Southeast Asia has a rich heritage and there are countless festivals and celebrations held across the region throughout the year. From traditional and religious ceremonies to music festivals and arts fairs, attending a festival in Southeast Asia is sure to be a highlight of your trip!
Here we’ve rounded up the most significant events in the region so you can use this calendar of Southeast Asian festivals to help you plan your travels!
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Festivals in Southeast Asia: A Month by Month Guide 🎉
January 💃
Aguman Sanduk – Pampanga, Luzon, Philippines
Local men in the town of Minalin in the province of Pampanga, Philippines have a very interesting way of bringing in the New Year. To celebrate, there’s a huge cross-dressing parade which involves all the men in town. The festival dates back to 1934 when a group of men donned dresses to make their wives and daughters smile.
When: 1 January
Bun Pha Vet – Laos
Bun Pha Vet is an important Buddhist Festival and a significant time of the year for friends and family in Laos to gather together. Tales of Buddha’s penultimate life as Prince Vessantara are recited throughout temples across the country and it’s considered a favourable time for Laos men to be ordained into monkhood.
When: Various dates throughout January differing from village to village.
Pongal – Little India, Singapore
Savour the taste of India in Singapore as part of Pongal, a harvest festival traditionally celebrated in Southern India. Pongal is a time to give thanks to the sun god, Surya. The festivities last four days and include decorating homes, exchanging gifts and cooking pongal, a dish made with freshly harvested rice and lentils.
When: The first day of the month of Thai in the Tamil calendar (usually mid-January).
Sinulog – Cebu, Philippines
Cebu, the Philippines’ second city, hosts a huge celebration of their patron saint, Santo Niño. Festivities include a street parade, live music and plentiful food and drink. It’s one of the biggest and most colourful festivals in the country.
When: Third Sunday in January.
Ati-Atihan – Kalibo, Panay, Philippines
This unique festival is a mixed celebration of the indigenous peoples of the Aklan Province of Panay Island, the infant Jesus and Santo Niño. Lively parades featuring dancing, music and traditional Aki tribal costumes transform the streets. This colourful, energetic event is an amazing example of Filipinos celebrating their mixed cultural heritage and faith.
When: Third week of January.
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival – Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bo Sang Village, just outside of Chiang Mai, is known for its production of exquisite hand-painted paper parasols. This traditional art form takes pride of place during this three-day celebration of Thai cultural and artistic heritage at the Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival. Along with the beautiful artworks, visitors can enjoy a parade, live music, a traditional market and carnival games.
When: Third weekend in January.
Thaipusam Festival – Malaysia and Singapore
Thaipusam is one of the largest and most extravagant Hindu Festivals in Asia that is celebrated by millions of followers worldwide. The festival is held in honour of the Hindu God, Lord Murugan. In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and Penang are two of the most colourful places to observe the festivities, in particular at the Batu Caves on the outskirts of the capital.
When: Night of the full moon of Thai, the tenth month in the Hindu calendar (January or February).
February 🏮
Lunar New Year – Chinese Communities in SE Asia
Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year) marks the first new moon of the year in the lunar calendar. It is a huge event celebrated by Chinese communities all over the world. The festivities last for 15 days with unique celebrations and rituals taking place on each day, it’s a time for families to get together and exchange gifts. Homes are cleaned for the welcoming of spring and floral decorations and red paper lanterns are raised. Children are given gifts of money in lucky red envelopes and adults see it as a time to settle old debts and start afresh.
When: The second new moon after the winter solstice (January or February).
Tet – Vietnam
Tet Nguyen Dan (shortened to ‘Tet’) literally means ‘The Feast of the First Morning’ in Vietnamese and marks the beginning of spring. Derived from the Lunar New Year and celebrated at the same time, the rituals and festivities are very similar. There’s a focus on family reunions, settling old disagreements and starting afresh. In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and other cities, you’ll find street parties and parades.
When: The first new moon of the lunar calendar (January or February).
See more 👉 Festivals in Vietnam
Marha Puha – Laos
Marha Puha festival is held to commemorate an inspirational speech given by the Buddha, in which he dictated the first monastic rules to over a thousand enlightened monks. In the talk, he also predicted his own death. Grand parades and the circling of temples with candles take place across the country, particularly in Laos’ capital Vientiane and in the Khmer ruins of Wat Phu near Pakse.
