Events and Festivals

Festivals
All important Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and national festivals are celebrated- up to 72 in all, including Sundays. Sri Lankan’s have the right balance in life to work and play.Every full moon -Poya day- is a Buddhist holiday. Public places of entertainment and most shops are closed. Some supermarkets remain open but will not sell red meat or alcohol. Hotels will often refuse to serve alcohol.

Most Spectacular Festivals

Traditional New Year
Traditional New Year in Sri Lanka is celebrated in the month of April. The festival is celebrated when the Sun enters from the zodiacal sign of Pisces (the last sector) to Aries (the first sector). Whole country celebrates traditional New year with lots of enthusiasm. Conventional rituals are observed on this day. This is the biggest celebration of the Buddhist year and families will exchange presents.

Vesak
For Buddhists all across the world, Vesak, a full moon day in May, is an occasion of paramount importance The day marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Last Breath of the Buddha. Buddhists decorate and illuminate their houses with electric lamps and specially Vesak lanterns. They also visit places of worship.Towns wear a totally different outlook on the day. Colorful pandols with numerous electric jets are erected. Free meals are offered to passersby as well.

Esala Perahera
Is held in July / August in Kandy. The most important festival of the year extending over 10 days, climaxing on the Nikini full moon.This great procession – elephants extravagantly decorated, Kandyan dancers, fire walkers, spinning plates- honors the Sacred Tooth Relic of Kandy.

Others Festivals

Independence Day
Sri Lanka celebrates its Independence day on the 4th February every year. This day the Sri Lankans attained independence from British rule.

Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Tamil New Year in early / mid January. Nuwara Eliya and the Hill Country will be alive with family parties and Horse Racing.

Deepavali
Hindu festival of lights in Oct / Nov. Thousands of flickering oil lamps celebrate the victory of good over evil and the return of Rama. The Tea country will see the most colourful celebrations as the pickers are granted holiday from the fields.

Christmas Day & New Year
Christmas and Easter are celebrated like in any other part of the world by the Christian Community of Sri Lanka.