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.
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.
Watching the Kerala boat race is one of the enthralling Kerala festivals that one should not miss while on a trip to Kerala.
The 800-year-old Theyyam is one of the most popular festivals of Kerala that flaunts folk dances and art.
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 Kri
Here are the photographs of some famous Kerala festivals & celebrations
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.
Kerala Festivals in 2023
| Kerala Festival | Celebrated Place | Date | Type of festival |
| Swathi Sangitholsavam | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | Jan 2023 | Music Festival |
| Avoor Utsavam | Avoor – Kollam Dist | Jan 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Kanjiramattom Nercha | Kanjiramattom – Ernakulam Dist | Jan 2023 | Muslim Festival |
| Thaipooya Mahotsavam | Koorkancherry – Thrissur Dist | Jan 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Neroth Peratoor Sri Bhagavathy Kshethram Utsavam | Neroth Peratoor Sri Bhagavathy Kshethram | Jan 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Arthungal Perunnal | Arthungal – Alappuzha Dist | Jan 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Pattambi Nercha | Pattambi – Palakkad Dist | Mar 2023 | Muslim Festival |
| Adoor Gajamela | Adoor – Pathanamthitta Dist | Feb 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Machattu Mamangam | Wadakkancherry – Thrissur Dist | Feb 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Pariyanampetta Pooram | Kattakulam – Palakkad Dist | Feb 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Kuttikkol Thampuratty Theyyam | Kuttikkol – Kasaragod Dist | Feb 2023 | Theyyam |
| Uthralikavu Pooram | Wadakkancherry – Thrissur | Feb 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Aluva Sivarathri | Aluva – Ernakulam Dist | Feb 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Parippally Gajamela | Parippally – Kollam Dist | Mar 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Chettikulangara Bharani | Chettikulangara – Alappuzha Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Chottanikara | Chottanikara – Ernakulam Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Ettumanur Utsavam | Ettumanur – Kottayam Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Konganpada | Chittoor – Palakkad Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Jaganadha Temple | Thalassery – Kannur Dist | Feb 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Guruvayoor Aanaottam | Guruvayoor – -Thrissur Dist | Feb 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Guruvayoor Utsavam | Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist | Feb 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Chinakkathoor Pooram | Palappuram – Palakkad Dist | Feb 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Attukal Pongala | Attukal – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | Feb 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Thirunakkara Arattu | Thirunakkara – Kottayam Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Valliyoor Kavu | Valliyoor Kavu – Wayanad Dist | Mar 2023 | |
| Ambalapuzha Festival | Ambalapuzha – Alappuzha Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Puthoor Festival | Puthoor – Palakkad | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Chamayavilakku | Kottankulangara – Kollam Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Kottakkal Pooram | Kottakkal – Malappuram Dist | Mar 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Malanada Kettukazhcha | Poruvazhi – Kollam Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Attuvela Mahotsavam | Vadayar – Kottaym Dist | April 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Kodungalloor Bharani | Kodungalloor – Thrissur Dist | Mar 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Nenmara Vallangi Vela | Nenmara – Palakkad Dist | Apr 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Muchilottu Kavu Theyyam | Muchilottu – Kannur Dist | Mar 2023 | Theyyam |
| Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram | Angadipuram – Malappuram Dist | Apr 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Cherthala Karthiyayani Temple | Cherthala – Alappuzha Dist | Apr 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Othara Patayani | Othara – Pathanamthitta Dist | Apr 2023 | Ritual |
| Peruvanam Pooram | Peruvanam – Thrissur Dist | Mar 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Arattupuzha Pooram | Arattupuzha – Thrissur Dist | Mar 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Palm Sunday | Celebrated all over Kerala | Apr 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple Painkuni Utsavam | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | Apr 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Kadammanitta Patayani | Kadammanitta – Pathanamthitta Dist | Apr 2023 | Ritual |
