Poya (full-moon) days, public holidays and the major cultural pageants, with what it means for a traveller.
Duruthu Poya
Sat 3 Jan · Islandwide (Kelaniya) Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit to the island. The Duruthu Perahera at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, near Colombo, is a grand procession of elephants and dancers. Public holiday. Alcohol and meat sales are restricted island-wide; temples and Kelaniya get very crowded.
Sat 3 Jan · Islandwide (Kelaniya) Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit to the island. The Duruthu Perahera at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, near Colombo, is a grand procession of elephants and dancers. Public holiday. Alcohol and meat sales are restricted island-wide; temples and Kelaniya get very crowded.
Tamil Thai Pongal
Thu 15 Jan · North, East & Tamil areas Tamil harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God. Homes cook sweet Pongal (rice, jaggery, cardamom) that boils over to symbolise abundance. Public holiday; Hindu temples and Tamil-majority towns are busy and festive.
Thu 15 Jan · North, East & Tamil areas Tamil harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God. Homes cook sweet Pongal (rice, jaggery, cardamom) that boils over to symbolise abundance. Public holiday; Hindu temples and Tamil-majority towns are busy and festive.
Navam Poya
Sun 1 Feb · Islandwide (Gangaramaya, Colombo) Full moon honouring the Buddha’s two chief disciples. The Navam Perahera at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo is a huge night procession. Alcohol and meat sales restricted. Gangaramaya and the Beira Lake area are very crowded after dark.
Sun 1 Feb · Islandwide (Gangaramaya, Colombo) Full moon honouring the Buddha’s two chief disciples. The Navam Perahera at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo is a huge night procession. Alcohol and meat sales restricted. Gangaramaya and the Beira Lake area are very crowded after dark.
Independence Day
Wed 4 Feb · Islandwide (Colombo) National day with a military and cultural parade in Colombo. Road closures and tight security in central Colombo; expect diversions.
Wed 4 Feb · Islandwide (Colombo) National day with a military and cultural parade in Colombo. Road closures and tight security in central Colombo; expect diversions.
Mahasivarathri
Sun 15 Feb · Hindu temples islandwide The “Great Night of Shiva”; Hindu devotees fast and keep an all-night vigil. Public holiday; Hindu kovils busy overnight.
Sun 15 Feb · Hindu temples islandwide The “Great Night of Shiva”; Hindu devotees fast and keep an all-night vigil. Public holiday; Hindu kovils busy overnight.
Medin Poya
Mon 2 Mar · Islandwide Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit home to Kapilavastu after enlightenment. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide.
Mon 2 Mar · Islandwide Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit home to Kapilavastu after enlightenment. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide.
Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan)
Sat 21 Mar · Muslim areas islandwide Marks the end of Ramadan. Mass dawn prayers at Galle Face Green and the Red Mosque in Colombo; feasts of watalappam and biryani. Date depends on the moon sighting and may shift a day. Halal restaurants are busy and the food is superb.
Sat 21 Mar · Muslim areas islandwide Marks the end of Ramadan. Mass dawn prayers at Galle Face Green and the Red Mosque in Colombo; feasts of watalappam and biryani. Date depends on the moon sighting and may shift a day. Halal restaurants are busy and the food is superb.
Bak Poya
Wed 1 Apr · Islandwide Full moon recalling the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Wed 1 Apr · Islandwide Full moon recalling the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Good Friday
Fri 3 Apr · Christian areas (Negombo, west coast) Christian commemoration; Passion plays in Catholic towns like Negombo and Duwa. Public holiday.
Fri 3 Apr · Christian areas (Negombo, west coast) Christian commemoration; Passion plays in Catholic towns like Negombo and Duwa. Public holiday.
Sinhala & Tamil New Year
Tue 14 Apr · Islandwide The island’s biggest festival (Apr 13 to 14), a solar new year shared by Sinhalese and Tamils. Hearth-lighting, milk-rice (kiribath), sweets (kavum, kokis), traditional games and the auspicious-times (nekath) rituals. Near-total shutdown for several days: shops, transport and attractions close and cities empty as people travel home. The neutral “nonagathe” period pauses everything. Sort out food, cash and transport in advance and book early.
