Festivals in Sri Lanka

For a small island in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka enjoys the second most number of public holidays in the world. This is given to the fact that the island’s population is made up of beautiful multiethnic people coming from different religions and cultural backgrounds. With every full moon declared a public poya holiday in honor of Buddhism, Sri Lanka has a total of 25 official annual holidays and a number of spectacular festivals that celebrate her people and their beliefs.


Eight Popular Festivals in SL:

Vesak – Held in commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Lord Buddha, the festival of lights is one of the most important celebrations in the Buddhist world. Falling on the full moon of every May, Sri Lanka lights up with oil lamps and colorful paper lanterns and hold festivities for two days straight.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year – The Island embraces every new-year on the 14th of April with loud bursts of firecrackers and joyous singing. Avurudhu or the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one day in Sri Lanka, where the whole country come together to celebrate and adhere to the age old customs and traditions. The beating of the drums, cheerful folk songs and dancing, Avurudhu games and the must have Avurudhu dishes all mark the beginning of another prosperous year for the people of Sri Lanka.

Thai Pongal – Celebrated among Tamils across the country, Thai Pongal is a thanksgiving ceremony where families pay tribute to the spirits, sun and the farm animals for a bountiful harvest. Falling on the mid of January (the first day in the month of Thai in the Tamil calendar), Thai Pongal is celebrated for two days with fireworks, vibrant colors and traditional music and dance.

Kandy Esala Perahera – One of the must see festivals in Sri Lanka will be the Kandy Esala Perahera. Held in Kandy every year during the full moon of July or August, the festival takes place for fifteen days with a spectacular procession of richly dressed elephants, traditional dancers, musicians, whip-crackers and torch bearers to commemorate the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Poson Poya Festival – Held in celebration of the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the Poson Poya festival takes place during the full moon in June. Though celebrated by Buddhist devotees across the country, the main festivities are found in Mihintale, where it is believed to be the first place a Buddhist monk spoke with the then Sinhalese ruler, King Devanampiyatissa.

Ramadan and Eid – Observed among the Muslims, Ramadan is a month long festival of cleansing and fasting that starts with the first sighting of the new moon. During Ramadan many of the restaurants in the country specially serve nighttime for Muslims to come together and break their fast. Eid is the last day of Ramadan where a big celebration of feasting takes place.

Deepavali – Symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, Deepavali is the Hindu Festival of Lights held to celebrate Lord Rama’s defeat of Ravana. Usually taking place in October or November, the festivities last for five days where the Hindu homes are illuminated by earthen lamps, firecrackers and traditional sweets.

Christmas ¬– Even though less than 20% of the country’s population is Christian, Christmas is still a widely celebrated holiday where every store, shop, bakery or mall is decorated with lights and Christmas trees during the month of December. If you’re traveling to Sri Lanka during this season, don’t forget to try the famous Sri Lankan Christmas Cake!




Written By: Kavisha Perera