When: On the night of the full moon in February.
Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony – Thailand
Met the love of your life whilst backpacking? Why hesitate a moment longer? Tie the knot in a truly unique way at the Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony. Held over Valentine’s Day, couples dressed in traditional wedding dress and suits plunge 12 metres beneath the water to exchange bubbly vows.
When: 13–15 February
See more 👉 Festivals in Thailand
Pasola Festival – Sumba, Indonesia
Sumba’s Pasola Festival celebrates centuries old traditions with mock battles between two villages involving spear-wielding horse riders! The festival marks the start of the harvest season.
When: February or March; dates vary each year.
Bau Nyale – Lombok, Indonesia
During the rainy season, Lombok’s indigenous Sasak people come together to catch Nyale. These sea worms are believed to be the reincarnation of Princess Madalika. In Sasak folklore, the Princess sought to end the violence between the many princes who fought for her hand. She achieved this by throwing herself into the sea where she was transformed into Nyale. Today, the Bau Nyale Festival (or worm-catching festival) is a celebration of unity, love and sacrifice.
When: Close to the full moon in the tenth month of the Sasak lunar calendar (February or March).
Panagbenga Festival – Baguio, Luzon, Philippines
Panagbenga Festival or ‘festival of the flower’ has been celebrated in Baguio for generations. Locals in this mountain city come together to celebrate the arrival of a new season and the blooming of the new flowers around the town! This festival is one of the biggest flower festivals in the world and attracts people from around the globe.
When: Throughout February.
March 🤫
Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra – Thailand
Held at Wat Bang Phra (Temple of the Flying Tiger), Thailand’s famous tattoo festival is a must for anyone interested in sak yant tattoos. The night before the festival, thousands of people travel to the temple to get a ‘one-of-a-kind’ tattoo engraved onto their bodies by a monk. The next day, the new tattoos are ‘charged’ by the monks using a series of chanting mantras.
When: Usually held on the Saturday closest to the March full moon (the last full moon in the Buddhist calendar).
Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival – Vietnam
Coffee lovers, rejoice! Inaugurated in 2005, the biennial Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival is a celebration of everyone’s favourite hot beverage. The festival draws visitors to the Vietnamese province of Dak Lak in the central highlands, the country’s coffee-growing region. Festival goers can enjoy a street festival, light show and of course more cups of java than they can shake a stick at!
When: Usually begins around 9 or 10 March.
Tabaung Full Moon Festival (Shwedagon Pagoda Festival) – Yangon, Myanmar
At the end of the lunar year, Buddhist devotees flock to pagodas to give alms and meditate. The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is the most important Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. Visitors may make offerings of water, candles or flowers as well as donations towards the stupa’s upkeep.
When: On the day of the full moon in the last month of the Burmese lunisolar calendar, Tabaung (February or March).
Perfume Pagoda Pilgrimage – Hanoi, Vietnam
The Perfume Pagoda is an impressive complex of Buddhist temples located near Hanoi. Legend has it that the site dates back 2,000 years when a Buddhist Monk began meditating here. The beautiful spot is the site of a religious festival that sees thousands of pilgrims make their way to the shrines built into caves in the mountains to pray for prosperity in the coming year.
When: From the sixth day of the first lunar month to the end of the third lunar month (February to April).
Nyepi – Bali, Indonesia
Nyepi commemorates the ‘Hindu Day of Silence’ and also marks the start of the Hindu New Year. For 24 hours starting at 6 am, you’ll find businesses across the island closed as the population observes a religious period of self-reflection. Bali’s usually bustling streets and beaches become empty with restrictions on travelling, entertainment, eating, working and even talking (foreigners are also expected to participate). Bali’s only airport is closed for the day.
When: The day following the new moon in the Saka lunar calendar (end of March or beginning of April).
April 💦
Songkran (Buddhist New Year) – Thailand
What better way to cool off in the sweltering temperatures of Thailand’s hot period than an enormous water fight!? Songkran is the welcoming of the Thai New Year and is symbolically a time for new beginnings. Traditionally, people would sprinkle water on each other to symbolise spiritual cleansing. Nowadays, however, it’s super soakers and ice buckets all the way!
