Sri Vijaya Puram | October 24, 2026
The third edition of the Island Coconut Festival–2026, organised by the Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T) in collaboration with allied departments, will be held on October 24 and 25 at the ITF Ground, Sri Vijaya Puram. The two-day festival will begin at 5 pm onwards under the theme “Celebrating Coconut – Culture, Cuisine & Crafts of the Islands.”
The festival will celebrate the cultural, culinary and traditional significance of coconut in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through competitions, children’s workshops, food stalls, exhibitions and cultural performances. It aims to promote innovation, support local producers and artisans, and encourage the effective utilisation of coconut, an abundantly available resource in the Islands, to generate income and strengthen local livelihoods.
Various competitions and workshops have been scheduled as part of the festival. On October 24, a coconut-themed fun painting activity for children below 15 years will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm in collaboration with the Education Department. Interested children have been asked to assemble at Stall No. 27 by 4 pm, and the required materials will be provided by the department. A coconut-themed handicraft-making workshop, organised in collaboration with the Education Department and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), will be held at the same stall on October 25 from 5 pm to 8 pm.
A coconut de-husking competition for men and women will be conducted on October 24 from 4 pm to 5.30 pm, with the Agriculture Department coordinating the event. Spot registration will be available for participants. A coconut cooking competition, open to all, will also be held at Stall No. 25, while a coconut-based art and handicraft competition will be organised at Stall No. 26. Both competitions will begin at 5 pm, and spot registration will also be allowed.
The cultural programme on October 24 will feature a Nicobari traditional dance performance from 5 pm to 5.15 pm, showcasing the cultural heritage of the Nicobari community. M J Music Academy and Jhankar Dance Academy will present folk dances, while Sur Sangam Social & Cultural Society will conduct karaoke programmes during the evening.
On October 25, Natyanjali Classical Dance Academy and Balkrishna Nritya Academy (BNA) will present folk dances, while Naach Academy of Performing Arts will conduct a karaoke programme. The cultural performances are scheduled between 5 pm and 8.15 pm.
A major attraction of the festival will be the participation of various government departments and organisations, including the Coir Board, Coconut Development Board, Tribal Welfare Department, Agriculture Department and Industries Department. They will showcase the diverse applications of coconut through exhibitions featuring coconut-based products, traditional crafts, value-added items and livelihood opportunities.
The exhibition will also highlight the potential of coconut beyond its conventional uses, including food processing, handicrafts, coir products and other sustainable enterprises. The initiative is expected to encourage greater awareness of the resource’s economic potential and its role in supporting local livelihoods.
The general public, tourists and students have been invited to participate in the festival and experience the Islands’ cultural heritage, traditional crafts and coconut-based cuisine.