Tue 14 Apr · Islandwide The island’s biggest festival (Apr 13 to 14), a solar new year shared by Sinhalese and Tamils. Hearth-lighting, milk-rice (kiribath), sweets (kavum, kokis), traditional games and the auspicious-times (nekath) rituals. Near-total shutdown for several days: shops, transport and attractions close and cities empty as people travel home. The neutral “nonagathe” period pauses everything. Sort out food, cash and transport in advance and book early.
May Day & Vesak Poya
Fri 1 May · Islandwide Vesak is the holiest Buddhist day (the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha). Streets fill with paper lanterns, illuminated pandals and free food and drink stalls (dansala). May Day adds workers’ rallies. Two days of alcohol and meat restrictions around Vesak. Beautiful at night but very busy. Allow extra travel time around rallies.
Fri 1 May · Islandwide Vesak is the holiest Buddhist day (the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha). Streets fill with paper lanterns, illuminated pandals and free food and drink stalls (dansala). May Day adds workers’ rallies. Two days of alcohol and meat restrictions around Vesak. Beautiful at night but very busy. Allow extra travel time around rallies.
Eid al-Adha (Hajji)
Thu 28 May · Muslim areas (east coast strong) The Festival of Sacrifice. Mass prayers and communal feasts; the east coast (Kattankudy, Trincomalee) is a lively, halal-friendly base in this season. Date may shift with the moon sighting.
Thu 28 May · Muslim areas (east coast strong) The Festival of Sacrifice. Mass prayers and communal feasts; the east coast (Kattankudy, Trincomalee) is a lively, halal-friendly base in this season. Date may shift with the moon sighting.
Adhi Poson Poya
Sat 30 May · Islandwide An extra (intercalary) full moon inserted in 2026 to realign the lunar calendar. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Sat 30 May · Islandwide An extra (intercalary) full moon inserted in 2026 to realign the lunar calendar. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Poson Poya
Mon 29 Jun · Anuradhapura & Mihintale Celebrates the arrival of Buddhism on the island in the 3rd century BCE. Anuradhapura and Mihintale draw white-clad pilgrims in huge numbers. Alcohol and meat sales restricted. Anuradhapura and Mihintale are extremely crowded; book accommodation well ahead.
Mon 29 Jun · Anuradhapura & Mihintale Celebrates the arrival of Buddhism on the island in the 3rd century BCE. Anuradhapura and Mihintale draw white-clad pilgrims in huge numbers. Alcohol and meat sales restricted. Anuradhapura and Mihintale are extremely crowded; book accommodation well ahead.
Esala Poya
Wed 29 Jul · Kandy Full moon of the Esala season, tied to the Sacred Tooth Relic and the build-up to the Kandy Perahera. Alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide.
Wed 29 Jul · Kandy Full moon of the Esala season, tied to the Sacred Tooth Relic and the build-up to the Kandy Perahera. Alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide.
Kataragama Esala Festival
Sat 1 Aug · Kataragama (deep south) A famously multi-faith festival of penance and devotion (late July to mid August): fire-walking, kavadi dances and the months-long Pada Yatra barefoot pilgrimage from the north. Remote, intense and crowded; go with a guide and respect the rituals.
Sat 1 Aug · Kataragama (deep south) A famously multi-faith festival of penance and devotion (late July to mid August): fire-walking, kavadi dances and the months-long Pada Yatra barefoot pilgrimage from the north. Remote, intense and crowded; go with a guide and respect the rituals.
Nallur Festival
Sat 15 Aug · Jaffna A 25-day Hindu temple festival at the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna, with chariot processions and acts of devotion. Strict temple dress code (men often bare-chested inside). Jaffna is busy; a great window to explore the north.