When: 13–15 April.
Pi Mai (Buddhist New Year) – Laos
After the hottest period in Laos, these wet celebrations not only welcome in the New Year but mark the beginning of the monsoon season. Water plays a major role as a symbol of cleansing as homes, Buddha images and people are blessed. You’ll see ‘sand stupas’ created on temple grounds similar to those in Cambodia. Like many Southeast Asian new year festivals, the emphasis is on having fun and getting wet! (All for good luck of course!)
When: 13–15 April or 14–16 April.
Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer New Year) – Cambodia
A three-day event celebrated across the country at the same time as the Thai Songkran. Religious ceremonies take place at shrines and people build small sandhills on temple grounds decorated with five religious flags to symbolise Buddha’s five disciples. As in Thailand, water blessings occur as Cambodians sprinkle holy water on each other’s faces in the morning, the chest at noon and the feet in the evening. Soakings are also common!
When: 13–15 April or 14–16 April.
Thingyan (Burmese New Year) – Myanmar
Celebrated for four to five days, this New Year’s celebration also involves throwing water (surprise surprise!). In more rural areas the tradition involves the sprinkling of scented water in a silver bowl using sprigs of jambul (cumin). However, in cities and towns, there’s a festive atmosphere akin to Songkran in Thailand and if you’re visiting you’re guaranteed a good soaking! You’ll also come across street performances by dancers, puppeteers and comedians.
When: 13–16 April.
Qingming Festival – Chinese Communities in SE Asia
Chinese communities across the region clean tombs of deceased relatives and light incense in a festival intended to honour the dead.
When: The fifteenth day after the spring equinox (early April).
Male’an Sampi – Lombok, Indonesia
With ‘Male’an’ meaning ‘to chase’ and ‘Sampi’ meaning cow in the local Sasak language, you can pretty much guess what this festival entails! An annual tradition on the Muslim island of Lombok, the event sees a series of cattle races taking place on a soggy race track 100 metres long and is a favourite amongst local families.
When: After the annual harvest; dates vary.
Reunification Day – Vietnam
April 30 marks the day Vietnam was reunified following the end of the Vietnam war. Red banners and the Vietnamese flag adorn the streets as the country celebrates with fireworks, parades and performances.
When: 30 April
Hue Festival – Vietnam
This biennial festival is a celebration of the rich heritage and traditions of the ancient city of Hue. Festivities include street performances, art exhibitions, traditional music and dance, and even reenactments of historical events.
When: May be held in April, May or June.
See more 👉 Festivals in Vietnam
May 🚀
The Bali Spirit Festival – Bali, Indonesia
An international celebration of yoga, dance, and music, the Bali Spirit Festival is held every year in Ubud on the island of Bali in a beautiful venue surrounded by rice fields, jungle and temples. Every day and evening, there are hundreds of workshops for yoga, dance, breathwork and music that attract up to 7,000 yoga and wellness enthusiasts.
When: Early May.
Vesak Day – Across Southeast Asia
Vesak is the holiest festival in the Buddhist calendar and celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and attainment of Nirvana. It’s known by slightly different names across the region, including Wesak, Visakha Puja or Waisak. The most prominent celebration takes place at the spectacular 9th Century Buddhist monument Borobudur in Yogyakarta.
When: The night of the full moon in the month of Vaisakha in the Buddhist calendar (usually the full moon in May).
Boun Bang Fai Rocket Festival – Laos
This fun and noisy festival marks the beginning of the rainy season. Since ancient times it’s been performed by those working on the land to request rain from the ‘Phaya Thaen’ (Rain God). Villages across the country gather to create huge rockets made out of bamboo and then shoot them up into the skies. The winner of the highest rocket gets prestige throughout the land.
When: Usually mid-May.
Carabao Festival – Pulilan, Luzon, Philippines
Every year, the residents of Pulilan take two days out to repay their family buffaloes for all their hard work. How? With some serious pampering of course! After a day of cleaning, shaving and grooming, the buffalo are treated with massages (complete with aromatic oil!) and adorned with crowns of sweetly perfumed frangipani and hibiscus. Some of the buffaloes are then brightly painted and paraded through the streets in a procession of floats.
