| January |
14 Jan |
Thai Pongal |
Cultural / Religious |
North & East |
Tamil harvest festival. Traditional rituals and food. |
|
Mid–Jan |
Duruthu Perahera |
Cultural |
Kelaniya |
Grand Buddhist pageant with elephants & dancers. |
|
Jan–Mar |
Whale Watching Season Begins |
Adventure / Eco-tourism |
Mirissa, Kalpitiya |
Best time to see blue whales and dolphins. |
| February |
4 Feb |
Independence Day |
National / Cultural |
Colombo + Nationwide |
Military parades, flag ceremonies, and performances. |
|
Mid–Feb |
Navam Perahera |
Cultural |
Colombo – Gangaramaya Temple |
Elephant-led religious procession. |
|
TBC |
Galle Literary Festival |
Cultural / Art |
Galle Fort |
Global literary event with authors, workshops, food & art. |
| March |
TBC |
Surf Season Starts (East Coast) |
Sport / Adventure |
Arugam Bay |
Top surf destination in Asia. |
|
TBC |
Colombo Music Festival |
Music |
Colombo |
Afro, Caribbean, pop & local acts. Outdoor festival vibe. |
| April |
13–15 Apr |
Sinhala & Tamil New Year |
Cultural |
Nationwide |
Traditional games, rituals, music, and food. |
|
Mid-April |
Aluth Sahal Mangallaya |
Cultural |
Kandy |
New rice ceremony at Temple of the Tooth. |
| May |
12–14 May (TBC) |
Vesak Festival |
Religious / Cultural |
Nationwide |
Biggest Buddhist festival. Lanterns, pandals, free food. |
|
TBC |
Electric Peacock Festival |
Music / EDM |
Colombo / South |
Sri Lanka’s biggest electronic music festival. |
| June |
10–12 June (TBC) |
Poson Festival |
Religious |
Anuradhapura & Mihintale |
Celebrates the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. |
|
All Month |
Yala National Park Safaris |
Adventure / Wildlife |
Yala |
Peak season for leopard and elephant sightings. |
| July |
13–23 July (TBC) |
Kataragama Esala Festival |
Cultural / Religious |
Kataragama |
Fire walking, Hindu-Buddhist rituals, kavadi dance. |
|
Mid–Late July |
Vel Festival |
Cultural / Hindu |
Colombo |
Tamil chariot festival with drumming and blessings. |
|
Late July |
Arugam Bay Surf Open |
Sport |
Arugam Bay |
International surf competition. Music, beach parties. |
| August |
10–20 Aug (TBC) |
Kandy Esala Perahera |
Cultural / Religious |
Kandy |
Sri Lanka’s most iconic Buddhist procession. |
|
Mid–Aug |
Nallur Festival |
Religious / Cultural |
Jaffna |
25-day Hindu festival with majestic processions. |
|
Late Aug |
Ella Adventure Festival |
Adventure / Wellness |
Ella |
Hiking, cycling, music, and local art. |
| September |
TBC |
Colombo Fashion Week – Swim |
Fashion / Culture |
Colombo |
Swimwear edition with runway shows and beach parties. |
|
TBC |
Deep Jungle Music Festival |
Music / Camping |
Dambulla / Habarana area |
Electronic music + camping in nature. |
| October |
TBC |
Colombo International Book Fair |
Art / Culture |
BMICH, Colombo |
Biggest literary fair in South Asia. |
|
Full Moon |
Vap Poya |
Religious |
Nationwide |
End of Buddhist monastic retreat. |
|
Oct–Dec |
Kitesurfing Season Begins |
Sport / Adventure |
Kalpitiya |
Lagoon and ocean kiting paradise. Peak wind season. |
| November |
9 Nov |
Deepavali (Diwali) |
Religious / Cultural |
Jaffna, Colombo |
Hindu festival of lights. Lamps, sweets, prayers. |
|
TBC |
Colombo Design Festival |
Culture / Art / Fashion |
Colombo |
Design exhibitions, creative talks, and innovation. |
| December |
25 Dec |
Christmas |
Religious / Cultural |
Colombo, Negombo |
Celebrations with décor, mass, and events. |
|
Late Dec |
New Year Beach Raves |
Music / Party |
Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Mirissa |
EDM and techno beach parties for year-end. |