Onam is Kerala's harvest festival, celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which falls in August and September. It is marked at home with flowers and a large feast, and in public with cultural programs, processions and boat races. This guide explains the main traditions, which public events people look out for, and how to plan for next year's festival.
Onam has already passed for 2026, so this is a planning and background guide, not a list of current events. Dates shift every year, and nothing here confirms a particular event for a particular year.
How Onam is timed
Onam follows the Malayalam calendar. The festival runs over ten days, beginning on the day of the Atham star and reaching its main day on Thiruvonam, the tenth day. The Gregorian dates change each year, but they fall in late August or September. In 2026, for example, Thiruvonam was reported as 26 August. To plan for a future year, check the Thiruvonam date once it is published, and then count back ten days.
The traditions
Pookalam. A floral arrangement made at the entrance of homes and in public places, often starting small on Atham and growing larger through the ten days. Flowers are usually arranged in circular patterns, and many households make one each day.
Onasadya. A vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, with many dishes. Families prepare it at home, and many restaurants, institutions and community groups serve it in the days around Thiruvonam.
Thiruvonam day. The main day, with prayers, family gatherings, new clothes and the feast.
Folk and classical arts. Performances such as Thiruvathirakali, Kummattikali and Kathakali are part of the celebration, along with games and community contests in many places.
The story. The festival is associated with the legend of King Mahabali, who is remembered as a just ruler and welcomed home during Onam. Accounts and local customs differ, and different communities celebrate in their own ways.
Public events people look for
Many of the best-known Onam events are public.
- Pulikali. The "tiger dance", in which performers paint their bodies as tigers and dance to drums. It is especially associated with Thrissur and is usually held a few days after Thiruvonam.
- Vallam Kali. Snake boat races held on rivers and backwaters. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha is traditionally held in August, though dates have moved in some years, and other races take place around Onam.
- Athachamayam. A procession in Thripunithura, in Ernakulam district, that is traditionally regarded as opening the festival.
- Onam Week programs. The Kerala Tourism department has run a series of cultural programs across districts around Onam. Check its current announcements each year.
Details, venues and timings vary every year, and organisers announce them only a few weeks ahead.
How to find Onam events on Events Around Me
Browse the festival category and cultural events, then narrow by place. District pages such as Thrissur, Alappuzha and Ernakulam are useful for local programs, and Find Events lets you search by date. Only events that have been submitted and reviewed are listed, so an event you know about may not appear. The panel below shows the festival events listed right now.
Planning for next year
- Decide where you want to be. Pulikali, boat races and temple events are in different districts, so choose a base.
- Book travel and stays early. The days around Thiruvonam are busy, and many people travel home for the festival.
- Check dates when they are published, and then again closer to the day. Boat race dates and event timings can move.
- Allow for rain. Onam falls in the monsoon season, so read our guide to outdoor events in the monsoon.
- Check each event's page and the organiser's page for tickets, entry rules and cancellations.
For other festivals and when they usually fall, see the annual events guide. If you organise an Onam program, you can submit it when the dates are confirmed. If something here is out of date or wrong, please contact us.