Sat 15 Aug · Jaffna A 25-day Hindu temple festival at the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna, with chariot processions and acts of devotion. Strict temple dress code (men often bare-chested inside). Jaffna is busy; a great window to explore the north.
Kandy Esala Perahera
Tue 18 Aug · Kandy Asia’s most spectacular pageant: ten nights (about Aug 18 to 28) of caparisoned elephants, Kandyan dancers, drummers and fire-twirlers honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic, building to the grand Randoli Perahera on the final night. Kandy fills up completely; book rooms and grandstand seats months ahead. Dress modestly and expect late nights.
Tue 18 Aug · Kandy Asia’s most spectacular pageant: ten nights (about Aug 18 to 28) of caparisoned elephants, Kandyan dancers, drummers and fire-twirlers honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic, building to the grand Randoli Perahera on the final night. Kandy fills up completely; book rooms and grandstand seats months ahead. Dress modestly and expect late nights.
Milad-Un-Nabi
Wed 26 Aug · Muslim areas The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Public holiday.
Wed 26 Aug · Muslim areas The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Public holiday.
Nikini Poya
Thu 27 Aug · Islandwide Marks the start of the monks’ rainy-season retreat (vassana). Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Thu 27 Aug · Islandwide Marks the start of the monks’ rainy-season retreat (vassana). Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Binara Poya
Sat 26 Sep · Islandwide Commemorates the founding of the order of Buddhist nuns. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Sat 26 Sep · Islandwide Commemorates the founding of the order of Buddhist nuns. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Vap Poya
Sun 25 Oct · Islandwide Ends the monks’ retreat and opens the Kathina robe-offering season. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Sun 25 Oct · Islandwide Ends the monks’ retreat and opens the Kathina robe-offering season. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted.
Deepavali (Diwali)
Sun 8 Nov · Hindu areas islandwide The Hindu festival of lights; homes and kovils glow with oil lamps and rangoli. Public holiday; Hindu areas festive and bright. in 1d
Sun 8 Nov · Hindu areas islandwide The Hindu festival of lights; homes and kovils glow with oil lamps and rangoli. Public holiday; Hindu areas festive and bright. in 1d
Ill Poya
Tue 24 Nov · Islandwide Recalls the Buddha sending out the first sixty disciples to spread the teaching. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 17d
Tue 24 Nov · Islandwide Recalls the Buddha sending out the first sixty disciples to spread the teaching. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 17d
Unduvap Poya
Wed 23 Dec · Anuradhapura Celebrates the arrival of the sacred Bo-sapling (Sri Maha Bodhi) with Sanghamitta Theri. Also opens the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 46d
Wed 23 Dec · Anuradhapura Celebrates the arrival of the sacred Bo-sapling (Sri Maha Bodhi) with Sanghamitta Theri. Also opens the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 46d
Christmas Day
Fri 25 Dec · Islandwide Widely celebrated; lights and festivities in Colombo, Negombo and the hills. Public holiday; hotels busy over the Christmas and New Year peak. in 48d
Fri 25 Dec · Islandwide Widely celebrated; lights and festivities in Colombo, Negombo and the hills. Public holiday; hotels busy over the Christmas and New Year peak. in 48d
Tamil Thai Pongal
Fri 15 Jan · North, East & Tamil areas Tamil harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God Surya. A new clay pot of rice, milk and jaggery is boiled until it overflows to the cry of “Pongalo Pongal”, and kolam patterns decorate doorsteps. Full public and mercantile holiday, so most shops close. Falls on a Friday in 2027, making a natural long weekend; Jaffna and hill-country estate towns are at their most festive. in 69d
Fri 15 Jan · North, East & Tamil areas Tamil harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God Surya. A new clay pot of rice, milk and jaggery is boiled until it overflows to the cry of “Pongalo Pongal”, and kolam patterns decorate doorsteps. Full public and mercantile holiday, so most shops close. Falls on a Friday in 2027, making a natural long weekend; Jaffna and hill-country estate towns are at their most festive. in 69d
