Popular Festivals of Kerala

Kerala, also known as ‘God’s Own Country‘, is famous for its rich traditions, diverse cultures, and vibrant festivals. Situated along the southwestern coast of India, Kerala is renowned for its stunning landscapes, backwaters, and colorful festivals that reflect the region’s history, culture, and spirituality.

However, the dates of these festivals vary each year according to the Malayalam calendar. Each festival holds its own significance and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by people of all castes and religions. From the rhythmic beats of traditional drums during Onam to the spirited performances at the Thrissur Pooram, the festivals in Kerala offer a captivating spectacle, providing a glimpse into the state’s timeless cultural heritage and leaving both locals and tourists mesmerized.

During the celebrations, people clean and decorate their homes, exchange gifts, wear new clothes, relish elaborate meals, offer prayers to their deities, and partake in processions, which are great shows of rhythm and culture. Elephants also play an important role in Kerala’s festivals.

Table of Contents

Here are the most popular fairs and festivals of Kerala given below.

Onam Festival

Date: 4th to 17th September 2024

Onam is the most significant festival in Kerala and is celebrated during the Malayali month of Chingam, which falls between August and September in the English calendar. This harvest festival is celebrated over 10 days with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout Kerala. Onam is a platform to exhibit the richness of Kerala’s culture and traditions.

According to legend, this festival is held in honor of King Mahabali, whose spirit is believed to visit Kerala during these 10 days. Snake Boat racing, decoration of Pookalam, Ambrosial Onasadya, and Kaikottikali Dance are the key highlights of the Onam festivals.

Vishu Festival

Date: 14th April 2025

Various regions of India have a unique way of celebrating the regional New Year. Kerala is no exception, as the people of this state celebrate Vishu with great pomp and show. This festival is celebrated with full zeal and passion on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May). This festival is a celebration of the astronomical New Year by the Hindus in Kerala.

It is believed that the events of the first day of Vishu have a great influence on the fortunes of the subsequent year. The important ceremony of Kani Kanal includes new white cloth, gold ornaments, cadjan leaf book, flowers of the Konna tree, some rice, halved coconut, halved jackfruit, yellow cucumber, and 2 standing lighted oil lamps.

Thrissur Pooram

Venu: Vadakkunnathan Temple, Kerala
Date: 7th May 2025

Thrissur Pooram is considered as the “Mother of all Poorams” and is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May in the English calendar). It is not just a simple temple festival but is renowned as the “Festival of Festivals” in Kerala. Lasting for over 36 hours, it is one of the most spectacular festivals.

The highlight of this festival is the procession, which features 101 adorned elephants that first assemble at the Vadakkumnathan Temple. The procession also includes magnificent fireworks and the Panchavadyam, an ensemble of 5 musical instruments that, when played together, create enchanting music. This cultural spectacle attracts tourists and devotees alike. The festivities symbolize the religious harmony of the region, as people of all faiths participate and enjoy the celebrations.

Thiruvathira

Thiruvathira is a sacred and religious festival primarily celebrated by women during asterism (Thiruvathira Nakshatram day) in the Malayalam month of Dhanu Masam, which falls between December and January as per the English calendar. On this day, women worship Lord Shiva and seek blessings for a happy married life. The main aim of this festival is to promote happiness and harmony. The famous Thiruvathirakkali dance, which is attractively performed by women, is another feature of Thiruvathira.

Attukal Pongala Festival

Venu: Attukal Bhagavathy temple, Kerala

Every year, the 10-day Pongala festival is held at Attukal Bhagavathy temple, located around 2 km from Trivandrum. This festival is attended by thousands of female devotees, and men are not allowed in the vicinity of the temple. The festival takes place in the month of Kumbham (Malayalam Calendar), which falls between February and March in the English calendar.

During the festival, devotees, especially women, come together to offer “pongala” a sweet dish, to the goddess. This creates a sea of devotees in the region. Believers think that offering pongala recharges the body, mind, and soul of the devotee, leaving them spiritually and mentally prepared to face future challenges.