When: 14–15 May
Singapore Arts Festival – Singapore
The Singapore Arts Festival is a dynamic event showcasing local and international talent. There are dance and musical performances, theatre showings, talks, historic presentations, art displays and more. As well as headliner performances from internationally renowned artists and troupes, Singapore becomes lit up by outdoor, late-night and children’s shows spread throughout the city for three weeks.
When: Second half of May.
Singapore HeritageFest – Singapore
The country comes together to celebrate its shared cultural identity with traditional crafts, arts, food and stories and festivities across the island.
When: Throughout May.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
This ancient royal rite takes place in Cambodia’s capital to mark the beginning of the rice-growing season. After the ceremonial ploughing, oxen are led to seven feeding trays containing rice, beans, sesame, corn, grass, water and wine. The oxen choose which to eat from and the act is said to predict the farming season ahead. If they eat rice, beans, sesame or corn a good season of that crop can be expected. Whereas grass spells animal disease, water means heavy rains and wine predicts a spate of drunken crime!
When: The fourth day of the sixth lunar month’s waning moon (usually in the first half of May).
Koh Samui Regatta – Koh Samui, Thailand
The annual Koh Samui Regatta is a huge sailing event that attracts over 200 participating teams and thousands of boat lovers from all over the world. Over five days, there are a variety of races taking place around the island including long-distance racing, short sprints and cruising displays. Expect a fun-filled event with plenty of partying on dry land too.
When: Usually the last week of May.
Kaamatan Harvest Festival – Sabah, Malaysia
The Kaamatan Harvest Festival is the biggest cultural event in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Celebrating the connection between the indigenous Kadazan-Dusun and the land, the festival honors the rice spirit ensuring a bountiful harvest.
When: 30–31 May
Usaba Sambah (Bali’s Fighting Festival) – Indonesia
If you’re seeking traditional music, performance, comedy, romance or downright brutal combat, Usaba Sambah has it all. The festival, also known as ‘Bali’s Fighting Festival’ is held in the walled Tenganan Dauh Tukad village in Bali. As one of the island’s most ancient villages, Tenganan hosts some of Bali’s oldest ceremonies and rites, which are just as important to the culture today as when they originated.
When: During Sasih Kalima, the fifth month of the Balinese Saka calendar (may fall in May, June or July).
Chanthaburi and Rayong Fruit Festival – Thailand
Held once a year, during the best season for ripeness and flavour, this festival is a great opportunity to fill up on vitamins whilst having a great day out. Succulent, thirst-quenching mangosteen or rich, creamy durian? Tangy langsat or sweet, pulpy jackfruit? Visitors to the festival can indulge their taste buds with a delicious assortment of exotic Thai fruits in all-you-can-eat buffets!
When: Usually late May or early June.
Tet Doan Ngo – Vietnam
Also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, this celebration marks the summer solstice and the end of the spring planting season. It’s a time for warding off pests and evil spirits. Offerings are made to spirits and dragon boat races take place up and down the country. Special foods are made and shared during the festival.
When: Summer solstice, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (late May or early June).
Java Jazz Festival – Jakarta, Java, Indonesia
Jakarta hosts one the world’s biggest jazz festivals in a global celebration of music. The event showcases the leading names in jazz alongside emerging artists with performances across ten stages.
When: Late May to early June.
June 🎶
Gawai Dayak Festival – Sarawak, Malaysia
Gawai Dayak is held in the longhouses of lowland tribes in Sarawak to celebrate the New Year and harvest. (In local language, Gawai means festival, while Dayak is the name for the native ethnic groups of Sarawak.) During this time, family get-togethers are often accompanied by weddings. Feasts, songs around the fire, ancient tribal stories, animal sacrifice, and lots of betel-nut chewing and drinking of the local moonshine, Borak, are to be expected!
When: 1–2 June
Sea Festival – Nha Trang, Vietnam
Vietnam celebrates all things coastal with its biennial Sea Festival held in the city of Nha Trang. Expect sea-themed parades, street festivals and even a photo exhibition plus music, arts and sporting events.
When: Early to mid-June.
Bali Arts Festival – Bali, Indonesia
Taking place over an entire month, this festival is a unique extravaganza of arts, music, dance and history celebrating pride in Balinese culture. Amongst other performances, famous masked dances originating from tribal villages are showcased and ancient classic stories retold. There’s a vibrant atmosphere all across the island as celebrations are enjoyed by locals and travellers alike.
