Kerala Tourism is turning the upcoming Onam season into a showcase of the state’s cultural traditions, inviting travellers to experience the festival through processions, folk performances, traditional feasts and some of Kerala’s best-known boat races.
Under its Onam campaign, Kerala Tourism is highlighting a series of celebrations taking place across the state. While Onam falls on different dates each year according to the Malayalam calendar, several major events are scheduled in August in 2026, creating a packed festival itinerary for visitors.
The campaign begins with Athachamayam in Thripunithura on 16 August, marking the start of the ten-day Onam celebrations. The traditional procession reflects the royal history of the former Cochin state and features decorated elephants, floats, musical ensembles and Kerala’s folk art forms.
Kerala Tourism is also putting the spotlight on the state’s famous Vallamkali, or boat races. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada in Alappuzha is scheduled for 22 August, followed by the Payippad Boat Race from 26 to 28 August. The campaign also features the Aranmula Boat Race, scheduled for 30 August, a tradition closely associated with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple and the Pamba River.
At the heart of the campaign is Thiruvonam on 26 August, the most significant day of the Onam festival. Visitors can experience the traditions associated with the occasion, from colourful Pookkalams and elaborate Onasadya feasts to cultural performances and community celebrations.
The campaign then shifts to one of Kerala’s most distinctive folk spectacles, Pulikali (tiger dance) in Thrissur on 29 August. Performers painted as tigers take to the streets around Swaraj Round, dancing to traditional percussion in a celebration that has become synonymous with the city’s Onam festivities.
Through its campaign, Kerala Tourism is presenting Onam not as a single-day celebration, but as a season of experiences spread across different parts of the state. From the former royal town of Thripunithura and the backwaters of Alappuzha to the cultural streets of Thrissur and the heritage village of Aranmula, the campaign offers travellers multiple ways to encounter Kerala’s traditions.
The dates are subject to change, and travellers are advised to check the latest information before planning their visit.