The following compiled events are scheduled to be held in 2013, thought the actuals dates may change the events will be held within the stipulated months. Please contact us should you require further information about them. Some will have tickets for them others are open to all, follow closely for updates. Note that all “poya” or full moon days of each month are public holidays, no government or private offices will be working, banks will be closed and supermarkets & hotels will refrain from selling/serving liquor as its banned by law.
March - The annual Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held in Sri Lanka over a period of 10 days in March. Festivals during the previous years saw participants from around the world join this festival. The route covered Sigiriya, Kandy, and Colombo. About 40 participants from around the world participate in the event. Colourful hot-air balloons floating around the island is quite a spectacular sight. The festival is hosted by Air Magic, a pioneer hot air ballooning company in Sri Lanka.
April – April is a holiday month in Sri Lanka where the Sinhalese and Tamil communities celebrate the dawning of the New Year. All hotels organize traditional games & sweet meats to celebrate, the time when Sri Lankan families, Sinhalese and Tamils, get together to celebrate this one of a kind festival, where the whole country does everything from food preparation, cooking and eating to an auspicious time schedule. In the past it has marked the end of seasonal harvest and to conduct traditional rituals, religious ceremonies, offer thanks for a good rice harvest, and wish peace and prosperity to all for the New Year. Today the celebrations and traditional rituals are only seen in the rural areas. In anticipation of the holiday rush, Nuwara Eliya – the salubrious upcountry hill station, spruces itself up for the “April Blooms festival” (10th April) and various activities ranging from golf tournaments, motor cross races, and flower shows are all held. For those heading for the southern beaches, Whale and Dolphin spotting is an adventurous experience at this time of the year, offered by various hotels of down south and water sports based in the Bentota .
May – On Vesak full-moon Poya day in May, Buddhists all over the world venerate the life of Lord Buddha – his birth, enlightenment and passing away. Homes, villages and cities in Sri Lanka are lit up in serene splendor with oil lamps, intricate hand made lanterns, and colourful Pandals depicting the life story of Lord Buddha are erected across the island. The month of May also marks the start of the surfing period in Arugam Bay in the east coast known for its killer surf, Arugam Bay is listed as one of ten top surf spots in the world.
June – During the full-moon poya day of June, Buddhists celebrate Poson when the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Ven. Mahinda, is remembered. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees flock to Buddhist shrines across the country to pay homage to the Buddha, Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and the Sangha (the Buddhist monks). Mihintale where Buddhism originated on the island in 247 BC is takes on a serene air during this period with thousands of pilgrims lighting incense and oil lamps in honour of Buddha.
July – July which is the month of Esala poya is when several Pereheras (cultural processions) are conducted in several parts of the island.
July/August – “Vel” and “Mayurapathy Chariot Festival” both held in hindu kovils in Colombo 04.
July/August – Hikkaduwa beast fest – a beach carnival like no other centered on the resort town by the same name.
August – During the month of August, Kandy dazzles for two weeks with the sounds and lights of the Kandy Perehara – a magnificent procession where the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is majestically paraded on elephant back along the streets of Kandy. This ritual, which has been taking place for hundreds of years, is an experience of a lifetime. Colombo’s Bellanwila temple also holds its annual perehera which is also a colourful procession.
September – National kite festival, a bash of colours in flight, along the mt.Lavinia beach famous for seafood restaurants serving the very best.
October – Sri Lanka golf classics held in Victoria golf club, Kandy.
November – World spice festival, Colombo.
November – Deepawali, Hindu festival of lights celebrated by Hindu’s all over the island.
December – Unduwap poya day, Adams peak season begins, 25th Christmas is celebrated in grand style in most of the hotel and mainly in Colombo along with “31st night” New years eve.
