Upcoming Events

Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festivals

Venue - Around the country

Date: -13th to 14th April 2025

Many countries around the world celebrate the New Year on January 1st. However, various cultures follow different calendars and mark the occasion on different dates. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is celebrated from April 13th to 14th with grand festivities. This significant cultural event, deeply rooted in traditions and rituals, is a must-experience during a visit to the island. Based on the sun’s transition from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries), Sri Lankans welcome the New Year with vibrant firecrackers, dazzling fireworks, and a delightful spread of traditional sweets.

Sri Lanka Vesak Festival

Venue - Around the country

Date - 12th May 2025

Vesak, the most significant Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka, is a time of profound spiritual significance and vibrant celebration. During this sacred period, people commemorate the triple anniversary of Lord Buddha—his birth, his attainment of Enlightenment, and his passing away into Nirvana. Revered as the Buddhist Festival of Light, the occasion is marked by the enchanting glow of colorful bamboo-framed lanterns that adorn the interiors of every home, while breathtaking luminous displays illuminate the streets of towns and cities across the island. For an unforgettable experience, visit Bauddhaloka Mawatha, the main street in Colombo, where the radiant spectacle reaches its full glory, captivating all who witness it.

Vesak also heralds the beginning of the first month of the Buddhist Calendar, a time for deep introspection and spiritual renewal. It is a day when people set aside worldly pursuits to immerse themselves in religious activities. Devotees spend their time in reflective prayer, visiting temples from dawn until dusk to offer their devotion. As the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms with vibrant processions, where devotees come together in unity and return to temples in the evening to listen to monks recite stories from sacred texts, drawing wisdom and inspiration from the teachings of Buddha.

The spirit of Vesak extends beyond temples and into the streets, where the essence of generosity and community shines brightly. Stalls lining the roadsides generously distribute free refreshments to passers-by, embodying the values of compassion and sharing. Additionally, the festival comes alive with captivating mime and street theatre performances staged on tall platforms near temples in cities and towns throughout the country, offering both entertainment and moral lessons to audiences of all ages. Vesak is not just a festival; it is a celebration of light, wisdom, and the enduring teachings of Lord Buddha.