Other Events and Festivals of Kerala

Vaishaka Mahotsavam

Venue: Kottiyoor temple, Kannur District
Date: 20th May 2024

The Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam is a 28-day event held in a deep forest next to a roaring river in Kannur’s hills. It is hosted by two temples: Akkara Kottiyoor and Ikkara Kottiyoor, and is one of Northern Kerala’s most popular festivities, taking place on the banks of the River Baveli. The venue is the Akkara Kottiyoor Temple, which is only open on festival days each year. The event kicks off with the transport of a sword from Muthirerikavu to Wayanad. Another fascinating spectacle is the Rohini Aaradhana, during which the priest embraces the swayambhoo Shiva linga as part of the rite.

Ochira Kali

Venue: Ochira Parabrahma Temple, Kollam District
Date: 15th to 16th June 2024

The main attraction of this festival is a mock battle reenacting the historical rivalry between the former Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha kingdoms. The battle takes place in a swampy area called Padanilam and involves two groups of boys and men. Instead of using swords, they use sticks, and they playfully splash muddy water at each other. The battle is accompanied by the beating of drums.

Champakulam Boat Race

Venue: Champakulam, Alappuzha
Date: 22nd June 2024

It is the state’s oldest snake boat race and marks the beginning of the boat racing season each year. This event takes place on the Pampa River in Champakulam, a village in the Alappuzha district. It draws tremendous crowds.

Palayur Church Festival

Venue: St. Thomas Church, Thrissur District
Date: 13th to 14th July 2024

The St. Thomas Church in Palayur is believed to be one of seven churches founded by St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ. Thousands of people attend the church’s yearly festival, which lasts two days. The celebration is similar to Hindu festivities conducted in and around Thrissur, as it has lively pageants, an orchestra, and fireworks.

Aanayoottu at Vadakkumnathan Temple

Venue: Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur District
Date: 16th July 2024

Elephants are brought inside the Vadakkumnathan Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and lined up in a single row. Thousands of people would face them, enduring the occasional showers and excitedly awaiting their time to feed the elephants. The elephants’ unique diet consists primarily of sugarcane, rice, ghee, coconut, jaggery, and Ayurvedic medicines to improve their overall health. The event is also based on the notion that worshiping elephants and feeding them good and nutritious food is a method to honor Lord Ganesha, who removes barriers in one’s life.

Njangattiri Aanayoottu

Venue: Njangattiri Bhagavathi Temple, Palakkaad District
Date: 19th July 2024

Elephants, too, benefit from the Ayurvedic rejuvenation traditions. During this celebration, elephants are lined up in a row on the temple grounds and served tasty and healthy food produced according to Ayurvedic principles. People flock to the temple grounds to feed the elephants because it is auspicious.

Malabar River Festival

Venue: Iruvanjhipuzha & Chalipuzha Rivers at Thusharagiri, Kozhikode
Date: 25th to 28th July 2024

The Malabar River Festival is a kayaking championship held in Kozhikode district, Kerala. It is an extreme adventure competition organized by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society and the District Tourism Promotion Council. The event will take place from July 25 to 28, 2024, in the Iruvanjhipuzha and Chalipuzha Rivers in Thusharagiri, Kozhikode district.

Kayakers from over 15 countries will participate in the competition, which will feature categories such as extreme race, boater cross, and giant slalom, catering to both intermediate and professional kayakers. Winners in several categories will receive a cash prize of one million Indian rupees.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali

Venue: All over Kerala
Date: 4th August 2024

It is celebrated across Kerala. The Vavu Bali is a Hindu ritual that pleases ancestors. People execute specific rituals at home and in temples. Vavu Bali is celebrated as a mass event in select places of Kerala, the most significant of which take place on the banks of the Periyar at the Shiva temple in Aluva and on the Papanasam beach in Varkala.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Venue: Punnamada Lake, Alleppey
Date: 10th August 2024

It is one of Kerala’s premier snake boat races, and it is always a popular event during the Onam festival (the second Saturday in August). This magnificent race features giant 100-foot-long chundan vallam (snake boats) competing against one another to the music of traditional boat songs, accompanied by ceremonial water processions and stunning water floats.

