Mangaluru: The ‘Udupi Parba and Adventure Sports Festival’ focusing on adventure sports, culture, coastal cuisine, and a variety of competitions would be held at several places in the district from December 24 to 31.

One of the major highlights of the adventure sports festival would be the National Junior Open Water Swimming Championship, which would be held at Malpe beach, on December 30 and 31. This championship will be held here for the first time.

Various other sports and cultural events would be held at different places in Udupi district. They include Helicopter rides at the Adiudupi helipad here; photography competition on St. Mary’s Island (December 29 to 31); and a dog show at Mahatma Gandhi Bayalu Ranga Mandira, here (December 31).

The following events would be held on Malpe beach: wine festival from December 29 to 31, sky lantern “gududeepa” competition on December 29, food festival focusing on coastal cuisine from December 29 to 31, sand sculpture camp on December 29, drawing and cartoon camp from December 29 to 31, and fireworks display programme at midnight on December 31.

A scuba diving fest would be held off Kaup beach from December 24 to 31. A beach fest would be held on Othinene-Paduvari beach from December 28 to 30, while another beach fest would be held on the Kinara beach in Koteshwar. A trekking and camping at concession rate at Hebri, Kollur and Kudremukh from December 24 to 31.

In addition, there would be Udupi Cycling Race, Udupi Open Swimming Competition, skate boarding competition, boat race, and kayaking competition. Besides, people can enjoy jet skiing, wind surfing, kayaking and canoeing on the Malpe beach.

Cultural programmes, including music programme by Kalaimani Sivamani, Nritya Vaibhava by Alva’s troupe, and magic show by Prahlad Acharya, would be held on Malpe beach from December 29 to 31.

The ‘Udupi Parba and the Adventure Sports Fest’ is being organised by the district administration and Departments of Sports and Tourism.