Plan your trip · Kollam
What's on in Kollam
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Kollam — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Kollam 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 Kollam
Kollam'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.
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.
Kollam's biggest events happen on the water and at its temples. Snake boats race on Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada river after Onam, Kollam Pooram fills the Asramam temple grounds with elephants and drummers in April, and Christmas brings lights and midnight services to the churches of Thangassery.
Most festivals follow the Malayalam or lunar calendar, and boat race dates change from year to year. Check the dates for the year and book early if you plan your trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Kollam
- Arrive early for boat races to get a spot on the shore with a clear view.
- Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, as races and processions happen in the heat.
- Bring an umbrella or rain jacket for events around Onam, when showers are common.
- Keep your phone and wallet secure in large crowds.
- Stay back from elephants during temple processions.
- Dress modestly for temple festivals and follow the rules on photography.
- Book stays and trains early during Onam, when much of Kerala is travelling.
Questions
Kollam — FAQ
What are the main festivals and events in Kollam?
The highlights are Kollam Pooram in April, Onam in August or September, the Kallada boat race after Onam and the President's Trophy boat race on Ashtamudi Lake. Christmas is also celebrated widely, especially in Thangassery.
What is the President's Trophy boat race?
It is a snake boat race held on Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, with long, narrow boats rowed by large teams. It is now part of Kerala's Champions Boat League, and the date changes each year, so check before you travel.
When is the Kallada boat race?
The Kallada boat race is held on the Kallada river in Kollam district, traditionally soon after Onam. It is one of the last boat races of the Onam season. Dates change each year.
When is Kollam Pooram?
Kollam Pooram is usually held in mid-April at the Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, at the end of a ten-day festival. It features decorated elephants and traditional percussion.