Polheena Estate
January 19th, 2012
The Beach Hut
August 1st, 2011
Kadju House
June 2nd, 2011
Lansiya
June 2nd, 2011
Events and festivals in Sri Lanka
No matter what time of the year you choose to visit Sri Lanka, you’ll be able to enjoy some event and festival and soak up the culture and traditions of this beautiful country.
Here is a list of some of the famous festivals and events.
Duruthu Perahera (full moon Poya day in January)
The festival takes place in January and celebrates Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka more than 2500 years ago. It attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the sacred Kelaniya Temple in Colombo where the celebrations take place.
Galle Literary Festival
This annual festival takes place between January and February and affords visitors an opportunity to appreciate the work of Sri Lankan and international authors, engage in literary discussions and other intellectual and artistic activities against the backdrop of the historic Galle Fort.
National Day
In February, witness the Navam Perahera, Colombo's grandest outdoor parade which commemorates the country's gaining of independence on the 4 February 1948. Pomp and pageantry are the order of National Day.
Navam Perahera (full moon Poya day in February)
In February, the streets of Colombo come alive with100 beautifully decorated elephants parading through its streets. Since 1979, the Navam Perahera has annually attracted more than a million spectators to Gangaramaya Temple, at Hunupitiya by picturesque Beira Lake.
Sinhala & Tamil New Year Festival
April sees the celebrations of the New Year by the
Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka. The festival coincides with the end of harvest.
Bak (Full Moon Day)
Celebrated in April, the Bak full moon Poya day is one of the 12 Poyas in the Buddhist calendar. This particular occasion commemorates the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, which took place in the fifth year of his Supreme Enlightenment.
Vesak Festival
This annual festival takes place in May. It is the main Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka. During this time, people celebrate the triple anniversary of Lord Buddha - his birth, his attaining of Enlightenment and his passing into Nirvana.
Walk the World
Held annually in June, this global events aims to raise awareness about child hunger. In Sri Lanka this year participants board "The Hunger Train" at Colombo's Fort Station and travel north to Negombo, where a traditional walk takes place. Kandyan dancers add colour to this 5km walk.
Poson Festival
This is also an annual festival held in June. It commemorates the conversion of Sri Lanka to Buddhism in the 3rd century BC. Illuminations and processions take place all over the country.
Esala Festival
Held in July the annual Esala Festival at the Kataragama Shrine in Sri Lanka's southern jungle honours the variously named Kataragama God with two weeks of celebrations.
Kandy Perahera (Esala Perahera)
Held in the month of August, this is one of the most important annual Buddhist celebrations that takes place all over Kandy. During the Kandy Perahera (Esala Perahera) religious ceremony, devotees pray for favourable rains to help cultivate successful crops.
Deepavali (Diwali)
The festival of lights is celebrated by the Hindus in the month of November. It symbolises the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.
Adams Peak festival
The month of December sees the start of the pilgrimage season to climb Adam’s Peak. You can join this 1000 year-old pilgrimage shared by Sri Lanka's main religions.