Week long Onam (national festival of Keralam) celebration started in Keralam
Showcasing the rhythm and elegance of Kerala’s classical, folk
and ethnic art traditions before a larger audience including tourists, the Onam Tourism Week
Celebrations commenced at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds on August 24.
Festival Highlights
- Dates: August 24–30, 2026
- Venues: Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds, Nishagandhi Auditorium, Central Stadium, Poojappura, Kovalam, Vellar Arts & Craft Village, and 100+ venues across districts.
- Artists: Over 8,000 performers across the state, with 3,000+ in Thiruvananthapuram alone.
- Programmes: More than 340 events in the capital and 170 in districts, showcasing classical, folk, ritual, and fusion art forms.
Cultural Showcases
- Traditional Ritual Arts: Padayani, Theyyam, Mudiyettu, shadow puppetry, Arjuna Nritham, Thira.
- Dance & Music: Actress Sobhana’s performance, playback singers like Unni Menon, Manjari, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, Harish Sivaramakrishnan (Agam Band), and many more.
- Special Venues: Kovalam beach tourism hub, Kerala Arts & Craft Village, and the iconic Kireedam bridge.
Dignitaries & Guests
- Inauguration (Aug 24): CM Shri VD Satheesan at Nishagandhi Auditorium.
- Valedictory (Aug 30): Grand cultural procession flagged off by Vice President Shri CP Radhakrishnan.
- Other Attendees: Kerala Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Tourism Minister Shri PC Vishnunadh, actor Kunchacko Boban (Chief Guest), Dr. Shashi Tharoor, and several ministers.
Beyond Performances
- Onam Trade Fair & Exhibition: Showcasing Kerala’s traditional crafts and products.
- Food Stalls: Regional delicacies for tourists and locals.
- Awareness Campaigns: Including Operation Toofan against drug abuse.
This year’s Onam Tourism Week is designed as both a visual treat for visitors and a strategic push to attract more foreign tourists, blending Kerala’s rich cultural heritage with modern tourism promotion.