Payippad Boat Race

Venue: Payippad Backwaters, Alleppey
Date: 21st August 2024

Payippad Boat Race is the most anticipated of the various boat races that grace the waters of God’s nation. This festival takes place on the Payippad River in Alleppey and commemorates the installation of the idol at the Subramanya Swamy Temple. According to folklore, the residents of a secluded village were once advised to approach a whirlpool in a vision. When they arrived at Kayamkulam Lake, they spotted a lovely idol of Sree Subramanya, the Hindu deity. It is a truly delightful and exciting event, with the biggest number of boat races in the entire state.

Manarcad Perunnal or Ettunoyambu

Venue: St. Mary’s Church- Manarcaud, Kottayam
Date: 1st to 8th September 2024

The yearly feast of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Manarcaud in Kottayam is marked by eight days of devotion and festivities. Thousands of devotees gathered on church grounds from morning to night to demonstrate their faithfulness and fasting. The event culminates in a procession carrying the sacred golden cross, known as “Rassa,” on the last three days. Devotees holding muthukkuda (decorated parasols) join in the parade. It is also known as ettunoyambu (in Malayalam, ettu means eight, and noyambu means rapid).

Athachamayam

Venue: Thripunithura, Ernakulam
Date: 6th September 2024

Athachamayam is a cultural fiesta that offers a rare opportunity to see almost all of Kerala’s traditional art forms. It is a grand celebration which marks the beginning of the ten-day Onam Festival. The district’s Onam celebrations begin with the ceremonial march of athachamayam. Thripunithura is renowned as the Land of Maharajas.

Athachamayam was a successful march by the Maharaja of Kochi from Thripunithura to the Vamana temple at Thrikkakara. The procession features folk art forms such as Theyyam, Kummatti, Kolkali, Mayilattom, Karakattom, Kummi, Poykal, Ammankudam, Pulikali, Kathakali, Aatakavadi, Panjavadyam, Chendamelam, and more. Athagosham is widely accepted, as seen by floats depicting eternal moments from epics such as Mahabharatha and Ramayana, as well as the Bible and current societal issues. The parade was adorned with ancient myths and legends depicting gods and goddesses. There are also other competitions and various entertainment activities that take place.

Pulikali

Venue: Swaraj Ground, Thrissur
Date: 15th September 2024

Pulikali also known as Kaduvakali, is a street performance done primarily in Thrissur on the afternoon of the Fourth Onam Day. It is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam. Pulikali is a folk art performed on the fourth day of Kerala’s Onam festival, and the carnival takes place at Swaraj Ground in Thrissur.

The painters paint their bodies with oil paints (very difficult to remove) to resemble tigers with stripes of yellow, red, and black, portraying the roles of tiger and hunter. They dance to the beat of traditional beating instruments including thakil, udukku, and chenda, and a crowd gathered to watch this great occasion.

Aranmula Boat Race

Venue: River Pampa, Aranmula, Pathanamthitta
Date: 18th September 2024

The Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali, also known as the Aranmula Boat Race, is one of the oldest and most respected boat races in Kerala. It takes place on the day of the Uthrittathi asterism in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which corresponds to the period between 15 August and 20 September. The event is renowned for its grandeur and unique historical significance.

Aranmula is a heritage village situated on the banks of the Pampa River in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. According to legend, a devout Brahmin had pledged to provide all the necessities for the Thiruvona Sadya (a feast held on the Thiruvonam asterism) to be delivered to the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple using a boat called the Thiruvona Thoni. However, the boat was attacked by enemy factions during its journey. Snake boats from the surrounding area came to its rescue, giving rise to the tradition of the special snake boat race in the region. The snake boat race itself is considered an offering to Lord Krishna of the Sree Parthasarathy Temple.

The snake boats used in this race are known as Palliyodams. The design of these boats is attributed to Lord Krishna, the chief deity at the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple. According to lore, Lord Krishna appeared on the shores of Aranmula on a raft made of six bamboos, hence giving the village its name – Aranmula, meaning “Six Bamboos”.