When: Mid-June to mid-July.
The Rainforest World Music Festival – Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Every year, festival-goers all over the world flock to Sarawak on the island of Borneo for the magical Rainforest World Music Festival. As well as performances from some world-renowned artists, there’s an array of daytime music workshops and jamming sessions that take place at the gorgeous 17-acre Sarawak Cultural Village, just 35 km outside of Kuching, a stone’s throw from the quiet beach resort area of the Santubong Peninsula.
When: Over a weekend in mid-late June.
Phi Ta Khon Festival – Loei Province, Thailand
Unique to Northeastern Thailand, this festival is similar to the Western Halloween where locals don eerie spirit masks, wear phantom costumes and strange hats, while children play tricks in the street. The festival commemorates an old Buddhist tale, in which villagers held a celebration to mark the return of their prince from banishment. It is said that they made so much noise that the dead were awakened from their graves and came out to party!
When: Late June or early July.
July 🪁
Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) – Thailand
Khao Phansa is one of the most important times in the Buddhist calendar that also marks the beginning of the rainy season across most of Southeast Asia. Also known as the ‘Buddhist Rains Retreat,’ it’s a time when Buddhist monks retreat to the temple where they stay for a period of three months. Traditionally, this was so that they would not be in danger of treading on young plants, which sprout during this season.
When: Begins on the first day after the eighth full moon in the lunar calendar (usually July; sometimes late June).
The Candle Festival – Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
This is a deeply spiritual festival held around the beginning of Khao Phansa, or Buddhist Lent, when a great candle procession parades through the streets of Ubon Ratchathani to honour the Buddha’s first sermon and the everlasting faith of the people in Buddhism. The festival includes floats, special displays, cultural presentations and music and dancing.
When: Around the full moon in the eighth lunar month (June or July).
Banana Festival – Tagum, Davao del Norte, The Philippines
The Davao Region is the Philippines’ leading producer of bananas and the city of Tagum hosts an annual celebration in honour of the yellow fruit. The fun-filled Banana Festival is a ten-day event with lots of festivities and fairs, street dancing and an agricultural trade fair to highlight Davao del Norte as ‘banana country’. Expect fun banana-inspired snacks and costumes!
When: The first week of July.
The Sultan’s Birthday – Brunei
Famed for being one of the world’s richest people, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Sultan of Brunei celebrates his birthday with pomp and extravagance. Beginning on 15 July, the birthday celebrations last two weeks with parades, processions, fireworks and sporting competitions.
When: 15 July
We The Fest – Jakarta, Indonesia
We The Fest is an annual summer festival that celebrates music, art, fashion and food! Since its creation in 2014, the festival has played host to an excellent line-up of international stars and homegrown talent. Some of the big names that have performed include The Kooks, Ellie Goulding, Mark Ronson, Big Sean, Dua Lipa, The 1975, and The Temper Trap.
When: Usually the third or fourth weekend in July.
Bali Kite Festival – Sanur Beach, Bali, Indonesia
The aim of this festival is to send signals to the Hindu Gods to create plentiful harvests in the coming year. Kites of all different shapes, sizes and colours take to the skies above Bali, with some measuring up to 10 metres in length. Teams from local villages battle it out in competitions for best launch and longest flight. There is live music in the form of a Gamelan orchestra throughout the festival and hundreds of spectators.
When: Dates vary; usually mid-July to late August.
Yadnya Kasada Festival – Java, Indonesia
The Yadnya Kasada Festival (also called Kosodo) is an important occasion for the Tenggerese people of Java who make a pilgrimage to Mount Bromo where they make sacrifices to the mountain gods. Offerings such as rice, fruit and even livestock are thrown into the active volcano by those seeking blessings.
When: The fourteenth day of Kasada in the Tenggerese calendar (July or August).
George Town Festival – Penang, Malaysia
George Town Festival is a week-long celebration of art, music, theatre, dance, opera and film to commemorate George Town’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Each year since 2010, GTF transforms Penang’s only city into an exciting and unique platform for the arts, heritage and culture. The festival features local talents and internationally acclaimed performances of art, theatre, music, dance, opera and film screenings.
