Kanathurkavu Utsavam
Kanathurkavu is an ancient Hindu temple situated in the heart of Kannur. Originally the temple was dedicated to the Goddess Mahadevi and but later to Sree Rama. The annual festival of this temple is celebrated in April. 'Theyyattom' is the main performance during the festival.

Theyyam Festival 
Theyyam or Theyattam is a popular colorful ritual dance and an ancient art form of Malabar in North Kerala. It is also known as 'Kaliyattom' which means a sacred dance performance for goddess Kali. Kannur can rightly be termed as the birth place of Theyyam. Theyyam festival at Kannur also known as Theyyams at Kanathoor, is a colorful event that attracts a number of people from all over the world. Season of Theyyam starts from the Malayalam month of Thulam (October-November) and continues till Edavam (May-June). During the festival season, varieties of Theyyam are performed at various temples. There are around 400 Theyyam characters, and some among them are the Rakthachamundi, Makkappothi, Puliyoru Kannan, Pottan, Kathivanur Veeran, Muchhilottu Bhagavathi, Palothu Daivam, Vishnumurthy, Puthiya Bhagavathi, Vayanattu Kulavan etc. Sree Muthappan Temple at Parassinikadavu (18kms from Kannur) is famous for the 'Muthappan Theyyam' performed every day.

Theyyam is performed by male members of particular castes like Malayan, Pulayan, Vannan, Anjoottan, Munnutton, Velan, Chungathan, Koppalan and Mayilon. It is a wonderful amalgamation of dance, mime and music which is accompanied with the musical instruments like Chenda, veekku chenda, elathalam and kurumkuzhal. Colourful costume and make-up are used in Theyyam dances. During the Theyyams performance, the singer portrays the thought provoking images through his dance steps and loud voice.

Trichambaram Utsavam
Trichambaram Krishna Temple, situated 20 km from Kannur, is the venue of the Thrichambaram Mahotsavam. The 14 day long annual festival commences in the month of Kumbham-Meenam (February-March) and is usually held from Kumbam 22 to Meenam 6 of the Malayalam calendar. It is a colourful event attended by thousands of pilgrims from all over the state. The main deity of the Trichambaram temple is Shri Krishna. During the festival, the statue of Lord Balrama, Krishna's brother is brought from Dharmikulangara Temple at Mazhoor. The idol of Balrama remains in the Trichambaram temple till the end of the festival and they are said to play together. On the last day of the festival is the 'Kootupiriyal' ceremony that represents the separation of the brothers Krishna and Balrama. The prominent feature of the festival is the 'ayiram appam', a special kind of sweet offering made in thousands by the Namboothiri (a high caste) women. This is the only temple in Kerala where women from Namboothiri families prepare the offering.

Kazhakam Temple Poorotsavam, Thrikkaripur
A nine day 'Poorotsavam' is held every year in the Kazhakam temple at Thrikkaripur, located 40 kms. north of Kannur town. The main highlight of the festival that lasts for nine days, is the 'Poorakkali' - an important ritual and entertaining art.

Ekadashi Utsavam at Sree Krishna Temple, Mahe
This temple at Mahe has Lord Krishna as the presiding deity. The Annual festival of the temple known as 'Ekadasi Utsavam' is an eight day event. On the last day of the festival, devotees observe fast and assemble in the temple for worship. The most important event on this day is a procession of three caparisoned elephants in the evening accompanied by thousands of devotees. Cultural fair include performances of 'Kathakali' and 'Ottam thullal'.

Kottiyoor Temple festival
Kottiyoor Temple festival is held in Akkare Kottiyoor temple, one among the two ancient ancient Shiva temples in Kottiyoor, 60km from Kannur; the other being Ikkare Kottiyoor temple. Akkare Kottiyoor temple remains open only on the festival days while the other remains closed during the festival. The annual vaisakha celebration which last for 27 days commences during the month of May-June with a ritual of bringing a sword from Muthirikavu from nearby Thavinal village, to Akkare Kottiyoor temple. The festival begins with offering 'Neyyattam' (pouring of ghee) on the Swati Day in Edavam and ends with 'Thirukalasattu'. An important ritual during the festival is the 'Ilaneer Veppu' or submitting tender coconuts before the deity. On that special day, thousands of tender coconuts from different parts of Malabar are submitted here. The following day, the main priest of the temple, pours the collected coconut water on to the idol which is known as 'Elaneerattam'. As a part of the festival, a procession (Ezhunnallippu) is held with two elephants carrying the idols of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. After the procession, the elephants are fed well (Aanayootu) and given a formal farewell. The elephants salute the deity and walk back accompanied by the beat of the percussion instruments while the devotees gather in large numbers to watch the spectacle.