Actor Mohanlal will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the 64th Kerala State School Arts Festival, widely regarded as Asia’s largest youth cultural festival.The five-day festival will feature competitions in 239 events, including 96 in the high school category, 105 in the higher secondary section, 19 in the Sanskrit festival, and 19 in the Arabic arts festival.



The schedule has been designed to ensure ease for participants and an enjoyable experience for audiences.The festival will be held from January 14 to 18, 2026, at various venues across Thrissur, Kerala’s cultural capital, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has said.



In connection with the event, a series of preparatory and official programmes have been scheduled in Thrissur on December 20, 2025, to assess arrangements and carry out key formal procedures.The preparatory events will be chaired by Minister Sivankutty and attended by Revenue Minister K. Rajan and Higher Education Minister Dr. R. Bindu, among others.



As part of the day’s programme, the foundation-laying ceremony for the festival pandal will take place at Thekkinkadu Maidan at 11 am.At 12 noon, the festival logo will be unveiled, media awards announced, and the programme schedule released at the welcome committee office at Thrissur Government Model Girls Higher Secondary School. This will be followed by a review meeting of committee chairpersons and conveners.



The official logo of the 64th State School Arts Festival reflects Kerala’s rich artistic traditions and incorporates prominent cultural symbols of Thrissur.The minister said the meeting would also evaluate the progress of various sub-committees under the welcome committee, covering arrangements related to venues, food, accommodation, security, transportation, and other essential facilities.