Tourism News

Onam Week Celebrations 2025 to Begin Across Kerala with Grand Inaugural in Thiruvananthapuram

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 385 - September 2025

Thiruvananthapuram is gearing up for a week of festivities as Kerala’s annual Onam Week Celebrations, organised by the Government of Kerala, open on September 3 and continue until September 9. Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the state-level celebrations at the Nishagandhi Open Air Auditorium at 6 pm. Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister, Kerala Tourism, will preside over the opening function, with other dignitaries including Minister for General Education and Labour Shri V Sivankutty, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Shri G R Anil, Leader of the Opposition Shri V D Satheesan, Mayor Smt Arya Rajendran, MPs, MLAs, and senior officials in attendance.

Revving up the festive mood set by the Onam season, Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas had earlier switched on the festival lights at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds, hoisted the Onam flag, and inaugurated the food festival at the Sooryakanthi Exhibition Ground. Minister for General Education and Labour Shri V Sivankutty, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Shri G R Anil, Shri A. A. Raheem MP, MLAs Shri C K Hareendran, Shri I B Satheesh, Shri V K Prashanth, and Smt Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism, were among those present. A tug-of-war at Central Stadium with the participation of MLAs, city corporation employees, district panchayat members, government secretariat staff, and media personnel added to the spirit of inclusivity. Rows of lights now illuminate the city thoroughfares, setting a vibrant backdrop for the celebrations.

The inaugural ceremony will be followed by a grand musical night, featuring cultural programmes anchored by leading artists. Chief guests for the evening include acclaimed filmmaker and actor Shri Basil Joseph and Tamil actor Shri Jayam Ravi. A highlight of the week-long celebrations is the participation of around 10,000 artists from across Kerala and other states, presenting a diverse range of performances including classical, folk, ethnic, and martial arts.

In Thiruvananthapuram district alone, events will be staged at 33 venues, from Central Stadium and Poojappura Maidan to Varkala and Nedumangad. The festival spirit will be enhanced with the Athapookkalam contest at Jawahar Balabhavan and illuminated cityscapes throughout the week. Music concerts by renowned singers including Vineeth Sreenivasan, Sitara Krishnakumar, Vidhu Prathap, Remya Nambeesan, and Suraj Venjaramood will be among the highlights, along with comedy shows, dance performances, and band concerts.

The week will culminate on September 9 with a spectacular cultural pageantry from Vellayambalam to East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, featuring around 150 floats. Strictly adhering to green protocol, the procession will allow thousands of spectators to enjoy Kerala’s cultural vibrancy at various vantage points. With coordination from the Tourism Department, DTPCs, and district administrations, celebrations will also spread across other districts, making Onam Week 2025 a truly state-wide cultural extravaganza.