Duruthu Poya
Fri 22 Jan · Islandwide (Kelaniya) Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit to the island, celebrated with the grand Duruthu Perahera at Kelaniya near Colombo. Public holiday. Alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide; another Friday long weekend, so beaches and hill towns fill with local travellers. in 76d
Fri 22 Jan · Islandwide (Kelaniya) Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit to the island, celebrated with the grand Duruthu Perahera at Kelaniya near Colombo. Public holiday. Alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide; another Friday long weekend, so beaches and hill towns fill with local travellers. in 76d
Independence Day
Thu 4 Feb · Islandwide (Colombo) National day marking independence in 1948, with a military and cultural parade in Colombo. Road closures and tight security in central Colombo. Falls on a Thursday; many locals bridge Friday for a four day weekend, so book popular spots early. in 89d
Thu 4 Feb · Islandwide (Colombo) National day marking independence in 1948, with a military and cultural parade in Colombo. Road closures and tight security in central Colombo. Falls on a Thursday; many locals bridge Friday for a four day weekend, so book popular spots early. in 89d
Navam Poya
Sat 20 Feb · Islandwide (Gangaramaya, Colombo) Full moon honouring the Buddha’s two chief disciples; the Navam Perahera lights up Gangaramaya and the Beira Lake area. Alcohol and meat sales restricted. Gangaramaya area very crowded after dark. in 105d
Sat 20 Feb · Islandwide (Gangaramaya, Colombo) Full moon honouring the Buddha’s two chief disciples; the Navam Perahera lights up Gangaramaya and the Beira Lake area. Alcohol and meat sales restricted. Gangaramaya area very crowded after dark. in 105d
Mahasivarathri
Sat 6 Mar · Hindu temples islandwide The Great Night of Shiva; devotees fast and keep an all-night vigil at kovils. Public holiday; Hindu kovils busy overnight. in 119d
Sat 6 Mar · Hindu temples islandwide The Great Night of Shiva; devotees fast and keep an all-night vigil at kovils. Public holiday; Hindu kovils busy overnight. in 119d
Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan)
Wed 10 Mar · Muslim areas islandwide Marks the end of Ramadan with mass dawn prayers and feasting; the eastern towns such as Kattankudy celebrate on a grand scale. Date depends on the moon sighting and may shift a day either way. Halal restaurants are busy and the festive food is superb. in 123d
Wed 10 Mar · Muslim areas islandwide Marks the end of Ramadan with mass dawn prayers and feasting; the eastern towns such as Kattankudy celebrate on a grand scale. Date depends on the moon sighting and may shift a day either way. Halal restaurants are busy and the festive food is superb. in 123d
Medin Poya
Mon 22 Mar · Islandwide Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit home to Kapilavastu after enlightenment. Public holiday on a Monday, so a natural long weekend. Alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide. in 135d
Mon 22 Mar · Islandwide Full moon marking the Buddha’s first visit home to Kapilavastu after enlightenment. Public holiday on a Monday, so a natural long weekend. Alcohol and meat sales restricted island-wide. in 135d
Good Friday
Fri 26 Mar · Christian areas (Negombo, west coast) Christian commemoration; Passion plays in Catholic towns like Negombo and Duwa. Public holiday and another long weekend; west coast churches and beach towns busy. in 139d
Fri 26 Mar · Christian areas (Negombo, west coast) Christian commemoration; Passion plays in Catholic towns like Negombo and Duwa. Public holiday and another long weekend; west coast churches and beach towns busy. in 139d
Sinhala & Tamil New Year
Wed 14 Apr · Islandwide The island’s biggest festival (Apr 13 to 14 in 2027), a shared solar new year. Hearth-lighting at astrologically set times, milk-rice, sweets, traditional games and family reunions. Near-total shutdown for several days as the island travels home: shops, restaurants and transport thin out and hotels in Nuwara Eliya and the south coast hit peak prices. Book weeks ahead and keep cash, food and transport sorted before the 13th. in 158d
