Kochi: Ernakulam is preparing to welcome the Kerala School Kalolsavam after a gap of two decades, with the 65th edition scheduled to be held from January 4 to 8, 2027.

Marine Drive will serve as the main venue, while competitions will be conducted across 27 venues in the district. Thousands of school students from across Kerala are expected to participate in the five-day festival.

As preparations gather pace, the organising committee met at Ernakulam Town Hall on Tuesday. General Education Minister N Shamsudheen inaugurated the meeting, which brought together elected representatives, government officials, department heads and representatives of teachers' and students' organisations to discuss arrangements for the festival.
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A festival with roots in Ernakulam

Ernakulam has a special place in the history of the Kalolsavam. The district has hosted the event five times in the past, including its inaugural edition in 1957.

The first Kerala State School Youth Festival was held at SRV High School in Ernakulam, with only around 200 students taking part. The event was then known as the School Yuvajanolsavam.

The concept of a school-level youth festival is credited to Dr C S Venkiteswaran, who was Kerala's director of public instruction in 1956. According to the district education department, Venkiteswaran was inspired by an inter-university festival he attended in Delhi and subsequently introduced the idea at the school level.

The inaugural festival was opened by then Education Minister Joseph Mundassery. Participation was directly from schools, with lunch and tea provided for the students.

Ernakulam's previous editions

The popularity of the festival grew over the years, with more competition items being added and the duration of the event increasing.

After hosting the inaugural edition, Ernakulam staged the 17th edition in 1977, followed by the 23rd in 1983, the 25th in 1985, the 37th in 1997 and the 46th in 2006.

The upcoming edition will therefore mark the festival's return to the district after a 20-year interval.
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Kannur won the previous gold cup

The previous Kerala School Kalolsavam was held in Thrissur in January 2026. Kannur emerged as the overall champion, securing the gold cup with 1,028 points.

Thrissur finished second. 

The 2026 edition saw around 14,000 students compete in nearly 249 events across 25 venues. It was held under the theme 'Responsible Kalolsavam', with organisers highlighting responsible consumption, food habits and responsible competition.

School sports meet in Kozhikode

Meanwhile, the State School Sports Meet will be held in Kozhikode from October 24 to 29, 2026.

The NIT ground will be the main venue, with more than 10,000 students expected to participate in the sporting event.