Witness royal pageantry at Esala Perahera
Kandy, Sri Lanka • 
Popular
Popular
Best months to visit
Jul, Aug, Dec
21°C – 29°C, july sees warm temperatures with moderate rainfall, making it a more favorable time to visit, medium crowds, peak season
21°C – 29°C, july sees warm temperatures with moderate rainfall, making it a more favorable time to visit, medium crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Event not wheelchair accessible; walking required; seating available.
Event not wheelchair accessible; walking required; seating available.
Value for money
Medium
Pricey tickets, but the experience is generally amazing.
Pricey tickets, but the experience is generally amazing.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Romantic Ambiance
Couples found the festival magical, especially during the candlelit processions. Book early!
Cultural Immersion
Witnessing the traditions and the elephants together was an unforgettable experience. Truly special!
Unforgettable Spectacle
The vibrant colors and music created a truly romantic and awe-inspiring atmosphere for couples.
Overwhelming Crowds
Couples found navigating the crowds challenging; securing a good spot was difficult. Prepare.
Logistical Issues
Some couples noted the lack of clear guidance and the difficulty of finding seating together.
Pricey Tickets
Couples felt the premium seating prices were steep, especially for the experience offered.
How to book
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Hours of operation
Monday
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Experience an insightful virtual tour of Kandy Esala Perahera.
Discover the captivating highlights of Kandy Esala Perahera.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
MEDIUM
16-28°C
Warm temperatures with decreasing rainfall; average high of 28°C and low of 16°C.
Warm temperatures with decreasing rainfall; average high of 28°C and low of 16°C.
Open
High demand for accommodations and tours; early booking recommended.
High demand for accommodations and tours; early booking recommended.
Recommended
December sees a reduction in rainfall and a rise in tourist numbers, especially during the holidays. It's advisable to book accommodations and activities in advance.
December sees a reduction in rainfall and a rise in tourist numbers, especially during the holidays. It's advisable to book accommodations and activities in advance.
January
LOW
18-28°C
January in Kandy features warm temperatures with average highs around 28.3°C and lows near 18.2°C. The month experiences moderate rainfall, averaging 38mm over approximately 14 days.
January in Kandy features warm temperatures with average highs around 28.3°C and lows near 18.2°C. The month experiences moderate rainfall, averaging 38mm over approximately 14 days.
Closed
The Esala Perahera festival does not take place in January; it is traditionally held in July or August.
The Esala Perahera festival does not take place in January; it is traditionally held in July or August.
Not recommended
While January offers pleasant weather and fewer tourists, the Esala Perahera festival is not held during this month. Visitors interested in the festival should plan their trip for July or August.
While January offers pleasant weather and fewer tourists, the Esala Perahera festival is not held during this month. Visitors interested in the festival should plan their trip for July or August.
February
LOW
18-29°C
February in Kandy is characterized by warm temperatures, with average highs around 29.3°C and lows near 18.1°C. Rainfall is moderate, averaging 38mm over approximately 14 days.
February in Kandy is characterized by warm temperatures, with average highs around 29.3°C and lows near 18.1°C. Rainfall is moderate, averaging 38mm over approximately 14 days.
Closed
The Esala Perahera festival does not occur in February; it is traditionally held in July or August.
The Esala Perahera festival does not occur in February; it is traditionally held in July or August.
Not recommended
Although February offers favorable weather and fewer tourists, the Esala Perahera festival is not held during this month. Visitors interested in the festival should plan their trip for July or August.
Although February offers favorable weather and fewer tourists, the Esala Perahera festival is not held during this month. Visitors interested in the festival should plan their trip for July or August.
March
LOW
19-32°C
March in Kandy experiences warm temperatures, with average highs around 31.5°C and lows near 19.0°C. Rainfall is moderate, averaging 38mm over approximately 14 days.
March in Kandy experiences warm temperatures, with average highs around 31.5°C and lows near 19.0°C. Rainfall is moderate, averaging 38mm over approximately 14 days.
Closed
The Esala Perahera festival does not take place in March; it is traditionally held in July or August.
The Esala Perahera festival does not take place in March; it is traditionally held in July or August.
Not recommended
While March offers pleasant weather and fewer tourists, the Esala Perahera festival is not held during this month. Visitors interested in the festival should plan their trip for July or August.
While March offers pleasant weather and fewer tourists, the Esala Perahera festival is not held during this month. Visitors interested in the festival should plan their trip for July or August.
How to get there
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-hailing services like PickMe and Uber are available, dropping passengers near the city center.
Train
Recommended
Trains from Colombo's Fort Station arrive at Kandy Railway Station, a short distance from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Bus
Buses connect various parts of the country to Kandy, arriving at Kandy Good Shed Bus Station. From there, travelers can use local transport to reach the festival.
Car
Cars can be driven to Kandy via the A1 highway. Parking is available on the outskirts, with potential shuttle services to the temple.
Walking
Walking is feasible within Kandy to navigate the area around the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the procession route.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required