Days off, plans ahead

Sri Lanka public holidays 2026 and 2027Your calendar and travel weather

Choose a holiday, connect it with a weekend and compare cities. Explore temperatures, rainfall and the surrounding days using NASA POWER weather history.

Upcoming opportunities for a trip

NASA POWER | 1981-2025

Weather for holidays and long weekends

Choose your dates and city. Compare the same calendar dates across previous years.

Calendar year
Holiday or holiday period
City or region
Dates to compare
Compare with history
Weekend days in the planner: Saturday and Sunday
Weekend days in the planner

The planner combines this country's public holidays with your selected weekend days. Leave days are the remaining working days within the trip.

Colombo | Weather history 2016-2025

Deepavali

Nov 7 - Nov 8 2026

2Trip length in days
0Leave days
Average daytime high28.7°C
Average daily low24.5°C
Days with rainfall >=1 mm2 / 2
Whole period with under 1 mm of rain per day0%

Warm days. Compare daily lows and rainfall frequency too. 10 complete periods | 2016-2025.

Weather day by day

Average highs and lows for each date. The rainfall percentage shows how often at least 1 mm fell on that date in previous years.

SatNov 7
Weekend
29°25°
Rainfall >=1 mm100%
SunNov 8
Public holiday
29°25°
Rainfall >=1 mm100%
Forecast within your dates
Nov 728° / 26°8.6 mmNov 828° / 26°12.8 mm
City forecast: ColomboWeather this month
Nov 7 - Nov 8 | Weather history

Where to spend these dates?

Compare the same dates across the cities shown. Select a city to see its day-by-day details.

Colombo

Average daytime high28.7°C
Average daily low24.5°C
Days with rainfall >=1 mm
2 / 2
Total rainfall
24.9 mm
City forecast

Trincomalee

Average daytime high28.6°C
Average daily low26°C
Days with rainfall >=1 mm
1.9 / 2
Total rainfall
24.7 mm
City forecast

Jaffna

Average daytime high28.5°C
Average daily low26.9°C
Days with rainfall >=1 mm
2 / 2
Total rainfall
27.1 mm
City forecast

Galle

Average daytime high28.3°C
Average daily low26.7°C
Days with rainfall >=1 mm
2 / 2
Total rainfall
25.2 mm
City forecast

Kandy

Average daytime high28.2°C
Average daily low21.8°C
Days with rainfall >=1 mm
1.7 / 2
Total rainfall
23.5 mm
City forecast
Colombo | 2026

Long weekends and short-break ideas

This overview combines days off with weather history for your selected city. Leave days follow your planner settings.

DatesTrip length in daysLeave daysAverage daytime highDays with rainfall >=1 mmWeather
Jan 15 - Jan 18Tamil Thai Pongal Day4128.9°C1.8 / 4Explore the weather
Jan 31 - Feb 4Navam Full Moon Poya Day / Independence Day5229.6°C2 / 5Explore the weather
Feb 28 - Mar 2Medin Full Moon Poya Day3030.3°C1.6 / 3Explore the weather
Apr 1 - Apr 5Bak Full Moon Poya Day / Good Friday5130.7°C3.9 / 5Explore the weather
Apr 3 - Apr 5Good Friday3030.7°C2.5 / 3Explore the weather
Apr 11 - Apr 14Eve of Sinhala and Tamil New Year / Sinhala and Tamil New Year4030.6°C3.8 / 4Explore the weather
May 1 - May 3Labour Day / Vesak Full Moon Poya Day / Day after Vesak3030.1°C2.8 / 3Explore the weather
May 28 - May 31Eid al-Adha / Adhi Poson Full Moon Poya Day4128.8°C3.8 / 4Explore the weather
Jun 27 - Jun 29Poson Full Moon Poya Day3028.4°C2.2 / 3Explore the weather
Jul 25 - Jul 29Esala Full Moon Poya Day5228.1°C3.1 / 5Explore the weather
Aug 26 - Aug 30Mawlid / Nikini Full Moon Poya Day5128.2°C3.6 / 5Explore the weather
Nov 21 - Nov 24Il Full Moon Poya Day4128.7°C3.4 / 4Explore the weather
Dec 23 - Dec 27Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day / Christmas Day5128.7°C2.8 / 5Explore the weather
Dec 25 - Dec 27Christmas Day3028.8°C1.8 / 3Explore the weather

Weather history: Latest 10 years | Weekend days in the planner: Saturday and Sunday.

Full public-holiday calendar

Calendar coverage: The 2026 and 2027 calendars are complete for nationwide days off identified by the official sources.

