Introduction
Onam — Kerala’s Biggest Celebration (August/September)
- Homes and boat jetties decorated with pookalam — intricate flower carpets laid at doorsteps
- Villages preparing for the Onasadya, a grand feast served on a banana leaf with over a dozen traditional dishes
- A general air of festivity in every backwater village you pass, with music, decorations, and community gatherings
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race (August)
No Alleppey festival is more famous than the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held annually on Punnamada Lake, just a short distance from where most houseboat cruises begin. Massive snake boats (chundan vallams), each rowed by over 100 oarsmen, race down the lake to the rhythm of traditional boat songs, cheered on by thousands of spectators lining the banks.
If your cruise dates overlap with the race, it’s worth building in time to watch — the atmosphere on the water that day is unlike anything else in Kerala. Even outside race day, you’ll often spot snake boat crews practicing on the backwaters in the weeks leading up to it, oars cutting through the water in perfect rhythm.
Vallam Kali Season — Boat Races Across the Backwaters
The Nehru Trophy is the most famous, but it’s part of a broader tradition of Vallam Kali (boat races) held across various backwater villages throughout the monsoon and post-monsoon months. Smaller local races, often tied to temple festivals, take place on lakes and canals around Alleppey and Kuttanad. Cruising through the region during this season means a good chance of catching local crews training, or a village race in full swing.
Christmas and New Year on the Backwaters
For a completely different mood, an overnight houseboat cruise around Christmas and New Year offers a quiet, festive alternative to crowded city celebrations. Many boats are decorated for the season, and there’s something genuinely special about spending New Year’s Eve anchored on a peaceful backwater, away from the noise, with dinner served on deck under the stars.
Village Temple and Church Festivals
Alleppey and the surrounding Kuttanad region are dotted with village temples and churches, many of which hold their own local festivals throughout the year — complete with processions, music, and decorated boats used to carry deities or relics across the water. These are smaller, more local affairs than Onam or the boat race, but they offer an authentic glimpse of everyday backwater life that most tourists never see. Your onboard crew, most of whom are locals themselves, can often point out what’s happening in the villages you pass.
Planning Your Cruise Around a Festival
A few tips if you want to combine your houseboat trip with a festival:
- Book early. Onam and Nehru Trophy season (August–September) are peak travel periods in Alleppey — houseboats fill up fast.
- Choose an overnight cruise if you want to soak in the festive atmosphere in the evening, rather than just passing through during the day.
- Ask about on-board celebrations. Many operators can arrange festive meals, decorations, or adjusted routes to bring you closer to the action.
Whether it’s the roar of a snake boat race, the scent of an Onam feast drifting from a village kitchen, or the quiet glow of festive lights reflected on the water at Christmas, Alleppey’s festivals add a whole new layer to the backwater experience.
Planning a trip around Kerala’s festival season? Contact Hills and Cruise Houseboats and we’ll help you time your cruise, choose the right route, and arrange an on-board celebration to remember.
