It may be a small island, but there is nothing Sri Lanka loves more than an enormous celebration. Many different religious and ethnicities live in Sri Lanka and, it seems like Sri Lanka is always celebrating something. Sri Lanka, in its purest form, is a land of festivals, where people celebrate a variety of aspects of life with extraordinary enthusiasm.

Sinhala & Tamil New Year

Both Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. This celebrates the Sun God’s transition from “Pisces” to “Aries” and is a time to give thanks for the harvest. During this time, a lot of games and activities are being organised all over Sri Lanka.

People get busy preparing traditional sweets, cleaning and decorating their homes, cooking meals for their families, and flaunting their new attire. In order to up the fun factor during the celebrations, children are also anointed with herbal oils and, firecrackers are set off.

When: April

Where: All across the country

Vesak Poya

Celebrating the three significant turning points in the life of Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment, and his nirvana. Vesak Poya is one of the most important Buddhist celebrations in Sri Lanka. The festivities start on the day of the full moon and last for up to a week, lighting up every house, street, and store with the enchanted glow of Vesak kudu, or colourful lanterns.

During Vesak Poya, the Buddhist temples become especially busy. Intricate panels from the Jataka stories are displayed in illuminated pandals throughout Colombo, Gampaha, and Kandy, making the cities glisten.

To celebrate Vesak, free food stalls called Dansal open in Sri Lanka. People give food as a sign of merit at dansal, which are roadside stands offering food, beverages, and desserts. Buddhists adhere to a fundamental discipline known as dana, or almsgiving.

When: May

Where: All across the country, celebrations on a grand scale in Colombo

Poson Poya

This festival, also known as Poson Paya, is the second-most significant one among Buddhist celebrations in Sri Lanka. Poson Festival also has significant historical significance because it celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to the island in the third century.

Similar to Vesak, the festivities are held throughout the island with lanterns, pandals, and alms-stalls in the true spirit of Buddhist customs and teachings. The largest celebrations take place in and around the Mihintale rock outcrop where Arahat Mahinda Thero, a disciple of Buddha, first preached Buddhist doctrines to King Devanampiyatissa.

When: June

Where: All across the country, celebrations on a grand scale in Mihintale and Anuradhapura

Kandy Esala Perahera

“Dalada Perahera” or, The Festival of the Tooth, one of the most significant religious celebrations in Sri Lanka, honors the Buddha’s sacred tooth, which is kept in the renowned temple in Kandy. Every day for a week during the major celebrations, an extravagant parade of elephants decked up in luxurious garb, drummers, and traditional dancers moves through the streets of the city.

Randoli Perahera, also known as the Randoli Procession or, the final night’s celebrations, fervor, and excitement must be experienced to be believed. It is the grandest procession of the festival. The elephants come with garlands and are decorated costumes.

When: August

Where: Kandy Temple Of The Tooth

Kataragama Esala Festival

This Hindu festival, which lasts for more than two weeks, draws a lot of tourists to the southern Sri Lankan town of Kataragama. Self-mutilation and body piercing are methods used by people of many religious beliefs to atone for their sins.

The level of holiday spirit is strong, and it is especially evident in the processions of musicians, elephants dressed to the nines, dancers, acrobats, and fire eaters. Some followers participate in the parade by walking on fire. Skanda, the son of Shiva, is also presented with garlands of red flowers by devotees.

When: July or August

Where: Kataragama Town

Sri Pada Pilgrimage (Adam's Peak)

Thousands of people travel during the annual Sri Pada pilgrimage, which takes place between the months of December and May, to honour the holy footprint on Sri Pada. Few mountains in the world may have drawn as many pilgrims as this one, and rises 7000 feet above sea level.

Buddhists believe that the sacred footprint is that of Buddha, who came to the peak at the invitation of the deity who serves as its protector. The Mahawamsa describes how, during the Buddha’s third visit to Lanka, he left his sacred footprint behind.

When: December To May

Where: The mountain is situated in the southernmost portion of the Central Highlands, in the districts of Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya, in the provinces of Sabaragamuwa and Central, and is roughly 40 kilometres (25 miles) northeast of Ratnapura and 32 kilometres (20 miles) southwest of Hatton.

Christmas and New Year

Along with the rest of the world, we celebrate Christmas and New Year’s. Colombo is decked out for Christmas and New Year with lovely lights and holiday decor. The start of the New Year is typically celebrated with musical performances and gala events.

When: December

Where: All across the country, celebrations on a grand scale in Negombo and Colombo