🎊 Events & Festivals in Kollam

Experience the vibrant celebrations, grand boat races, colourful temple festivals and cultural events that make Kollam come alive year-round

🎭 Onam
🛶 Boat Race
🐘 Pooram
🎆 Vishu
🌺 Kollam Utsav

Kerala boat race Nehru Trophy snake boat onam festival

Kollam is a city that loves to celebrate. From the grandeur of Onam (Kerala’s harvest festival) and the thrilling Ashtamudi Boat Race to temple Poorams with decorated elephants, fireworks, and traditional percussion — Kollam’s festivals are loud, colourful, and deeply rooted in Kerala’s cultural heritage.

🎊 Major Festivals & Events

Onam festival Kerala floral decoration pookalam

📅 August–September

Onam — Kerala’s Grand Harvest Festival

Kerala’s biggest festival celebrated over 10 days. Highlights include the pookalam (floral carpet), Onasadya (26-dish feast), Kaikottikali dance, Pulikali (tiger dance), and of course — the spectacular snake boat races on Ashtamudi Lake.

Kerala snake boat race chundan vallam ashtamudi lake

📅 September

Ashtamudi Boat Race

One of Kerala’s most iconic boat races, held on Ashtamudi Lake during Onam season. Over 100-foot long snake boats (chundan vallam) with 100+ rowers race to traditional boat songs (vanchipattu). An electrifying spectacle drawing thousands of spectators.

Kerala temple festival elephant procession caparisoned pooram

📅 March–May

Temple Poorams & Ulsavams

Grand temple festivals featuring caparisoned elephants, traditional Panchavadyam (5-instrument percussion), Thidambu Nritham, and spectacular fireworks. The Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple Pooram is among the most famous in Kollam district.

📅 January

Kollam Utsav — Cultural Festival

An annual cultural extravaganza featuring Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Ottanthullal, Kuchipudi, classical music concerts, art exhibitions, and trade fairs. A major platform for traditional and contemporary Kerala arts.

📅 Festival Calendar — Kollam

January

Kollam Utsav
Pongal celebrations

February/March

Shivaratri at temples
Holi festivities

April

Vishu (Kerala New Year)
Temple Poorams begin

May

Kottarakkara Pooram
Summer temple festivals

August/September

Onam (10 days)
Ashtamudi Boat Race

October/November

Diwali celebrations
Navaratri dances

December

Christmas at Thangassery
New Year fireworks

🎊 Festival Tips: Book accommodation months in advance for Onam season (Aug–Sep) — hotels fill up fast. The Ashtamudi Boat Race is free to watch from the lake banks. For temple Poorams, arrive by 10 PM for the fireworks display. Dress modestly at religious festival venues. Photography of the boat race is best from elevated lake banks near the finish line.

🎊 Experience the Magic of Kollam Festivals

Plan your visit to coincide with Kollam’s most spectacular celebrations

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Ashtamudi Lake