Plan your trip · Kannur
What's on in Kannur
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Kannur — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Kannur 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 Kannur
Kannur'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 Kannur
Theyyam season
🗓️ December–AprilRitual performances in village shrines where the performer is treated as the deity itself — closer to possession than theatre, and nothing like a staged show.
Planning: Held at small kavus, often overnight, and announced locally rather than advertised. Ask where and when; go respectfully or not at all.
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.
Kannur's calendar is shaped by Theyyam. From about October or November to May, village shrines across the district hold their yearly rituals, and many run through the night. Each Theyyam belongs to a particular shrine and date, so there is no single festival to plan around. Instead, you choose a night and find a kavu nearby. The daily Muthappan Theyyam at Parassinikadavu is the easiest way to see the ritual at any time of year.
Other big dates include the Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam in the hills, usually in May and June, and Onam in August or September. Festival dates follow the Malayalam calendar and change every year, so check before you book.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Kannur
- Ask locally or check the district tourism office for Theyyam dates, as many are announced only in the area.
- Remember that Theyyam is a religious ritual, not a show. Watch quietly and respectfully.
- Do not use flash, and never block a performer or stand between the deity and devotees.
- Dress modestly and be ready to remove your shoes.
- Many rituals happen late at night in villages, so arrange transport back in advance.
- Carry water, a torch and something to sit on.
Questions
Kannur — FAQ
What are the main festivals in Kannur?
The Theyyam season is the highlight, with rituals at village shrines from about October or November to May. The Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam and Onam are also important.
How do I find a Theyyam to watch?
Theyyam dates are set by each shrine and often announced only locally. Ask at your hotel or the district tourism office, look for published Theyyam calendars, or visit Parassinikadavu, where the Muthappan Theyyam is held almost every day.
When is the Kottiyoor festival?
The Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam is usually held in May and June, following the Malayalam calendar. It takes place in a forest temple in the hills of Kannur district and draws very large crowds.
Is Theyyam a performance for tourists?
No. Theyyam is a sacred ritual in which the performer is believed to become the deity. Visitors are welcome to watch, but they should behave as they would at any religious ceremony.