Written by Muhammad Thahir · Sources checked 4 November 2026
This Sri Lanka festivals calendar lists the main public festivals of 2027 by month. Most follow the lunar calendar, so dates change every year. Fixed dates in the table come from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s official 2027 holiday list. Temple festivals such as the Kandy Esala Perahera and Nallur are announced by each temple later in the year.
Sri Lanka festival dates for 2027
Dates below are from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s 2027 bank holiday list.
| Date in 2027 | Festival | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 15 January | Thai Pongal | Tamil harvest festival; rice boiled in new pots at dawn |
| 22 January | Duruthu Poya | Processions at Kelaniya temple near Colombo |
| 20 February | Navam Poya | The Navam Perahera at Gangaramaya, Colombo |
| 6 March | Mahasivarathri | Night-long Shiva worship at Hindu temples |
| 10 March | Eid-ul-Fitr | End of Ramadan |
| 13–14 April | Sinhala and Tamil New Year | Family rituals at auspicious times; many shops close |
| 19–20 May | Vesak | Lanterns, pandals and free food stalls |
| 18 June | Poson Poya | Pilgrims at Mihintale and Anuradhapura |
| 18 July | Esala Poya | Season of the Kataragama festival |
| 28 October | Deepavali | Festival of lights in Tamil Hindu homes |
| 13 December | Unduvap Poya | Usual start of the Sri Pada pilgrimage season |
| 25 December | Christmas | Church services and decorated streets |
Temple festivals with dates still to be announced
Kandy Esala Perahera
Usually July or August. In 2026 it began on 18 August, as Newsfirst reported. See our Esala Perahera page.
Kataragama
A multi-faith festival in the south-east, usually ending around the Esala full moon. Read our Kataragama festival guide.
Nallur, Jaffna
Weeks of processions at the Nallur Kandaswamy temple, usually in August and September. See our Nallur festival guide.
Madhu
The main Catholic feast at Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar is on 15 August.
Local planning noteFestivals bring crowds, road closures and fuller hotels. Book festival nights early, and keep the day after a big night free.
Read about the biggest festival in our Vesak guide. More ideas are in ways to explore Sri Lanka’s culture.
Time your trip with a festival
Tell us which festival interests you and your flexible dates. Our tailor-made team can build the route around it.
Festival calendar questions
What is the biggest festival in Sri Lanka?
Vesak, on the May full moon, is the biggest national festival, with lanterns, illuminated pandals and free food stalls across the island. The Kandy Esala Perahera in July or August is the most famous procession.
When is the Kandy Perahera in 2027?
The 2027 dates had not been announced when we checked. The temple sets them by the lunar calendar, usually in July or August. In 2026 the processions began on 18 August.
What is a Poya day in Sri Lanka?
A Poya day is the monthly full-moon day, a Buddhist holy day and a public holiday. Temples are busy with families dressed in white. Plan for quieter shops and busier temples on these days.
Featured photo: Thilina Alagiyawanna / Pexels. Hindu temple festival at night; illustrative photograph.
