Tourism News

Onam 2025: Kerala Gears Up for Grand Statewide Celebrations

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 384 - August 2025

Preparations for Kerala's much-awaited Onam festival are well underway, with the stage set for artists and performers to bring their talents to venues across the state.

This year’s celebrations, organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, will begin on September 3. As in previous years, the festivities will open with a state-level inaugural in Thiruvananthapuram and conclude on September 9 with a vibrant procession and cultural pageantry. Major stretches of the city, from Kowdiar to Manacaud, will be transformed into a festival zone, resplendent with elaborate lighting and decorations.

A key preparatory meeting chaired by Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister, Kerala Tourism, brought together senior ministers, MLAs, officials from multiple departments, and representatives from the police and district administration. Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan will serve as Chief Patron of the organising committee, with Minister Riyas as Chairman and Education Minister Shri V. Sivankutty as Working Chairman. Mayor Arya Rajendran and District Panchayat President D. Suresh Kumar will act as Vice Chairpersons, while the Tourism Secretary and Director will coordinate the overall execution.

Subject-specific committees and sub-committees, formed by the end of July, are tasked with ensuring the smooth running of the celebrations. The Tourism Department promises another year of diverse, high-quality programmes across Kerala, reaffirming Onam’s stature as the state’s grandest celebration of unity, tradition, and cultural pride.