When does the Kandy Perahera festival happen?

The Esala Perahera in Kandy happens every year in July or August, and it is timed to match the Esala full moon Poya day. The biggest procession, the Randoli Perahera, comes through in the last five nights in a really special way.

This old Buddhist celebration lasts ten days, with nights that get more and more complex, with evening processions featuring traditional dancers, fire breathers, whip crackers, and elephants decorated in very careful, beautiful ways. The exact days can move a little each year because of the lunar calendar, so when planning your visit, you should confirm the specific August full moon schedule.