Best Onam Celebration Spots Offering Exciting Events
Celebrating Onam 2024 Across Kerala's Major Cities
Onam, a vibrant and culturally rich festival, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Indian state of Kerala. Here's a guide to the best events in the major cities of Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kochi, Trivandrum, Palakkad, Kannur, and Kollam.
Thrissur
Known for its vibrant Onam festivities, Thrissur offers a unique experience with the Kummati Kali dance, featuring masked dancers covered in grass, and Theyyam performances at temples during Onam [1][2]. The city also hosts traditional cultural programs and community feasts.
Alappuzha
Famous for the iconic snake boat races (Vallam Kali) on the backwaters, Alappuzha is a must-visit during Onam celebrations, attracting visitors from across Kerala and beyond [1][2].
Kochi, Trivandrum, Palakkad, Kannur, and Kollam
These cities typically host multiple Onam sadhya feasts, cultural shows with traditional music and dance, as well as community and temple-based celebrations. Online event promotion platforms and local associations often organize lip-smacking Onam sadhyas, cultural activities for all ages, and fun competitions throughout August and September [3][5].
Special Mentions
Several events begin with curtain-raisers in late August and culminate around mid-September (notably September 5-7 in 2024), coinciding with Thiru Onam, the main Onam day [3].
To get the best on-ground experience in 2024, check local event calendars, community centres, temple schedules, and cultural organizations in each city for specific program details closer to the festival dates. Customized Onam celebrations by event organizers (such as Bella Events) are also available for booking in Kerala, which blend local traditions with modern festive elements [5].
Highlights in Each City
- Thrissur: Traditional dance performances like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and other dance structures [4]
- Alappuzha: Backwaters and boat races, a crucial part of Onam's incredible celebrations [1]
- Kochi, Trivandrum, Palakkad, Kannur, Kollam: Traditional sadhya feasts, cultural shows, community events [3][5]
The best festivities feature a mix of grand feasts, folk art performances, and water sports, aligned with the rich cultural heritage of Kerala’s Onam festival [1][2].
Additional Information
- Society music presentations and depicting parties in Kannur relate the legend of King Mahabali and the early phases of Onam.
- Onathallu, a standard military persuasion technique, is an integral part of the extraordinary Onam celebrations in rural districts such as Palakkad.
- In Trivandrum, the Onam Week Celebrations consist of seven days of merriment featuring walks, artistic performances, and introductions.
- The central motorcade in Trivandrum, including updated elephants, floats, and social performers, restores the city and highlights Kerala's rich cultural diversity.
In the upcoming Onam 2024, one can anticipate a blend of modern lifestyle and traditional celebrations in the home-and-garden settings of Kerala's cultural organizations, as they host multiple Onam sadhya feasts, cultural shows, and community events [3][5]. For travel enthusiasts, a trip to Kerala would allow them to explore various cities like Thrissur, Kochi, Trivandrum, Palakkad, Kannur, and Kollam, each offering unique Onam experiences such as traditional dance performances, backwaters, and boat races [1][2].
