Festivals

Every year, thousands of pilgrims make the lofty journey to the summit of Adam’s Peak, or Samanalakande (Butterfly Mountain). Starting from Poya Day (in December) and running all the through to Vesak Festival in May the following year, worshippers don their walking boots for the grueling 7,000-foot climb to the peak’s Buddhist temple.

Both locals and tourists come to Colombo every year for Navam Perahera Festival. Perahera - meaning parade - is the focal point for all to see, with elephants, dancers and entertainers taking to the streets across two days. It’s held every full moon in February (sometimes March) near the glorious Gangaramaya Temple that overlooks the Beira Lake.

Every year for about 10 days in March, hot air balloons take to the skies above Sri Lanka, following a route covering Sigiriya, Kandy and the capital, Colombo. Participants come from all over the word to fly their colorful and unusual hot air balloons over the gorgeous Sri Lankan countryside.