St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade

කොච්චිකාඩේ ශාන්ත අන්තෝනි සිල්ලාල

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Religious & SpiritualColombo/Kochchikade
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThe feast's cross-religious following is its
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: LKR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade in Colombo/Kochchikade

Colombo's Kochchikade district hosts one of the country's most widely attended church feasts each June 13, honouring St. Anthony of Padua at a national basilica founded in 1806. A ten-day novena beginning with a June 3 flag hoisting builds to a street procession of the saint's statue, drawing Catholics and people of other faiths alike from across the city.

A weather-worn statue carried from Goa in 1822 anchors one of Colombo's busiest annual gatherings, the feast of St.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The feast's cross-religious following is its most notable feature: Hindu and Buddhist devotees turn out in large numbers alongside Catholics, many citing personal vows fulfilled through prayers to St

02

The mystery stays covered

Marching bands and choirboys precede the statue through Kochchikade's streets in a procession that briefly turns the harbourside neighbourhood into a single moving congregation

03

The city starts moving

The shrine's history as a target during the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks has given the ongoing feast an added note of communal resilience and heightened security each year

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The flag hoisting on June 3

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the nightly novenas

The sacred route

Living ritual

the June 12 vespers

The local code

Living ritual

and the feast-day procession of St

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Anthony's statue through Kochchikade are the core rituals

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Many devotees also light candles or leave written petitions at the shrine as part of ongoing personal devotions tied to the saint

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade, plan transport around the exact Colombo/Kochchikade venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Modest attire is appropriate given the religious setting, with many devotees wearing white or the saint's brown and yellow colours. Light, breathable clothing suits Colombo's coastal...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

For St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade, stay near the part of Colombo/Kochchikade you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

LKR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map6.94 N, 79.85 EOpen in Google Maps

Colombo/Kochchikade, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Nearest airportRML — Colombo Ratmalana
TransportFor St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade, plan transport around the exact Colombo/Kochchikade venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade, stay near the part of Colombo/Kochchikade you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Colombo/Kochchikade via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Colombo/Kochchikade, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearModest attire is appropriate given the religious setting, with many devotees wearing white or the saint's brown and yellow colours. Light, breathable clothing suits Colombo's coastal humidity, and comfortable shoes help for standing or walking during the procession.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Sri Lanka and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade?

St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade is listed for June · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does St Anthony's Feast Kochchikade take place?

The festival is listed in Colombo/Kochchikade, Sri Lanka. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Colombo/Kochchikade, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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