2026

DateDayHolidayNotesWeather
3 JanuarySaturdayDuruthu Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
15 JanuaryThursdayTamil Thai Pongal DayExplore the weather
1 FebruarySundayNavam Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
4 FebruaryWednesdayIndependence DayExplore the weather
15 FebruarySundayMaha Shivaratri DayExplore the weather
2 MarchMondayMedin Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
21 MarchSaturdayEid al-FitrExplore the weather
1 AprilWednesdayBak Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
3 AprilFridayGood FridayExplore the weather
13 AprilMondayEve of Sinhala and Tamil New YearExplore the weather
14 AprilTuesdaySinhala and Tamil New YearExplore the weather
1 MayFridayLabour Day / Vesak Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
2 MaySaturdayDay after VesakExplore the weather
28 MayThursdayEid al-AdhaExplore the weather
30 MaySaturdayAdhi Poson Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
29 JuneMondayPoson Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
29 JulyWednesdayEsala Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
26 AugustWednesdayMawlidExplore the weather
27 AugustThursdayNikini Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
26 SeptemberSaturdayBinara Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
25 OctoberSundayVap Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
8 NovemberSundayDeepavaliExplore the weather
24 NovemberTuesdayIl Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
23 DecemberWednesdayUnduvap Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
25 DecemberFridayChristmas DayExplore the weather

2027

DateDayHolidayNotesWeather
15 JanuaryFridayTamil Thai Pongal DayExplore the weather
22 JanuaryFridayDuruthu Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
4 FebruaryThursdayIndependence DayExplore the weather
20 FebruarySaturdayNavam Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
6 MarchSaturdayMaha Shivaratri DayExplore the weather
10 MarchWednesdayEid al-FitrExplore the weather
22 MarchMondayMedin Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
26 MarchFridayGood FridayExplore the weather
13 AprilTuesdayEve of Sinhala and Tamil New YearExplore the weather
14 AprilWednesdaySinhala and Tamil New YearExplore the weather
20 AprilTuesdayBak Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
1 MaySaturdayLabour DayExplore the weather
17 MayMondayEid al-AdhaExplore the weather
19 MayWednesdayVesak Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
20 MayThursdayDay after VesakExplore the weather
18 JuneFridayPoson Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
18 JulySundayEsala Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
15 AugustSundayMawlidExplore the weather
16 AugustMondayNikini Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
15 SeptemberWednesdayBinara Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
15 OctoberFridayVap Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
28 OctoberThursdayDeepavaliExplore the weather
13 NovemberSaturdayIl Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
13 DecemberMondayUnduvap Full Moon Poya DayExplore the weather
25 DecemberSaturdayChristmas DayExplore the weather

Which periods affect travel most?

Sinhala and Tamil New Year

On 13-14 April many people travel to their families. Offices and some businesses close, while transport can be considerably busier.

Vesak

Vesak and the following day form a major religious period. Streets are decorated, but some everyday commercial services operate reduced hours.

Monthly Poya days

Every full moon is a public holiday. Official tourism guidance notes that some shops and businesses close and alcohol sales are not permitted.

Shops, transport and attractions

  • Government offices, banks and schools generally close; private businesses set their own hours.
  • Alcohol sales are not permitted on Poya days, and some shops and businesses close.
  • Trains, buses, ferries and domestic flights may sell out faster; buy tickets ahead for the key holiday periods.

Local customs and etiquette

Poya days are religious observances. Dress modestly at temples, remove footwear where required and do not pose with your back to images of the Buddha.

How to plan your trip

  1. Reserve accommodation and key journeys earlier than usual.
  2. Two or three days before a visit, check the official hours of the attraction or operator.
  3. Check dress and behaviour rules for places of worship.

Combine the calendar with the weather

Check the 14-day forecast, monthly climate and best time to visit Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka weather

NASA POWER | 1981-2025

How do we compare holiday weather?

We use daily NASA POWER data for the coordinates of the cities shown. Each trip is compared using the same calendar dates from 1981-2025. We include complete periods, including those crossing December and January. "Latest 10 years" selects the ten most recent complete periods.

Daytime temperature is the average of daily highs, and the low is the average of daily lows. Rainfall is the average total for the whole period. Wet days have at least 1 mm of rain. The dry-period percentage counts years when every day had less than 1 mm.

Holiday dates come from this country's calendar for the selected year. For moving holidays, weather history covers the dates shown in that calendar. Estimated dates are labelled beside the holiday name.

NASA POWER Daily API

Sources and data coverage

The 2026 and 2027 calendars are complete for nationwide days off identified by the official sources. Calendar data checked: 13 July 2026.

Travel-advice sources

Other holiday calendars for travellers

Questions about weather and days off

How can I check the weather for a long weekend?
Choose a year, holiday and city, then select "Long weekend". The planner displays your dates, leave days and historical temperatures and rainfall. The city link opens the current forecast.
What does the dry-period percentage mean?
It is the share of complete periods with less than 1 mm of rain on every day. For example, 40% over the latest 10 years means four such periods out of ten.
How can I compare the days around a holiday?
Select "Holiday + 2 days before and after". Each date has its own average high, low and rainfall frequency to help plan an earlier arrival or later return.
Is it worth visiting Sri Lanka during public holidays?
This can be culturally rewarding, but the daily plan must allow for closures and religious observance.
Do shops and public transport operate on holidays in Sri Lanka?
Government offices, banks and schools generally close; private businesses set their own hours. Alcohol sales are not permitted on Poya days, and some shops and businesses close. Trains, buses, ferries and domestic flights may sell out faster; buy tickets ahead for the key holiday periods.
Can religious holiday dates change?
Yes. Dates based on a lunar calendar may be confirmed or adjusted by the relevant authorities. We label such entries as estimates and recommend checking again before departure.
BANK HOLIDAYS, SCHOOL BREAKS AND WEATHER

UK bank holidays 2026 and 2027

Bank holidays and school breaks open up time for a city escape or a longer holiday. Compare familiar destinations from France and Portugal to Spain, Greece and the Canary Islands, with weather for the dates you have free.

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