November through February is the best time to visit Kozhikode — dry, with temperatures hovering between 22 and 32 degrees and pleasant sea breezes in the evenings. March, April and May are hot and humid; the air-conditioning works overtime and the beach is best at dawn or after sunset.
The south-west monsoon between June and September brings heavy daily rain — atmospheric in its own way but tough on travel plans. The classical-arts season at the Tagore Theatre and the Calicut Literary Festival both fall in the cooler months. The Mahanavami festival at Tali Temple in September-October is the city's biggest Hindu celebration.