Editing Colombo (section)

=== Annual cultural events and fairs ===
[[File:Vesak in SriLanka.jpg|thumbnail|Vesak Thorana in Colombo]]
[[File:Christmas1.JPG|thumbnail|Christmas Celebrations in Colombo]]
Colombo's most popular festival is the celebration of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]'s birth, enlightenment and death all falling on the same day.<ref name = "vesak"/> In Sinhala this is known as ''[[Vesak]]''.<ref name="vesak">{{cite web
| last = Venerable Mahinda
| title = Significance of Vesak
| publisher = BuddhaNet 
| url = http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm
| access-date = 2007-02-19
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070219115054/http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm
| archive-date = 2007-02-19
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
During this festival, much of the city is decorated with lanterns, lights and special displays of light (known as ''thoran''). The festival falls in mid-May and lasts a week. Many Sri Lankans visit the city to see the lantern competitions and decorations. During this week people distribute, rice, drinks and other food items for free in ''dunsal'' which means charity place. These ''dunsal'' are popular amongst visitors from the suburbs.

Since there is a large number of Muslims in Colombo. Eid Ul Fitr and Eid Ul Adha are two Islamic festivals that are celebrated in Colombo. Many businesses flourish during the eventual countdown for Eid Ul Fitr which is a major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims after a month-long fasting. Colombo is generally very busy on the eve of the festivals as people do their last-minute shopping.

Christmas is another major festival. Although Sri Lanka's Christians make up only just over 7% of the population, Christmas is one of the island's biggest festivals. Most streets and commercial buildings light up from the beginning of December and festive sales begin at all shopping centres and department stores. Caroling and nativity plays are frequent sights during the season.

The Sinhalese and Hindu Aluth Awurudda' is a cultural event that takes place on 13 and 14 April. This is the celebration of the Sinhalese and Hindu new year. The festivities include many events and traditions that display a great deal of Sri Lankan culture.
Several old clubs of the city give a glimpse of the British equestrian lifestyle; these include the [[Colombo Club]], [[Orient Club]], the 80 Club, and the [[Colombo Cricket Club]].