Ayilyam Festival at Vettikode

Venue: Sree Nagaraja Swami Temple – Vettikode, Alleppey
Date: 28th September 2024

The Sree Nagaraja Swami Temple in Vettikode, Alappuzha district, hosts an annual celebration dedicated to serpent gods. Festivities start a week before the Ayilyam asterism, with unique ceremonies leading up to a ceremonial march from the temple to Meppallil Illam, a historic Brahmin residence. Each evening, a ritual called Sarpabali is performed to honor the serpent gods. The festival concludes with daily ceremonies.

Navarathri Sangeetholsavam

Venue: Navarathri Mandapam – East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram
Date: 3rd to 13th October 2024

To celebrate the auspicious time of Navarathri, the lights shine brightest at Thiruvananthapuram’s historic Navarathri Mandapam in the Fort Palace complex. It holds the famed Navarathri Music Festival every year, a nine-day music extravaganza in which fans may see some of the classical music industry’s biggest names. The main attractions are the magnificent kritis (compositions) of Swathi Thirunal, a famed composer and former monarch of Travancore. Oil lamps adorn the stage, illuminating the acts in a blaze of glory.

Panachikkadu Festival in Kottayam

Venue: Panachikkadu Saraswati Temple – Kottayam
Date: 3rd to 13th October 2024

The Panachikkadu Saraswati Temple is one of the holiest venues for this ceremony, which takes place on the final day of the Navaratri Festival, Vijayadashami. The Dakshina Mookambika (Mookambika Temple of the South) honors Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. Vidyarambham, which literally means ‘beginning of education‘, is one of the most important rituals for Hindus throughout the state. A sacred temple rite introduces young children to the mystical world of letters, which is widely regarded as a watershed moment in their lives.

Oachira Kalakettu Ochira

Venue: Kollam
Date: 12th October 2024

It’s one of the most memorable moments in God’s Own Country. During the festival, decorated effigies of Nandi, the celestial bull, and Lord Shiva’s vehicle make a magnificent appearance at the Oachira Parabramha Temple. Each sub-division of the Onattukara region takes their effigies to the temple for the parade, with the best receiving a prize.

Koratty Muthy Feast

Venue: St. Mary’s Forane Church – Koratty, Thrissur
Date: 13th October 2024

It is hosted in Koratty, a picturesque village in the Thrissur district. The St. Mary’s Forane Church hosts a spectacular festival known as the Koratty Muthy Feast. The celebration honors the Virgin Mary, known locally as Koratty Muthy, and is highlighted by colorful spectacle and ceremonies. Poovan Kula (a type of plantain) is the primary dish here. The highlight here is the ‘Thulabharam’ with ‘Poovan Kula’ rite, in which devotees sacrifice their body weight in plantains. Koratty Muthy is also called Our Lady of the Poovan Bananas (Poovankula Matha).

Mannarasala Ayilyam

Venue: Sree Nagaraja Temple, Mannarasala, Alappuzha District
Date: 26th October 2024

It is a remote shrine in a forest glade, with over 30,000 snake figures adorning the paths and among the trees. This is the only Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple in Alappuzha District. The temple, which is dedicated to the Serpent Gods, is particularly unique in that its priestess is a Brahmin woman. The Ayilyam Festival is the main event here, taking place on the Ayilyam asterism in the Malayalam month of Thulam, which roughly corresponds to October and November.

Alpasi Utsavam

Venue: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple – East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram
Date: 31st October 2024 to 09th November 2024

One such fantastic festival is the Alpasi Festival at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which takes place in October or November. The main attraction is the spectacular Aarattu ceremony, which involves the deities taking a holy bath in the sea. A massive procession begins at the temple and proceeds to Shanghumugham Beach, with the head of the Travancore Royal Family leading the way, sword in hand. Caparisoned elephants, mounted police, and columns of armed police can be seen as thousands of loyal followers crowd the streets to witness this one-of-a-kind and historic event.

