January procession at the Kelaniya temple near Colombo, marking the Buddha's visit to the island.

🌙 Full moon of the Sinhala month of Duruthu, usually in January.

Island-wide new year (mid-April). Shops close and transport is very busy for several days.

The most sacred Buddhist full moon, streets lit with lanterns and free food stalls (dansala). Usually May.

🌙 Full moon of the month of Vesak, usually in May; in years with an extra lunar month it can move to late April or June.

Spectacular ten-night procession of drummers, dancers and decorated elephants in Kandy. Lunar dates, Jul–Aug.

🌙 Ten nights of processions ending on the full moon of the Sinhala month of Esala (July or August; a month later in years with a leap month).