitual
Uthralikavu Pooram
Wadakkancherry –Thrissur
14 to 20Feb 2025
ElephantProcession
Aluva Shivaratri
Aluva – Ernakulam Dist
26 Feb2025
TempleFestival
Parippally Gajamela
Parippally – Kollam Dist
10 Mar2025
ElephantProcession
Pattambi Nercha
Pattambi – Palakkad Dist
03 Mar2025
MuslimFestival
Chottanikkara
Chottanikara –Ernakulam Dist
12 Mar2025
TempleFestival
Ettumanoor Utsavam
Ettumanur – Kottayam Dist
16 Feb2025
TempleFestival
Konganpada
Chittoor – Palakkad Dist
4 Mar2025
TempleFestival
Jagannath Temple
Thalassery – Kannur Dist
27 Jun2025
TempleFestival
GuruvayoorAnayottam
Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist
21 Feb2025
ElephantProcession
Guruvayoor Utsavam
Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist
14 Jan2025
TempleFestival
ChinakkathoorPooram
Palappuram – Palakkad Dist
24 Feb2025
ElephantProcession
Attukal Pongala
Attukal –Thiruvananthapuram Dist
13 Mar2025
TempleFestival
Thirunakkara Arattu
Thirunakkara –Kottayam Dist
12 Jan2025
TempleFestival
Valliyoorkavu
Valliyoor Kavu –Wayanad Dist
13 Jan to26 Feb 2025
TempleFestival
Ambalapuzha Festival
Ambalapuzha –Alappuzha Dist
25 Feb2025
TempleFestival
Puthoor Festival
Puthoor – Palakkad
14 to 20Feb 2025
TempleFestival
Chamayavilakku
Kottankulangara – Kollam Dist
23 to 24Mar 2025
TempleFestival
Kottakkal Pooram
Kottakkal –Malappuram Dist
Mar 2025
ElephantProcession
MalanadaKettukazhcha
Poruvazhi – Kollam Dist
22 Mar2025
TempleFestival
Attuvela Mahotsavam
Vadayar – Kottaym Dist
09 Apr2025
TempleFestival
Kodungalloor Bharani
Kodungalloor –Thrissur Dist
10 Apr2025
TempleFestival
Nenmara Vallangi Vela
Nenmara – Palakkad Dist
02 Apr2025
TempleFestival
Muchilottu KavuTheyyam
Muchilottu – Kannur Dist
13 to 18Apr 2025
Templefestival
Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram
Angadipuram –Malappuram Dist
11 to 25Apr 2025
TempleFestival
CherthalaKarthiyayani
Cherthala – Alappuzha Dist
Apr 2025
TempleFestival
Othara Patayani
Othara –Pathanamthitta Dist
09 to 18Apr 2025
Ritual
Peruvanam Pooram
Peruvanam – Thrissur Dist
20 Mar2025
ElephantProcession
Arattupuzha Pooram
Arattupuzha – Thrissur Dist
23 Mar2025
ElephantProcession
Palm Sunday
Celebrated all overKerala
25 Apr2025
ChristianFestival
Sree PadmanabhaSwami TemplePainkuni Utsavam
East Fort –Thiruvananthapuram Dist
12 to 21Apr 2025
TempleFestival
KadammanittaPatayani
Kadammanitta –Pathanamthitta Dist
21 Apr2025
Ritual
ChamakkavuKettukazhcha
Mavelikkara – Alappuzha Dist
Apr 2025
TempleFestival
Thirunelli
Thirunelli – Wayanad Dist
14 to 15Apr 2025
TempleFestival
Mathoor VinayakaTemple
Thottakara – Thrissur Dist
14 to 18Apr 2025
TempleFestival
Vishu
Celebrated all overKerala
14 Apr2025
Kerala New Year
Easter
Celebrated all overKerala
31 Mar2025
ChristianFestival
Puthunjayar
Malayattoor –Ernakulam Dist
07 Apr2025
ChristianFestival
Edathuva
Edathuva – Alappuzha Dist
27 Apr2025
ChristianFestival
Palayoor Church
Palayoor – Thrissur Dist
13 to 14July 2025
ChristianFestival
Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur Dist
19 Apr2025
ElephantProcession
Kudal Manickam
Iringalakuda – Thrissur Dist
21 Apr2025
TempleFestival
Thutha Pooram
Thutha – Palakkad
13 May2025
ElephantProcession
Kottiyoor Utsavam
Kottiyoor – Kannur Dist
29 May2025
TempleFestival
ChampakkulamBoat Race
Champakkulam –Alappuzha Dist
22 Jun2025
Boat Race
Njangattiri Aanayoottu
Pattambi – Palakkad Dist
19 Jul2025
Ritual
Nehru TrophyBoat Race
Punnamada –Alappuzha Dist
