Sri Lanka probably has more holidays than almost anywhere else in the world – Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and national festivals are celebrated. Every full moon day or ‘Poya Day’ is also a Buddhist holiday. On these days all public places of entertainment are closed and no alcohol is sold, although hotels usually make special arrangements for guests.
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| January 3 |
Duruthu Poya Day - Celebrates the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka over 2500 years ago and attracts thousands of people to Kelaniya Temple. |
| January 14 |
Tamil Thai Pongal Day |
| February 1 |
Navam Poya Day - Navam Perahera is Colombo's grandest parade - a colourful festival including dancers, with elephants parading the streets of Colombo in the vicinity of the Gangaramaya Temple and lasts for two days. |
| February 4 |
National Day - Independence Day |
| February 16 |
Maha Sivarathri Day |
| March 3 |
Medin Poya Day |
| April 1 |
Milad Un Nabi - Muslims celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. |
| April 2 |
Bak Poya Day |
| April 6 |
Good Friday |
| April 8 |
Easter Sunday |
| April 13 |
Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Eve - The Sinhalese and the Tamils celebrate the dawning of their traditional New Year. April marks the end of the harvest and start of the SW monsoon. This is the biggest celebration of the Buddhist year. Many Sri Lankans flee to Nuwara Eliya for parties and Horse racing. |
| April 14 |
Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Day |
| May 1 |
May Day |
| May 1 |
Vesak Poya Day - Vesak Festival
Commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, Vesak is the premier Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka. The entire country is lit up by the colourful lanterns and pandals. |
| May 31 |
Adhi Vesak Poya Day |
| June 30 |
Poson Poya Day - Commemorates the advent of Buddhism in the 3rd century B.C. |
| July 29 |
Esala Poya Day |
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Kataragama Festival - The city of Kataragama comes to life with the famous Esala Festivals. Thousands of devotees flock to Kataragama during this festival. |
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Munneswaram - The Munneswaram shrine, 3 km from Chilaw, is a Hindu shrine dedicated to God Siva. A colourful temple festival with fire walking. |
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Bellanwila Perahera - Held at the Rajamaha Vihara (Buddhist temple) at Bellanwila, South of Colombo, the Bellanwila Perahera is a colourful pageant. |
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Dondra Perahera - 165 kilometres South of Colombo, is the shrine dedicated to God Vishnu at Dondra. Colourful peraheras featuring Kandyan and low country dancers. |
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Kandy Esala Perahera (Esala Festival) -Sri Lanka’s most spectacular festival lasting 10 days (ends on Nikini Poya). This great procession, with elephants extravagantly decorated, Kandyan dancers and drummers, whip crackers, all in colourful costumes, honours the Sacred Tooth Relic. The best parades are during the final 3 days. Probably the most famous of all Sri Lankan cultural events. |
| August 28 |
Nikini Poya Day |
| September 26 |
Binari Poya Day |
| October 13 |
Ramazan Festival Day |
| October 25 |
Vap Poya Day |
| November 8 |
Deepavali Festival - Hindu festival of lights. Thousands of flickering oil lamps celebrate the victory of good over evil and the return of Rama. |
| November 24 |
Il Poya Day |
| December 20 |
Hadji Festival Day |
| December 23 |
Unduvap Poya Day - Commemorates the day the sapling under which Buddha attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka. |
| December 25 |
Christmas Day |
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Whilst every effort has been made to present an accurate list, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.
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