Plan your trip · Alleppey (Alappuzha)
What's on in Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Alleppey (Alappuzha) — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Alleppey (Alappuzha) right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Alleppey (Alappuzha)'s calendar works around the monsoon — the big outdoor events sit either side of it, and the wettest weeks are the quietest ones for anything held in the open. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Signature to Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
🗓️ August–SeptemberSnake boats over a hundred feet long, crewed by more than a hundred rowers each, on Punnamada Lake.
Planning: Ticketed stands sell out; the backwaters are full and houseboats are booked months ahead.
Across Kerala
Onam
🗓️ August–SeptemberTen days of flower carpets, feasting on a banana-leaf sadya, and snake-boat races on the backwaters.
Planning: The state effectively stops for it; book houseboats and trains well ahead.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Alleppey's biggest events happen on the water. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, usually in August, fills the banks of Punnamada Lake with crowds cheering on snake boats over 100 feet long, each rowed by more than a hundred oarsmen. Smaller boat races are held on the backwaters through the monsoon and Onam season, and Onam itself brings flower carpets and sadya feasts across the district.
The cooler months bring the temple and church festivals. The Mullakkal Chirappu fills the town centre with elephants, stalls and fireworks from November into December, and the feast at Arthunkal church draws pilgrims in January. Dates follow local calendars and can change each year, so confirm them before you plan your trip around one.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Alleppey
- Book pavilion tickets for the Nehru Trophy race early, as the best stands sell out.
- Book houseboats and rooms well ahead for the race weekend, Onam and Christmas to New Year.
- Reach the race venue early, as roads and jetties get very crowded.
- Carry a rain jacket and a hat, since August can be wet or hot on the same day.
- Keep your phone and wallet secure in crowds.
- Follow the dress code at temple festivals and keep a respectful distance from the elephants.
Questions
Alleppey (Alappuzha) — FAQ
What are the main festivals and events in Alleppey?
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the biggest event. Onam, the Mullakkal Chirappu temple festival and the feast at Arthunkal church are also major occasions, alongside Christmas and New Year.
What is a snake boat?
A snake boat, or chundan vallam, is a long, narrow wooden racing boat, more than 100 feet long, with a raised stern. Each one carries a crew of over a hundred rowers and singers.
Why is it called the Nehru Trophy?
The race is named after Jawaharlal Nehru, who watched a snake-boat race in Alleppey in 1952 and later presented a trophy for it. It has been held on Punnamada Lake ever since.
How do I watch the Nehru Trophy Boat Race?
Buy a pavilion ticket in advance for a seat near the finish, or watch from the banks for free if you arrive early. Check the official website for the date, ticket sales and venue access.