Independence Day
Sri Lanka celebrates it Independence Day on the 4th of February. Ceylon as the island was then known, gained independence in 1948 and this anniversary is celebrated each year with much pomp and pageantry.

Navam Perahera
Undoubtedly Colombo's grandest outdoor parade, the Navam Perahera is a spectacular display of Sri Lanka's traditional forms of art. Dancers and drummers from around the island perform in this procession, which winds its way along the streets of the city. Over 100 caparisoned elephants add considerable grandeaur to this annual spectacle which draws thousands to the city to view its progress.

Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)
Adam's Peak or Sri Pada is Sri Lanka's holy mountain. This is the best time of year at which one might climb the Peak. Pilgrims pay homage to an ancient footprint at its summit, believed to be that of Lord Buddha.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year
This celebration marks the harvest festival - a time for song and celebration as the busy months spent working in the paddy fields draws to a close. Sri Lanka's two main ethnic groups, the Sinhalese and Tamils, celebrate a common traditional New Year marking the passage of the Sun from Pisces to Aries. Traditional games are played and customs observed. Astrologers prescribe auspicious colours for each year and new clothes are made and worn in accordance with these instructions, to ensure good luck in the new year. Special food items and sweetmeats are prepared and eaten an auspicious hour.

The "Season"
The April holiday season coincides with the Sinhala/Tamil New Year and Easter holidays during which all schools are closed for a month or more. If you intend combining business with pleasure, its best you avoid this period since most places shut down 8th and 20th April. In April most city dwellers retreat to the cooler climes of Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela where they might enjoy "up-country" pursuits such as hiking, golfing and riding. The hill country resort town of Nuwara Eliya takes on a carnival atmosphere with garden exhibitions and competitions organised at the Park, entertainment such as dances organised at the hotels and horse races at the Nuwara Eliya race track.

Vesak
A thrice blessed day for Buddhists, Vesak commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha, his attaining Enlightenment and his passing away in to Nibbana. It is a festival of lights with lanterns and gigantic illuminated displays known as "Pandols" decorating the temples, streets and homes of Buddhists. It is also a time when wayside food and drink outlets called "Dhansal" distribute refreshments free of charge to passers by

Poson Mihintale Festival
This full moon festival commemorates the advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd Century BC. The ancient site of Mihintale where the Buddhist doctrine was first preached is the central focus of activities.

Fruit Season Kataragama Festival
The jungle shrine of God Kataragama on the south east of the island is a popular destination for pilgrims. Highlights include acts of self-mortification such as fire walking.
Fragrant markets turn in to a sunburst of colour and the cries of vendors tell us that the island's exotic fruit season has begun. Fruit to be found include rambuttan, mango, durian, papaw, pineapple, mangosteen etc.

Kandy Esala Perahera
The Esala Perahera or pageant is a climax in a series of Peraheras. A golden casket containing 34 relics of Lord Buddha are taken in procession around the streets of Kandy. Over a thousand costumed dancers and drummers, torch bearers and whip crackers as well as over a hundred caparisoned elephants decorated in silks and coloured lights, take part in this spectacular procession.

Vel Festival
Celebrated by Hindus, a colourful and intricately decorated Vel Chariot carrying the weapons of God Skanda is taken in procession along the streets of the city of Colombo, on a tour of the Hindu temples.

Vintage Car Rally
Formerly known as "The Old Crocks Rally", sporty MGs, convertibles and relics from a bygone era of motoring form an impressive line up of over 125 vintage cars participating at this annual rally.

Kite Festival
A burst of colour and flurry of floating tails fixed on kites of assorted shapes and sizes take to the skies in this spectacular contest held by the sea, on the Galle Face Green in the heart of the city of Colombo.

Deepavali
A "Festival of Lights", it is a celebration to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune, into Hindu homes, which are gaily decorated and illuminated with oil lamps and lights.

Christmas
Sri Lanka's significant Christian population celebrates the universal joys of Christmas with singing of carols, giving of gifts and other traditional festivities.