The state's calendar is punctuated by vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations that bring communities together across religious lines.
* **Onam:** The harvest festival and the official state festival, celebrated with floral carpets (*pookkalam*), traditional feasts (*sadhya*), and boat races. * **Thrissur Pooram:** The grandest temple festival in Kerala, featuring a magnificent parade of caparisoned elephants and a spectacular, competitive percussion ensemble (*chenda melam*) and fireworks display. * **Vishu:** The Malayali New Year, noted for the ritual of *Vishukkani* (viewing auspicious items at dawn). * **International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK):** Held annually in Thiruvananthapuram, it is one of the premier film festivals in India.