Wed 14 Apr · Islandwide The island’s biggest festival (Apr 13 to 14 in 2027), a shared solar new year. Hearth-lighting at astrologically set times, milk-rice, sweets, traditional games and family reunions. Near-total shutdown for several days as the island travels home: shops, restaurants and transport thin out and hotels in Nuwara Eliya and the south coast hit peak prices. Book weeks ahead and keep cash, food and transport sorted before the 13th. in 158d
Bak Poya
Tue 20 Apr · Islandwide Full moon recalling the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. Comes right after New Year week, so domestic travel stays heavy. in 164d
Tue 20 Apr · Islandwide Full moon recalling the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. Comes right after New Year week, so domestic travel stays heavy. in 164d
May Day
Sat 1 May · Islandwide (Colombo) International Workers’ Day, marked by large union rallies and marches in the cities. Expect road closures and slow traffic around rallies in Colombo and Kandy. in 175d
Sat 1 May · Islandwide (Colombo) International Workers’ Day, marked by large union rallies and marches in the cities. Expect road closures and slow traffic around rallies in Colombo and Kandy. in 175d
Eid al-Adha (Hadji)
Mon 17 May · Muslim areas islandwide The Islamic Feast of Sacrifice, aligned with the Hajj pilgrimage. Date subject to the moon sighting. Falls on a Monday and opens an unusual week: with Vesak two days later, two leave days can turn mid-May 2027 into a nine day break for locals, so expect heavy domestic travel. in 191d
Mon 17 May · Muslim areas islandwide The Islamic Feast of Sacrifice, aligned with the Hajj pilgrimage. Date subject to the moon sighting. Falls on a Monday and opens an unusual week: with Vesak two days later, two leave days can turn mid-May 2027 into a nine day break for locals, so expect heavy domestic travel. in 191d
Vesak Poya
Wed 19 May · Islandwide The holiest Buddhist day, marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Lanterns, towering lit pandals and free food stalls (dansal) fill the streets for two nights. Vesak day plus the following day are both holidays with alcohol and meat restrictions. Colombo around Beira Lake and Gangaramaya is spectacular but extremely crowded after dark. in 193d
Wed 19 May · Islandwide The holiest Buddhist day, marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Lanterns, towering lit pandals and free food stalls (dansal) fill the streets for two nights. Vesak day plus the following day are both holidays with alcohol and meat restrictions. Colombo around Beira Lake and Gangaramaya is spectacular but extremely crowded after dark. in 193d
Day after Vesak
Thu 20 May · Islandwide The second day of Vesak observance; pandals and dansal continue islandwide. Full holiday with continued alcohol and meat restrictions. The mid-May 2027 cluster (Hadji, Vesak and this day) creates the year’s biggest domestic travel surge outside New Year. in 194d
Thu 20 May · Islandwide The second day of Vesak observance; pandals and dansal continue islandwide. Full holiday with continued alcohol and meat restrictions. The mid-May 2027 cluster (Hadji, Vesak and this day) creates the year’s biggest domestic travel surge outside New Year. in 194d
Poson Poya
Fri 18 Jun · Anuradhapura & Mihintale Commemorates the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura and the Mihintale rock become the centre of a vast white-clad pilgrimage. Friday holiday and long weekend. Accommodation around Anuradhapura books out completely and roads into the Cultural Triangle crawl; visit the ancient city another week unless you want the pilgrimage itself. in 223d
Fri 18 Jun · Anuradhapura & Mihintale Commemorates the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura and the Mihintale rock become the centre of a vast white-clad pilgrimage. Friday holiday and long weekend. Accommodation around Anuradhapura books out completely and roads into the Cultural Triangle crawl; visit the ancient city another week unless you want the pilgrimage itself. in 223d
Esala Poya
Sun 18 Jul · Kandy Full moon of the Esala season, tied to the Kandy Esala Perahera, the island’s grandest procession of drummers, dancers and lit elephants. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. Kandy hotel rates double or more around Perahera nights, so book months ahead. in 253d
