🎋 10 Most Famous Festivals In Kerala To Attend This Year

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!

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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.

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 Kerala
Onam 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 location in Kerala: Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur
Thrissur 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.

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 Alappuzha
Nehru Trophy Boat Race date: August 10, 2024

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.

 

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 Kunnathoorpadi
Theyyam 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 location in Kerala: Attukal Temple, Trivandrum
Attukal Pongala date: Between February and March

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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.

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 Kerala
Christmas 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.

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, Alappuzha
Ambalapuzha 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.

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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, Trivandrum
Thiruvananthapuram 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!

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, Kerala
Makaravilakku Festival date: January 20, 2025

ALSO SEE – Top 10 Pathanamthitta Tourist Places

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 of festival
Swathi Sangitholsavam	East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist	06 to 12 Jan 2025	Music Festival
Avoor Utsavam	Avoor – Kollam Dist	15 to 24 Jan 2025	Temple Festival
Kanjiramattom Nercha	Kanjiramattom – Ernakulam Dist	13 to 14 Jan 2025	Muslim Festival
Thaipooya Mahotsavam	Koorkancherry – Thrissur Dist	26 Jan 2025	Temple Festival
Neroth Peratoor Sri Bhagavathy Kshethram Utsavam	Neroth Peratoor Sri Bhagavathy Kshethram	20 to 25 Jan 2025	Temple Festival
Arthunkal Perunnal	Arthungal – Alappuzha Dist	10 to 27 Jan 2025	Christian Festival
Adoor Gajamela	Adoor – Pathanamthitta Dist	29 Jan to 7 Feb 2025	Elephant Procession
Chettikulangara Bharani	Chettikulangara – Alappuzha Dist	15 to 16 Feb 2025	Temple Festival
Machattu Mamangam	Wadakkancherry – Thrissur Dist	30 Jan 2025	Temple Festival
Pariyanampetta Pooram	Kattakulam – Palakkad Dist	20 Feb 2024	Elephant Procession
Kuttikol Thampuratty Theyyam	Kuttikkol – Kasaragod Dist	22 to 26 Feb 2024	Dance Ritual
Uthralikavu Pooram	Wadakkancherry – Thrissur	14 to 20 Feb 2025	Elephant Procession
Aluva Shivaratri	Aluva – Ernakulam Dist	26 Feb 2025	Temple Festival
Parippally Gajamela	Parippally – Kollam Dist	10 Mar 2025	Elephant Procession
Pattambi Nercha	Pattambi – Palakkad Dist	03 Mar 2025	Muslim Festival
Chottanikkara	Chottanikara – Ernakulam Dist	12 Mar 2025	Temple Festival
Ettumanoor Utsavam	Ettumanur – Kottayam Dist	16 Feb 2025	Temple Festival
Konganpada	Chittoor – Palakkad Dist	4 Mar 2025	Temple Festival
Jagannath Temple	Thalassery – Kannur Dist	27 Jun 2025	Temple Festival
Guruvayoor Anayottam	Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist	21 Feb 2025	Elephant Procession
Guruvayoor Utsavam	Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist	14 Jan 2025	Temple Festival
Chinakkathoor Pooram	Palappuram – Palakkad Dist	24 Feb 2025	Elephant Procession
Attukal Pongala	Attukal – Thiruvananthapuram Dist	13 Mar 2025	Temple Festival
Thirunakkara Arattu	Thirunakkara – Kottayam Dist	12 Jan 2025	Temple Festival
Valliyoorkavu	Valliyoor Kavu – Wayanad Dist	13 Jan to 26 Feb 2025	Temple Festival
Ambalapuzha Festival	Ambalapuzha – Alappuzha Dist	25 Feb 2025	Temple Festival
Puthoor Festival	Puthoor – Palakkad	14 to 20 Feb 2025	Temple Festival
Chamayavilakku	Kottankulangara – Kollam Dist	23 to 24 Mar 2025	Temple Festival
Kottakkal Pooram	Kottakkal – Malappuram Dist	Mar 2025	Elephant Procession
Malanada Kettukazhcha	Poruvazhi – Kollam Dist	22 Mar 2025	Temple Festival
Attuvela Mahotsavam	Vadayar – Kottaym Dist	09 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Kodungalloor Bharani	Kodungalloor – Thrissur Dist	10 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Nenmara Vallangi Vela	Nenmara – Palakkad Dist	02 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Muchilottu Kavu Theyyam	Muchilottu – Kannur Dist	13 to 18 Apr 2025	Temple festival
Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram	Angadipuram – Malappuram Dist	11 to 25 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Cherthala Karthiyayani	Cherthala – Alappuzha Dist	Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Othara Patayani	Othara – Pathanamthitta Dist	09 to 18 Apr 2025	Ritual
Peruvanam Pooram	Peruvanam – Thrissur Dist	20 Mar 2025	Elephant Procession
Arattupuzha Pooram	Arattupuzha – Thrissur Dist	23 Mar 2025	Elephant Procession
Palm Sunday	Celebrated all over Kerala	25 Apr 2025	Christian Festival
Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple Painkuni Utsavam	East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist	12 to 21 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Kadammanitta Patayani	Kadammanitta – Pathanamthitta Dist	21 Apr 2025	Ritual
Chamakkavu Kettukazhcha	Mavelikkara – Alappuzha Dist	Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Thirunelli	Thirunelli – Wayanad Dist	14 to 15 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Mathoor Vinayaka Temple	Thottakara – Thrissur Dist	14 to 18 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Vishu	Celebrated all over Kerala	14 Apr 2025	Kerala New Year
Easter	Celebrated all over Kerala	31 Mar 2025	Christian Festival
Puthunjayar	Malayattoor – Ernakulam Dist	07 Apr 2025	Christian Festival
Edathuva	Edathuva – Alappuzha Dist	27 Apr 2025	Christian Festival
Palayoor Church	Palayoor – Thrissur Dist	13 to 14 July 2025	Christian Festival
Thrissur Pooram	Thrissur Dist	19 Apr 2025	Elephant Procession
Kudal Manickam	Iringalakuda – Thrissur Dist	21 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Thutha Pooram	Thutha – Palakkad	13 May 2025	Elephant Procession
Kottiyoor Utsavam	Kottiyoor – Kannur Dist	29 May 2025	Temple Festival
Champakkulam Boat Race	Champakkulam – Alappuzha Dist	22 Jun 2025	Boat Race
Njangattiri Aanayoottu	Pattambi – Palakkad Dist	19 Jul 2025	Ritual
Nehru Trophy Boat Race	Punnamada – Alappuzha Dist	10 Aug 2024	Boat Race
Athachamayam	Thrippunithura – Ernakulam Dist	06 Sep 2024	Onam Festival
Thiruvonam	Celebrated all over Kerala	15 Sep 2024	Onam Festival
Payippad Boat Race	Payippad – Alappuzha Dist	21 Aug 2024	Boat Race
Kumarakom Boat Race	Kumarakom – Kottayam Dist	04 Sep 2024	Boat Race
Aranmula Boat Race	Aranmula – Pathanamthitta Dist	18 Sep 2024	Boat Race
Pulikali	Swaraj Round – Thrissur Dist	11 Sep 2024	Onam Festival
Feast of Vallarpadathamma	Vallarpadam Church, Kochi	16 to 24 Sep 2024	Christian Festival
Neelamperoor Patayani	Neelamperoor – Kottayam Dist	Sep 2024	Ritual
Panachikadu Festival	Panachikadu – Kottayam Dist	03 to 10 Sep 2024	Temple Festival
Navarathri Festival	East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist	03 Oct 2024	Temple Festival
Mullackal Utsavam	Mullackal – Alappuzha Dist	25 to 26 Dec 2024	Temple Festival
Navarathri Sangitholsavam	Trivandrum	03 to 13 Oct 2024	Music Festival
Urakam	Urakam – Kottayam Dist	03 Apr 2025	Temple Festival
Thiruvullakavu	Cherpu – Thrissur Dist	24 Oct 2024	Temple Festival
Vettikode Ayilyam	Vettikode – Alappuzha Dist	28 Sep 2024	Temple Festival
Attangyeru at Thirumandhamkunnu	Angadippuram Malappuram Dist	11 to 25 Apr 2025	Ritual
Tripunithura Poornathrayeesa	Tripunithura – Ernakulam Dist	Oct 2024	Temple Festival
Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple Alpashy Utsavam	East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist	31 Oct 2024	Temple Festival
Parumala Perunnal	Parumala – Pathanamthitta Dist	02 Nov 2024	Christian Festival
Vallathol Jayanthi Varshikam	Kerala Kalamandalam – Thrissur Dist	Nov 2024	Dance Festival
Mannarasala Ayilyam	Mannarasala – Alappuzha Dist	26 Oct 2024	Temple Festival
Kalpathi Ratholsavam	Kalpathi – Palakkkad Dist	14 to 16 Nov 2024	Temple Festival
Payyannoor Subramaniya Temple	Payyannoor – Kannur Dist	Nov 2024	Temple Festival
Chembai Sangitholsavam	Guruvayur – Thrissur Dist	21 Apr 2025	Music Festival
Vaikathashtami Festival	Vaikom – Kottayam Dist	24 Nov 2024	Temple Festival
Muthappan Thiruvappana	Parassinikadavu, Kannur	Dec 2024	Temple Festival
Guruvayoor Ekadasi	Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist	11 Dec 2024	Temple Festival
Kadampuzha Devi Temple	Kadampuzha – Malappuram Dist	Dec 2024	Temple Festival
Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy	Kottamkuzhy – Kasaragod Dist	8 Dec 2024	Theyyam
Mullackal Cherappu	Mullackal – Alappuzha Dist	25 Dec 2024	Temple Festival
Christmas	Celebrated all over Kerala	25 Dec 2024	Christian Festival
Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasthanam	Kanathoor – Kasaragod Dist	13 to 19 Feb 2025	Theyyam
Kochi-Muziris Biennale	Kochi	Dec 2024 onwards	Art Festival
Cochin Carnival	Kochi	December last 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!