Check out our Sri Lanka events calendar to plan a colourful and exciting vacation. The island has much to offer to all who visit throughout the year.
January 2020
February 2020
March 2020
April 2020
May 2020
June 2020
July 2020
August 2020
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020
December 2020
15thJan
Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Thai Pongal, a harvest festival dedicated to the sun is celebrated each year by the Tamil community. Banana and mango leaves are used to decorate homes & traditional artwork called kolams, created with flour & grated coconut in different colours to decorate the floors. Families dress up for the occasion and meet to exchange greetings & gifts. Many visit kovils or temples to honour God Surya.
Jan
Duruthu Perahera – Kelaniya Temple
This colourful religious pageant is held under the auspices of the Kelaniya Temple and marks the start of the Buddhist calendar. It features a parade of mesmerizing traditional dancers, drummers and elephants. The perahera also symbolizes Lord Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka.
Jan
Main Duruthu Perahera – Kelaniya Temple
The culmination of the Duruthu Perahera celebration commences at 7:00 pm. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets to view the finale of this impressive pageant.
4thFeb
72nd National Day of Sri Lanka
Celebrating 72 years of Independence from British rule, Sri Lanka’s National Day parade includes the traditional hoisting of the flag, singing of the national anthem and lighting of the oil lamp before the military parade and cultural performances begin.
Feb
Navam Maha Perahera
Join throngs of spectators to witness Colombo’s most prestigious religious pageant. A hundred beautifully decorated elephants, dancers and drummers parade the streets around the Beira Lake area – an amazing spectacle!
21stFeb
Maha Shivratri Day
Paying tribute to Lord Shiva, it is an important and exciting day for the Hindu community in Sri Lanka who spend it with friends and family whilst observing various sacred Hindu traditions.
Mar
School Cricket - The Big Match Season
A highly popular event on the calendar - the annual Big Match season of league cricket is played between leading colleges. Cheered on by current and past pupils and their fans of all ages from home and around the world, traditional rivals since time immemorial gather during this season to compete for the trophy.
Apr
Nuwara Eliya Flower Show
One of the main events of the season in Nuwara Eliya, popularly referred to as ‘Little England’ for its cool and salubrious climate. The show dates back to the 18th century and was introduced by the British to encourage the local flower growers.
The only venue for the sport in Sri Lanka, the Royal Turf Club ensures the tradition of this glorious sport is carried on. One of the main attractions of the season - The Governor’s Cup race is held around the time of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrating the end of the harvesting season is widely celebrated. Observing traditional customs, indulging in festive food and a range of fun games and activities are part of the festivities.
7thMay
Vesak – The Festival of Lights
A religious and cultural festival celebrating the birth, death and enlightenment of Lord Buddha, Buddhists worship and make offerings of flowers, light lamps and incense at temples. Homes, villages and towns are decorated with lanterns and illuminated with light bulbs. Dansalas set up by Buddhist devotees offer free food and drink to passersby. Colourful Pandals are erected depicting tales from the Jataka stories & scriptures.
May-Aug
Surfing Season – Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay has some of the best waves in Sri Lanka and ranks among the world’s top 10 surfing locations. Attracting surfing enthusiasts from around the world, many local and international competitions are held during the season.
Chances of spotting the elusive sloth bear roaming the park are at its best during the month of May when they go in search of the sweet fruit of the large palu trees.
The most popular of all Sri Lanka’s national parks, it boasts of one of the highest populations of leopard in the wild. The parks beautiful landscapes of tropical dry zone forests bordering the ocean which attracts many other species of birds, mammals and reptiles is a must-visit. Two important pilgrim sites located within the park are Sithulpawwa and Magul Maha Viharaya.
Devotees from across the country flock to Mihintale and visit temples to observe sil and meditation, celebrating the birth of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Pandals are erected and free food and drink served to passersby at Dansalas (food stalls) set up by Buddhist devotees.
Jul
Surfing Championships in Arugam Bay
The championships - Arugam Bay’s largest sporting event takes place during this month, attracting surfing pros and enthusiasts from around the world.
25th-30thJul
The Kandy Esala Perahera
The Kandy Esala Perahera 25th – 30th July 2020 The oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals, commemorating the first teaching given by Buddha, this amazing pageant parades the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. The procession features traditional local dancers, drummers, musicians, torch bearers, jugglers and its highlight – over a 100 beautifully caparisoned elephants.
26th-27thJul
The Kataragama Esala Perahera
Forming part of the Esala perahera which takes place in Kandy, the Kataragama perahera is dedicated to the Hindu God of Wisdom - Skanda or Kataragama Deviyo. The pageant attracts a large number of locals and tourists from around the world.
Aug
Elephant Gathering
During the dry season when the waters of the Minneriya tank recede, leaving in its wake fertile and rich grasses, witness the enthralling sight of the single largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world. Over 300 of these majestic creatures can be observed during this remarkable gathering which takes place every year.
Jun
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Aug
Leopard at Yala National Park
The best time to spot the elusive leopard in Yala is during this dry season on an early morning or late afternoon safari.
May
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Sep
Whale watching in Trincomalee
The season to spot some of the largest creatures on earth – the blue and sperm whales.
Oct
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Apr
Bird watching
Rated as one of the Top 10 locations for bird watching thanks to its tropical climate and exotic landscape, Sri Lanka is a birder’s paradise. December is declared as the National Bird Month. Kumana, Kalametiya and Udawatte Kele are best during this season.
Nov
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Mar
Dolphin Watching in Kalpitiya
If you wish to see hundreds of dolphins! Your best opportunity is during the season in Kalpitiya. Look out for the Spinner, Bottlenose and the Rissos.
Nov
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end
Whale watching in Mirissa
The start of the whale watching season, the seas off Mirissa are home to the blue and killer whales. The best months for spotting them are in March & April. Tours are arranged to take you out into the deep seas to view the whales.
Dec-
Apr
Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage Season
The annual pilgrimage season commences on the day of the full moon in December and lasts through to April. The climb involves 5 – 6 thousand steps and incline trekking to reach the top. Devotees and visitors start the climb very early in the morning to pay homage and witness a spectacular sunrise from its peak.
25th
Dec
Christmas Celebrations
Christmas is widely celebrated in the country especially in the cities and areas home to large Catholic and Christian communities. Illuminations and various exciting seasonal activities heighten the festive atmosphere.
Dec
The Christmas Market
‘The Christmas Market’ held annually at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo attracts those with a discerning taste. It showcases a range of fresh produce from bakery items, fresh exotic ingredients, a variety of delectable food products to Christmas trimmings.
31st
Dec
31st Night New Years Eve Parties
New Year’s Eve is celebrated in different forms in the country! Hotels put on a splash in the form of Dinner Dances and Banquets! Firework displays add to the evening’s entertainment. The festivities tend to go on till the wee hours of the morning. Mid night church services for the Christian community and visits to the temple are common practices.