Parumala Perunnal

Venue: Parumala Church, Pathanamthitta District
Date: 02nd November 2024

It is an annual feast commemorating the death anniversary of Bishop Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, the Malankara Orthodox Church of Kerala’s first canonized saint. Devotees from all around the state gather on the church grounds to commemorate this momentous occasion. The feast day is highlighted by special services and a vibrant parade. On the ormaperunnal (commemoration day), the church offers special prayers.

Revathi Pattathanam

Venue: Tali Mahadeva Temple, Kozhikode District
Date: 13th November 2024

On the day of Revathi Pattathanam, the wisdom of the Vedas manifests itself abundantly. This ritual originated in the 14th century at the Thali Mahadeva temple, which is as old as the tale about Kerala’s formation. The famed Revathi Pattathanam used to be a seven-day annual gathering of scholars overseen by Zamorins. This is an outstanding annual cultural and intellectual event in Kerala.

Kalpathy Ratholsavam

Venue: Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Kalpathi, Palakkad
Dates: 13th to 15th November 2024

Kalpathi Ratholsavam (Kalpathi Chariot Festival) is a yearly Hindu festival held at Kalpathi, Palakkad district, at the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy Temple. The three-day festival conducted at Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple situated at Kalpathi near Palakkad, Kerala draws thousands of devotees and tourists every year. Kalpathi is known as a Traditional Brahmin settlement in Kerala. The epicentre of the entire three-day festival is Lord Vishwanatha housed as the presiding deity in this 700-year-old temple. The highlight of the festival is that the three chariots which are elaborately bedecked come on a procession around the village. On the first day of the festival, only one chariot is taken out and the number gets increased. On the third day, all three chariots are taken around with Vedic recitals and poojas everywhere. The temple is very near to the Palakkad Railway station.

Vettukadu Feast in Thiruvananthapuram

Venue: Madre-de-Deus Church, Thiruvananthapuram District
Date: 15th November to 24th November 2024

People from all walks of life flock to the 500-year-old Madre-de-Deus Church in Vettukadu, a coastal neighborhood of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s capital city, to worship and spend some quality time in solitude. The annual ‘Christ the King’ Festival, which is said to have been visited by the famed missionary St. Francis Xavier between C.E. 1543 and 1547, is a major event in the area.

Vaikathashtami

Venue: Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam District
Date: 23rd November 2024

The Vaikom Mahadeva temple, located on the shores of the Vembanad Lake in Vaikom (Vaikkom) and featuring exquisite Kerala-style temple architecture, is a sight to behold. The temple is referred to as Dakshinakasi of the South. The temple and its surrounds will be especially beautiful in December, when Vaikathashtami, the twelve-day yearly festival, takes place.

Puthari Thiruvappana

Venue: Sri Muthappan Temple, Parassinikadavu, Kannur District
Date: 01st December 2024

The Muthappan Thiruvappana (Puthari Thiruvappana) Festival is celebrated annually. Sri Muthappan is always accompanied by a dog, and dogs are regarded sacred here. When the Prasadam (offerings to the god) is ready, it is first offered to a dog who is constantly present within the temple compound.

Guruvayur Ekadasi

Venue: Thrissur District
Date: 11th December 2024

Ekadasi, the eleventh day of a lunar fortnight, is considered auspicious in Hinduism. Of the 24 Ekadasis in a year, the Vrishchika Ekadasi in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November or December) is especially significant. The Ekadasi Vilakku (vilakku = lighted lamp) at the Guruvayur temple, whose presiding deity is Lord Krishna, begins one month before the Ekadasi day. This is done as an offering by devotees.

International Film Festival

Venue: Trivandrum
Date: 13th to 20th December 2024

Every year, devoted IFFK fans travel to Thiruvananthapuram to celebrate the magic of movies. The festival, billed as one of the country’s largest cultural events, showcases the best films from modern international cinema, Indian cinema, and Malayalam cinema in venues throughout the city.