When: Dates vary; usually held in July but sometimes August.
August 👻
Singapore National Day
Singapore became an independent sovereign state in August 1965. Each year the country comes together to celebrate with a parade and fireworks.
When: 9 August
Hungry Ghost Festival – Chinese Communities in SE Asia
The Hungry Ghost Festival (aka Zhongyuan Festival or Yulanpen Festival) has roots in Buddhism and Taoism. Many people of Chinese heritage believe that during the seventh lunar month the ghosts of their ancestors descend to wander the earth in search of food. The graves of family members are cleaned and food and clothes are left as offerings to appease the ghosts. It’s also a time for forgiveness of faults. In Vietnam the festival is known as Vu Lan, or Wandering Souls Day.
When: On the fifteenth night (full moon) of the seventh lunar month (which may fall in July, August or September).
Indonesian Independence Day
Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch on 17th August 1945. To mark the occasion, each year neighbourhoods across the country hold street parties and friendly contests. Games include climbing oily trees to reach gifts placed in the branches, the sack race and kerupuk- (cracker) eating competitions. Fun for all the family!
When: 17 August
Taungbyone Nat Festival – near Mandalay, Myanmar
Although Nat Festivals (Spirit Festivals) are held across Myanmar regularly, the one at Taungbyone is the biggest event of the year. The festival is known to be popular with the LGBTQ+ crowd as many of the nat kadaws (spirit mediums) are gay or trans people. Thousands of pilgrims descend on this small village to get their fortunes told or have good luck bestowed upon them.
When: Around the full moon in Wagaung, the fifth month of the Burmese calendar.
Krakatoa Festival – Sumatra, Indonesia
The Krakatoa Festival is held in the Lampung Province on the southern tip of Sumatra and showcases the region’s cultural heritage. It also commemorates the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in recorded history!
When: Usually late August.
Merdeka (Independence) Day – Malaysia
Throughout the country, Merdeka Day is a time of national pride and a celebration of cultural heritage. The event commemorates Malaysia’s independence from Britain in 1957. Particularly in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, there are parades, performances and events taking place. Head to Independence Square (Merdeka Square) to witness the celebrations.
When: 31 August
Boun Khao Padabdin – Laos
This two-day festival is held in commemoration of deceased ancestors. Buddhist devotees visit temples to make offerings to ancestors and give alms to monks. The festival also includes dragon-boat races on the Nam Khan River near Luang Prabang.
When: The fourteenth day of the waning moon in the ninth month of the Buddhist calendar (August or September).
September 🌾
Vietnamese Independence Day
In 1945 in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square Ho Chi Minh Vietnam declared independence from France. Each year, the historic moment is celebrated with much flag waving, parades and fireworks.
When: 2 September
Erau Festival – Tenggarong, Kalimantan, Indonesia
Held on the island of Borneo, the origins of this festival stretch all the way back to the 14th century! The first Erau Ceremony was held to celebrate the coronation of the Sultan of Kutai Kartanegara in 1305 and was performed each time a new sultan was appointed. People from all over the Kingdom of Kutai would gather, receiving offerings from community leaders of food, livestock and entertainment. Even though the area is no longer a sultanate, the local peoples still come together in an annual festival to celebrate their cultural heritage. Sporting competitions are held, along with dance performances, boat races and exhibitions of local arts.
When: Usually around 22–28 September.
Navaratri – Hindu Communities in SE Asia
One of the most important festivals in Hinduism, Navarati is a nine-day celebration honouring the goddess Durga. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil and followers express their devotion through worship, fasting and dance. Navartatri is celebrated within Hindu communities across the region, notably Bali, Indonesia; Penang, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Singapore.
When: Begins on the first day of Ashvin, the ninth month in the Hindu calendar (September or October).
Mid-Autumn Festival – Chinese Communities in SE Asia
The Mid-Autumn (Harvest) Festival is an important time for families to come together (in Vietnam it is sometimes called Children’s Day) to celebrate the full moon, share food and give thanks for the year’s harvest. Lanterns are decorated and lit and many mooncakes are consumed, earning the celebrations its other name, the Mooncake Festival!
When: The fifteenth day (full moon) of the eighth lunar month (September or October).
