Palakkad is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant festivals. Here are some of the popular festivals celebrated in Palakkad: 

Pooram Festival: Pooram Festival is the most popular festival in Palakkad. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam (April/May) every year at the famous Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur. The festival is marked by a procession of caparisoned elephants, fireworks, and traditional music and dance performances. 

Onam Festival: Onam is a harvest festival that is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August/September). The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is marked by elaborate feasts, traditional games, and colorful cultural performances. 

Kalpathi Ratholsavam: Kalpathi Ratholsavam is a ten-day festival that is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (November/December). The festival is marked by a grand procession of decorated chariots, which are pulled by devotees. 

Maha Shivaratri: Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February/March) every year. Devotees observe a fast and visit Shiva temples to offer prayers and perform rituals. 

Vishu: Vishu is a new year festival that is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam (April/May) every year. The festival is marked by traditional rituals, feasts, and the exchange of gifts and greetings. 

Navratri: Navratri is a nine-day festival that is celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kanni (September/October) every year. Devotees observe a fast and perform special rituals to invoke the blessings of the goddess. 

Ottappalam Nercha: The Ottappalam Nercha Festival is a famous religious festival celebrated in the town of Ottappalam in the Palakkad district.The festival is usually held during the first week of February every year and lasts for four days.

The festival is characterized by various rituals and cultural programs. One of the main highlights of the festival is the colorful procession that takes place on the second day of the festival. The procession includes a decorated elephant, drummers, and other musicians. People also carry colorful flags and banners, and the atmosphere is filled with the sound of prayers and devotional songs. 

The festival also features a grand feast called "nercha sadhya" which is prepared by the devotees and distributed to everyone attending the festival. The food is served on banana leaves and includes a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. 

Chinakathoor Pooram: Chinakathoor Pooram is a famous temple festival that takes place in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India. It is celebrated every year in the month of April at the Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple in Palappuram, near Ottappalam. The festival is a grand celebration that lasts for seven days and attracts thousands of devotees from all over Kerala and other parts of India. 

The highlight of the festival is the grand procession of 33 decorated elephants that are brought to the temple from various parts of the region. The elephants are accompanied by traditional percussionists playing instruments such as chenda, thakil, and maddalam, and the procession is a spectacular sight to behold. 

The festival also includes various cultural events such as Kathakali and Theyyam performances, as well as a variety of other traditional art forms. Devotees also participate in various rituals and ceremonies during the festival, such as the Thalapoli, Thidambu Nritham, and Thira.