10 Aug2024
Boat Race
Athachamayam
Thrippunithura –Ernakulam Dist
06 Sep2024
Onam Festival
Thiruvonam
Celebrated all overKerala
15 Sep2024
Onam Festival
Payippad Boat Race
Payippad – Alappuzha Dist
21 Aug2024
Boat Race
Kumarakom Boat Race
Kumarakom – Kottayam Dist
04 Sep2024
Boat Race
Aranmula Boat Race
Aranmula –Pathanamthitta Dist
18 Sep2024
Boat Race
Pulikali
Swaraj Round – Thrissur Dist
11 Sep2024
Onam Festival
Feast ofVallarpadathamma
Vallarpadam Church,Kochi
16 to 24Sep 2024
ChristianFestival
NeelamperoorPatayani
Neelamperoor –Kottayam Dist
Sep 2024
Ritual
Panachikadu Festival
Panachikadu –Kottayam Dist
03 to 10Sep 2024
TempleFestival
Navarathri Festival
East Fort –Thiruvananthapuram Dist
03 Oct2024
TempleFestival
Mullackal Utsavam
Mullackal – Alappuzha Dist
25 to 26Dec 2024
TempleFestival
NavarathriSangitholsavam
Trivandrum
03 to 13Oct 2024
MusicFestival
Urakam
Urakam – Kottayam Dist
03 Apr2025
TempleFestival
Thiruvullakavu
Cherpu – Thrissur Dist
24 Oct2024
TempleFestival
Vettikode Ayilyam
Vettikode – Alappuzha Dist
28 Sep2024
TempleFestival
Attangyeru atThirumandhamkunnu
AngadippuramMalappuram Dist
11 to 25Apr 2025
Ritual
TripunithuraPoornathrayeesa
Tripunithura –Ernakulam Dist
Oct 2024
TempleFestival
Sree PadmanabhaSwami TempleAlpashy Utsavam
East Fort –Thiruvananthapuram Dist
31 Oct2024
TempleFestival
Parumala Perunnal
Parumala –Pathanamthitta Dist
02 Nov2024
ChristianFestival
Vallathol JayanthiVarshikam
Kerala Kalamandalam –Thrissur Dist
Nov 2024
DanceFestival
Mannarasala Ayilyam
Mannarasala –Alappuzha Dist
26 Oct2024
TempleFestival
Kalpathi Ratholsavam
Kalpathi – Palakkkad Dist
14 to 16Nov 2024
TempleFestival
PayyannoorSubramaniya Temple
Payyannoor – Kannur Dist
Nov 2024
TempleFestival
ChembaiSangitholsavam
Guruvayur – Thrissur Dist
21 Apr2025
MusicFestival
VaikathashtamiFestival
Vaikom – Kottayam Dist
24 Nov2024
TempleFestival
Muthappan Thiruvappana
Parassinikadavu,Kannur
Dec 2024
TempleFestival
Guruvayoor Ekadasi
Guruvayoor –Thrissur Dist
11 Dec2024
TempleFestival
KadampuzhaDevi Temple
Kadampuzha –Malappuram Dist
Dec 2024
TempleFestival
Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy
Kottamkuzhy –Kasaragod Dist
8 Dec2024
Theyyam
Mullackal Cherappu
Mullackal – Alappuzha Dist
25 Dec2024
TempleFestival
Christmas
Celebrated all overKerala
25 Dec2024
ChristianFestival
Kanathoor NalvarBhoothasthanam
Kanathoor –Kasaragod Dist
13 to 19Feb 2025
Theyyam
Kochi-MuzirisBiennale
Kochi
Dec 2024onwards
ArtFestival
Cochin Carnival
Kochi
Decemberlast week
Celebration
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In Kerala’s Malayalam calendar, the local traditions and customs determine the festival dates. Some of these dates may vary according to the local customs and rituals associated with each festival. Festivals of Kerala give you a glimpse of the rich heritage of the state. Each of the Kerala festivals is celebrated with much splendour as well as the show. For culture-vulture, the best time to visit God’s Own Country is during Kerala festivals.
Though we have tried to make these dates as exact as possible, please recheck before making a plan to visit these famous Kerala festivals.
Plan your trip around these famous festivals in Kerala to get an insight into its vivid culture, heritage, and history. Immerse yourselves in their diverse experiences and unique traditions and you’ll cherish those joyous moments forever! Happy tripping!