| Chamakkavu Kettukazhcha | Mavelikkara – Alappuzha Dist | Apr 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Thirunelli | Thirunelli – Wayanad Dist | Apr 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Mathoor Vinayaka Temple | Thottakara – Thrissur Dist | Apr 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Vishu | Celebrated all over Kerala | Apr 2023 | Kerala New Year |
| Easter | Celebrated all over Kerala | Apr 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Puthunjayar | Malayattoor – Ernakulam Dist | Apr 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Edathuva | Edathuva – Alappuzha Dist | Apr 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Palayoor Church | Palayoor – Thrissur Dist | May 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Thrissur Pooram | Thrissur Town -Thrissur Dist | May 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Kudal Manickam | Iringalakuda – Thrissur Dist | May 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Thutha Pooram | Thutha – Palakkad | May 2023 | Elephant Pageant |
| Kottiyoor Utsavam | Kottiyoor – Kannur Dist | Jun 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Champakkulam Boat Race | Champakkulam – Alappuzha Dist | Jul 2023 | Boat Race |
| Njangattiri Aanayoottu | Pattambi – Palakkad Dist | Jul 2023 | Ritual |
| Nehru Trophy Boat Race | Punnamada – Alappuzha Dist | Sep 2023 | Boat Race |
| Athachamayam | Thrippunithura – Ernakulam Dist | Aug 2023 | Onam Festival |
| Thiruvonam | Celebrated all over Kerala | Sep 2023 | Onam Festival |
| Payippad Boat Race | Payippad – Alappuzha Dist | Sep 2023 | Boat Race |
| Kumarakom Boat Race | Kumarakom – Kottayam Dist | Sep 2023 | Boat Race |
| Aranmula Boat Race | Aranmula – Pathanamthitta Dist | Sep 2023 | Boat Race |
| Pulikali | Swaraj Round – Thrissur Dist | Sep 2023 | Onam Festival |
| Feast of Vallarpadathamma | Vallarpadam Church, Kochi | 16 to 24 Sep 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Neelamperoor Patayani | Neelamperoor – Kottayam Dist | Sep 2023 | Ritual |
| Panachikadu Festival | Panachikadu – Kottayam Dist | Sep 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Navarathri Festival | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | Sep 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Mullackal Utsavam | Mullackal – Alappuzha Dist | Sep 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Navarathri Sangitholsavam | Thiruvananthapuram | Sep 2023 | Music Festival |
| Urakam | Urakam – Kottayam Dist | Oct 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Thiruvullakavu | Cherpu – Thrissur Dist | Oct 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Vettikode Ayilyam | Vettikode – Alappuzha Dist | Oct 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Attangyeru at Thirumandhamkunnu | Angadippuram Malappuram Dist | Oct 2023 | Ritual |
| Thripoonithura Poornathrayesha Temple | Thripoonithura – Ernakulam Dist | Oct 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple Alpashy Utsavam | East Fort – Thiruvananthapuram Dist | Oct 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Parumala Perunnal | Parumala – Pathanamthitta Dist | Nov 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Vallathol Jayanthi Varshikam, Kalamandalam | Kerala Kalamandalam – Thrissur Dist | Nov 2023 | Dance Festival |
| Mannarasala Ayilyam | Mannarasala – Alappuzha Dist | Oct 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Kalpathi Ratholsavam | Kalpathi – Palakkkad Dist | 14 to 16 Nov 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Payyannoor Subramaniya Swami Temple | Payyannoor – Kannur Dist | Nov 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Chembai Sangitholsavam | Guruvayur – Thrissur Dist | Nov 2023 | Music Festival |
| Vaikathashtami Festival | Vaikom – Kottayam Dist | Nov 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Parassinikadavu , Kannur | Parassinikadavu, Kannur | Dec 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Guruvayoor Ekadasi | Guruvayoor – Thrissur Dist | Dec 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Kadampuzha Devi Temple | Kadampuzha – Malappuram Dist | Dec 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy | Kottamkuzhy – Kasaragod Dist | Dec 2023 | Theyyam |
| Mullackal Cherappu | Mullackal – Alappuzha Dist | Dec 2023 | Temple Festival |
| Christmas | Celebrated all over Kerala | Dec 2023 | Christian Festival |
| Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasthanam | Kanathoor – Kasaragod Dist | Dec 2023 | Theyyam |
| Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2020 | Kochi | December 2023, 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 with us and attend these festivals of Kerala to get a better understanding of the culture of God’s own country.
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