Niranam Valiyapally Perunnal

Venue: St. Mary’s Church, Pathanamthitta District
Date: 21st December 2024

The St. Mary’s Church at Niranam in Pathanamthitta (popularly known as Niranam Valiya Pally) is one of Kerala’s oldest churches, believed to have been founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, in AD 54. The church is famous for its yearly feast, which is held on December 21st each year in remembrance of St. Thomas. The feast of the Assumption of St. Mary (Vaangipu Perunnaal) is observed on August 15, whereas the feasts of Mar Thoma II and Mar Thoma V are celebrated concurrently on May 10.

Beypore Waterfest

Venue: Chaliyar River, Kozhikode District
Date: 24th to 28th December 2024 (Tentative)

Beypore Waterfest is a one-of-a-kind water event held in Kerala that features a variety of interesting water sports and activities. The festival is primarily held along the Chaliyar River, also known as the Beypore River in Kozhikode. The water festival includes kayaking, paddle racing, parasailing, water skiing, boat races, rafting, canoeing, sailing, and a variety of other exciting water activities. It also features several specialties, such as Kerala’s traditional snake boat races and the aquatic activities featured in the Olympics.

Cochin Carnival

Venue: Kochi, Ernakulam
Date: 25th December 2024 to 1st January 2025

The Cochin Carnival is a seven-day festival that begins around Christmas and concludes on New Year’s Eve with a magnificent procession through the city of Cochin. The Cochin Carnival is organized by the District Tourism Promotion Council. Throughout these seven days, a variety of events are held, including sports, cultural programs, treasure hunts, and so on. The Cochin Carnival reflects Fort Kochi’s mixed past. Its roots run deep in Portuguese and British rule. The Portuguese New Year celebrations during the colonial era laid the groundwork for the Cochin Carnival. The Carnival was created during the International Year of Youth with the themes of ‘Participation’, ‘Development’, ‘Peace’, ‘Adventure’, and ‘Environment’.

Kochi Muziris Biennale

Venue: All across Kochi and its surrounding
Date: December 2024 to April 2025

The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition that takes place in Kochi, Kerala. It is a celebration of the contemporary art scene across the globe with displays of artworks of both Indian and International artists through a wide variety of mediums. It is the largest art exhibition in the country and the biggest contemporary art festival in Asia. The purpose of this Kochi Biennale is to conserve heritage properties and monuments and uplift traditional forms of art and culture. The exhibition is set in several locations throughout Kochi and the adjacent islands. The Kochi Muziris Biennale aims to evoke the global essence of Kochi’s present metropolis as well as its fabled heritage.

Arattupuzha Pooram

Venue: Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple, Thrissur District
Date: March – April (exact dates are to be advised)

Every year for seven days, the Sree Sastha temple in Thrissur hosts the Arattupuzha Pooram (Mother of all Pooram festivals of Kerala), Kerala’s oldest pooram. According to believers, all gods and goddesses congregate at this ‘conclave’ during the Pooram season. As many as 23 deities from various temples in Thrissur are brought here and worshipped, creating a beautiful spectacle in and of itself. Mighty elephants and their mahouts wander through the streets to the beats of the chenda (drum) and Kuzhal (wind instrument), which govern the tempo of the throng. Wave after wave of people flows around the venue, with a variety of folk-art performances taking place at the same time.

Malabar Kite Festival

Venue: Pallikkara Bekal Beach Park. Bekal, Kasargod
Date: April – May (exact dates are to be advised)

The Malabar kite festival is a colorful event co-organized by the Kasargod District Tourism Promotion Council, Bekal Resort Development Corporation, and the Bakel Lions Club. Kite enthusiasts from all around the world and country demonstrate their skills by flying various types of kites. The lively celebration attracts hundreds of spectators and participants.

Conclusion

From the vibrant colors of Onam to the electrifying energy of Thrissur Pooram, Kerala’s festivals offer a captivating glimpse into the heart of this South Indian state. Each celebration, steeped in tradition and brimming with cultural significance, promises a unique and unforgettable experience. So, why not plan your next trip to Kerala around one of these joyous festivals and immerse yourself in the magic of God’s Own Country?