Sun 18 Jul · Kandy Full moon of the Esala season, tied to the Kandy Esala Perahera, the island’s grandest procession of drummers, dancers and lit elephants. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. Kandy hotel rates double or more around Perahera nights, so book months ahead. in 253d
Milad-Un-Nabi
Sun 15 Aug · Muslim areas The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Public and mercantile holiday, followed the next day by Nikini Poya, so most of the island takes a long weekend. in 281d
Sun 15 Aug · Muslim areas The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Public and mercantile holiday, followed the next day by Nikini Poya, so most of the island takes a long weekend. in 281d
Nikini Poya
Mon 16 Aug · Islandwide Marks the start of the monks’ rainy-season retreat (vassana). Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. Back to back with Milad-Un-Nabi, expect busy east coast beaches and hill towns. in 282d
Mon 16 Aug · Islandwide Marks the start of the monks’ rainy-season retreat (vassana). Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. Back to back with Milad-Un-Nabi, expect busy east coast beaches and hill towns. in 282d
Binara Poya
Wed 15 Sep · Islandwide Commemorates the founding of the order of Buddhist nuns. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 312d
Wed 15 Sep · Islandwide Commemorates the founding of the order of Buddhist nuns. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 312d
Vap Poya
Fri 15 Oct · Islandwide Ends the monks’ retreat and opens the Kathina robe-offering season. Friday holiday and long weekend; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 342d
Fri 15 Oct · Islandwide Ends the monks’ retreat and opens the Kathina robe-offering season. Friday holiday and long weekend; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 342d
Deepavali (Diwali)
Thu 28 Oct · Hindu areas islandwide The Hindu festival of lights. Oil lamps and rangoli brighten homes and kovils, with especially heartfelt celebrations in the tea estate villages of the hill country. Public holiday on a Thursday; many bridge Friday for a four day weekend. Hindu areas festive and bright. in 355d
Thu 28 Oct · Hindu areas islandwide The Hindu festival of lights. Oil lamps and rangoli brighten homes and kovils, with especially heartfelt celebrations in the tea estate villages of the hill country. Public holiday on a Thursday; many bridge Friday for a four day weekend. Hindu areas festive and bright. in 355d
Il Poya
Sat 13 Nov · Islandwide Recalls the Buddha sending out the first sixty disciples to spread the teaching. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 371d
Sat 13 Nov · Islandwide Recalls the Buddha sending out the first sixty disciples to spread the teaching. Public holiday; alcohol and meat sales restricted. in 371d
Unduvap Poya
Mon 13 Dec · Anuradhapura Celebrates the arrival of the sacred Bo-sapling with Sanghamitta Theri. Traditionally opens the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season. Monday holiday and long weekend; alcohol and meat sales restricted. The Adam’s Peak trail lights up from this week until Vesak. in 401d
Mon 13 Dec · Anuradhapura Celebrates the arrival of the sacred Bo-sapling with Sanghamitta Theri. Traditionally opens the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season. Monday holiday and long weekend; alcohol and meat sales restricted. The Adam’s Peak trail lights up from this week until Vesak. in 401d
Christmas Day
Sat 25 Dec · Islandwide Widely celebrated; lights and festivities in Colombo, Negombo and the hills. Public holiday at the heart of the coastal Super Peak. Hotels apply peak supplements and compulsory festive dinners from about Dec 20 to Jan 15, so book early and read the fine print. in 413d
Sat 25 Dec · Islandwide Widely celebrated; lights and festivities in Colombo, Negombo and the hills. Public holiday at the heart of the coastal Super Peak. Hotels apply peak supplements and compulsory festive dinners from about Dec 20 to Jan 15, so book early and read the fine print. in 413d
Poya days restrict alcohol and meat sales island-wide. Dates follow the lunar calendar and gazetted public holidays; confirm before finalising travel around a specific date.