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. 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. 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.
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Here are the photographs of some famous Kerala festivals & celebrations
Watching the Kerala boat race is one of the enthralling Kerala festivals that one should not miss while on a trip to Kerala.
ALSO SEE-The Ultimate Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2026 Pocket Guide
Onam is the national festival of Kerala celebrated for the coming of King Mahabali. Around this Kerala festival, the whole state gets drenched in the festive spirit, marked with delicious dishes, dance, music, rituals, and boat races.
ALSO SEE – Onam Festival-Celebrations :The Legend Of Mahabali!
The 800-year-old Theyyam is one of the most popular festivals of Kerala that flaunts folk dances and art.
ALSO SEE – Theyyam in Kerala -A Unique Dance of Gods
The temple festival of Kerala gives a glimpse of the religious tradition of Kerala and is a must-see for those who are fascinated by the pomp of Kerala’s culture and traditions. Thrissur Pooram is the biggest and most gala temple Kerala festival that one cannot afford to miss.
Vishu marks the beginning of the Malayali year and is the most important Kerala festival.
Another popular festival of Kerala is Attukal Pongala that is dedicated to Attukal Devi and brings together women of all caste, religions, and colours.
Owing to the strong Christian community, Christmas is one of the biggest festivals in Kerala.
Ambalapuzha Arattu is another famous Kerala festival that lasts for 10 days dedicated to Lord Krishna
However, the dates of each of these Kerala festivals change every year as per the Malayalam calendar and we have created a ready reckoner for you to refer to if you are planning to visit Kerala in 2020.
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Kerala Festivals in 2024
Jaganadha TempleThalassery – Kannur DistFeb 2024Temple Festival
| Kerala Festival | Celebrated Place | Date | Type of festival |
| Swathi Sangitholsavam | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | 04 to 13 Jan 2026 |
Music Festival |
| Avoor Utsavam | Avoor – Kollam Dist | 15 to 24 Jan 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Kanjiramattom Nercha | Kanjiramattom – Ernakulam Dist | 13 to 14 Jan 2026 |
Muslim Festival |
| Thaipooya Mahotsavam | Koorkancherry – Thrissur Dist | 31 Jan 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Neroth Peratoor Sri Bhagavathy Kshethram Utsavam | Neroth Peratoor Sri Bhagavathy Kshethram | 24 to 27 Jan 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Arthungal Perunnal | Arthungal – Alappuzha Dist | 10 to 27 Jan 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Adoor Gajamela | Adoor – Pathanamthitta Dist | 19 to 28 Jan 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Chettikulangara Bharani | Chettikulangara – Alappuzha Dist | 23 Feb 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Aluva Sivarathri | Aluva – Ernakulam Dist | 15 Feb 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Machattu Mamangam | Wadakkancherry – Thrissur Dist | 17 Feb 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Ettumanur Utsavam | Ettumanur – Kottayam Dist | 18 Feb 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Pariyanampetta Pooram | Kattakulam – Palakkad Dist | 19 Feb 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Kuttikkol Thampuratty Theyyam | Kuttikkol – Kasaragod Dist | 23 to 27 Feb 2026 |
Theyyam |
| Uthralikavu Pooram | Wadakkancherry – Thrissur | 24 Feb 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Guruvayoor Aanaottam | Guruvayoor – -Thrissur Dist | 28 Feb 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Chinakkathoor Pooram | Palappuram – Palakkad Dist | 02 to 03 March 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Konganpada | Chittoor – Palakkad Dist | 03 March 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Attukal Pongala | Attukal – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | 03 March 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Parippally Gajamela | Parippally – Kollam Dist | 04 Mar 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Chottanikara Utsavam | Chottanikara – Ernakulam Dist | 05 March 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Guruvayoor Utsavam | Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist | 09 Mar 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Ambalapuzha Festival | Ambalapuzha – Alappuzha Dist | 06 to 15 Mar 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Urakam | Urakam – Kottayam Dist | 15 Mar 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Attuvela Mahotsavam | Vadayar – Kottaym Dist | 20 Mar 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Kodungalloor Bharani | Kodungalloor – Thrissur Dist | 22 March 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Thirunakkara Arattu | Thirunakkara – Kottayam Dist | 24 Mar 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Valliyoor Kavu | Valliyoor Kavu – Wayanad Dist | 15 to 28 Mar 2026 |
|
| Puthoor Festival | Puthoor – Palakkad | Mar 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Chamayavilakku | Kottankulangara – Kollam Dist | 24 to 25 Mar 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Othara Patayani | Othara – Pathanamthitta Dist | 17 to 26 Mar 2026 |
Ritual |
| Kottakkal Pooram | Kottakkal – Malappuram Dist | Mar 2026 | Elephant Pageant |
| Malanada Kettukazhcha | Poruvazhi – Kollam Dist | 27 Mar 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Pattambi Nercha | Pattambi-Palakkad Dist | 27 to 29 Mar 2026 |
Muslim Festival |
| Peruvanam Pooram | Peruvanam – Thrissur Dist | 27 Mar 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Arattupuzha Pooram | Arattupuzha – Thrissur Dist | 30 Mar 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Palm Sunday | Celebrated all over Kerala | 29 Mar 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Nenmara Vallangi Vela | Nenmara – Palakkad Dist | 03 Apr 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Muchilottu Kavu Theyyam | Muchilottu – Kannur Dist | Apr 2026 | Theyyam |
| Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram | Angadipuram – Malappuram Dist | 04 Apr 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Easter | Celebrated all over Kerala | 05 Apr 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Cherthala Karthiyayani Temple | Cherthala – Alappuzha Dist | Apr 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple Painkuni Utsavam | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | Apr 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Thiruvullakavu | Cherpu – Thrissur Dist | Apr-May 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Kadammanitta Patayani | Kadammanitta – Pathanamthitta Dist | 14 to 21 Apr 2026 |
Ritual |
| Chamakkavu Kettukazhcha | Mavelikkara – Alappuzha Dist | Apr 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Puthunjayar | Malayattoor – Ernakulam Dist | 12 Apr 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Thirunelli | Thirunelli – Wayanad Dist | 14 to 15 Apr 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Mathoor Vinayaka Temple | Thottakara – Thrissur Dist | 14 to 18 Apr 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Vishu | Celebrated all over Kerala | 15 Apr 2026 |
Kerala New Year |
| Kudal Manickam | Iringalakuda – Thrissur Dist | 21 Apr 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Thrissur Pooram | Thrissur Town -Thrissur Dist | 26 Apr 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Edathuva | Edathuva – Alappuzha Dist | 27 Apr 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Thutha Pooram | Thutha – Palakkad | 12 May 2026 |
Elephant Pageant |
| Kottiyoor Utsavam | Kottiyoor – Kannur Dist | 23 May 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Champakkulam Boat Race | Champakkulam – Alappuzha Dist | 07 to 10 Jul 2026 |
Boat Race |
| Palayoor Church | Palayoor – Thrissur Dist | 13 to 14 Jul 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Athachamayam | Thrippunithura – Ernakulam Dist | 16 Aug 2026 |
Onam Festival |
| Njangattiri Aanayoottu | Pattambi – Palakkad Dist | 17 Jul 2026 |
Ritual |
| Nehru Trophy Boat Race | Punnamada – Alappuzha Dist | 22 Aug 2026 |
Boat Race |
| Thiruvonam | Celebrated all over Kerala | 16 to 25 Aug 2026 |
Onam Festival |
| Payippad Boat Race | Payippad – Alappuzha Dist | 28 to 30 Aug 2026 |
Boat Race |
| Kumarakom Boat Race | Kumarakom – Kottayam Dist | Aug 2026 | Boat Race |
| Aranmula Boat Race | Aranmula – Pathanamthitta Dist | 30 Aug 2026 |
Boat Race |
| Pulikali | Swaraj Round – Thrissur Dist | 29 Aug 2026 |
Onam Festival |
| Neelamperoor Patayani | Neelamperoor – Kottayam Dist | 11 Sep 2026 |
Ritual |
| Feast of Vallarpadathamma | Vallarpadam Church, Kochi | 16 to 24 Sep 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Panachikadu Festival | Panachikadu – Kottayam Dist | 11 to 21 Oct 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Navarathri Festival | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | 11 to 21 Oct 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Navarathri Sangitholsavam | Thiruvananthapuram | 11 to 21 Oct 2026 |
Music Festival |
| Vettikode Ayilyam | Vettikode – Alappuzha Dist | Oct 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Attangyeru at Thirumandhamkunnu | Angadippuram Malappuram Dist | 17 Oct 2026 |
Ritual |
| Thripoonithura Poornathrayesha Temple | Thripoonithura – Ernakulam Dist | Oct 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple Alpashy Utsavam | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | 21 Oct 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Parumala Perunnal | Parumala – Pathanamthitta Dist | 02 Nov 2026 | Christian Festival |
| Vallathol Jayanthi Varshikam, Kalamandalam | Kerala Kalamandalam – Thrissur Dist | Nov 2026 | Dance Festival |
| Mannarasala Ayilyam | Mannarasala – Alappuzha Dist | 02 Nov 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Kalpathi Ratholsavam | Kalpathi – Palakkkad Dist | 14 to 16 Nov 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Payyannoor Subramaniya Swami Temple | Payyannoor – Kannur Dist | Nov 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Chembai Sangitholsavam | Guruvayur – Thrissur Dist | Nov- Dec 2026 | Music Festival |
| Guruvayoor Ekadasi | Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist | 21 Nov 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Parassinikadavu , Kannur | Parassinikadavu, Kannur | 01 to 02 Dec 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Vaikathashtami Festival | Vaikom – Kottayam Dist | 01 Dec 2026 |
Temple Festival |
| Mullackal Utsavam | Mullackal – Alappuzha Dist | Dec 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Kadampuzha Devi Temple | Kadampuzha – Malappuram Dist | Dec 2026 | Temple Festival |
| Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy | Kottamkuzhy – Kasaragod Dist | Mid-Dec 2026 | Theyyam |
| Christmas | Celebrated all over Kerala | 25 Dec 2026 |
Christian Festival |
| Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasthanam | Kanathoor – Kasaragod Dist | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | Theyyam |
| Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2027 | Kochi | December 2026, onwards | Art Festival |
| Cochin Carnival | Kochi | Last week of December | Celebration |
In Kerala, Malayalam calendar, the local traditions and customs determine the festival dates. Some of these dates will change according to the local customs and rituals associated with each festival. Even though we have tried to make these dates as exact as possible, please recheck the dates again before making a plan to visit these Kerala festivals.
Plan your trip to Kerala and attend these festivals of Kerala to get a better understanding of the culture of God’s own country.
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