Singapore Food Festival – Singapore
A month-long festival dedicated to the pleasure of eating delicious delicacies from all over the world. (And your parents were worried you’d come back skinny and undernourished from your travels!) Each street serves up a unique range of cuisine and there’s a festive atmosphere in the air. As well as feasting, there are also cultural activities, including street shows in Chinatown, riverboat cruises, music and entertainment.
When: Throughout September or October.
P’chum Ben – Cambodia
P’chum Ben is the time of the year when Khmer people believe that the spirits of dead ancestors rise and walk the earth. Offerings are made at temples as early as 4 am as people give food to the spirits to ease their suffering. Sticky rice is thrown on the ground as it’s said to be the easiest food for them to consume.
When: The first two weeks of the tenth month in the Khmer lunisolar calendar, culminating on the full moon (September or October).
October 🪷
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival – Phuket, Thailand
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival occurs over nine days with a series of celebrations through the streets of Phuket’s Old Town. It’s the sixth day that has long been a favourite of travellers and photographers the world over. On this day, devotees partake in incredible feats of body piercing, as well as acts of endurance such as walking barefoot on hot coals or climbing ladders made of blades. During such self-torture, it is said that Gods can enter the body and evil spirits are dispelled from town!
When: The first nine days of the ninth lunar month (October or November).
Awk Pansa (End of Buddhist Lent) – Thailand, Laos and Myanmar
Awk Pansa literally means ‘leaving the period of rain’ and it marks the end of Buddhist Lent. Rooted in agricultural tradition, Awk Pansa indicates the start of a new season and the planting of crops. In many parts of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, Awk Pansa is celebrated with a series of boat processions and races.
When: The night of the full moon in the eleventh lunar month.
Boun Lai Heua Fai (Fire Boat Festival)– Luang Prabang, Laos
This event, which is part of Awk Pansa celebrations, involves making boats shaped like serpents or dragons from banana-tree trunks, bamboo and paper. The boats are lit from the inside with candles then paraded through the streets before being released onto the river as offerings to the gods. People also make personal offerings using krathongs (small lanterns made from bamboo and banana leaves) which are also set adrift on the water to carry away their worries and bring good luck for the coming year.
When: The night of the full moon in the eleventh lunar month.
Bang Fai Phaya Nak (Naga Fireball) – Thailand
Miracle or hoax? The Naga Fireball Festival celebration is also part of Awk Pansa celebrations. This unusual spectacle occurs on the Mekong River in Nong Khai, on the Thai–Laos border, and has baffled even the most sceptical onlookers! On the night of the full moon, at the end of Buddhist lent, thousands of people congregate on the banks of the river to watch burning red fireballs ascend from the surface of the water into the night sky. Locals believe this phenomenon is caused by Naga, the great serpent of the underworld who lives in the river.
When: The night of the full moon in the eleventh lunar month.
Deepavali – Malaysia and Singapore
Deepavali (or Diwali), often known as the ‘Festival of Lights,’ is one of the most important events in the Hindu calendar and signifies the triumph of good over evil and light over dark. Candles and lanterns are lit to guide the souls of the deceased back to their loved ones during this time. Many Hindus pray, fast or observe strict diets during the weeks before the festival.
When: Around the new moon at the beginning of the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar (October or November).
Thimithi (Firewalking Ceremonies) – Malaysia and Singapore
Thimithi is the Hindu ritual of firewalking and has its origins in South India. Its roots lie in the Indian epic the Mahabharata, as the ceremony is said to commemorate an event where the character Draupadi walks over a bed of coals to prove her purity and emerges as a fresh flower. Thimithi ceremonies occur at temples across Singapore and Malaysia. It is believed that a strong devotion will overcome the danger of getting burnt.
When: One week before Deepavali.
Buffalo Racing – Chonburi, Thailand
The Chonburi Buffalo Races are a series of highly competitive sprints taking place in front of the town’s Municipal Office. The races celebrate the buffalo as a symbol of agriculture and its importance in Thai culture. Crowds of people gather to cheer their favourites to victory in an event that has been known to feature on the BBC and CNN.
When: Usually mid-October around the full moon.
Lanzones Festival – Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
The island of Camiguin is famed for its production of lanzones, said to be the sweetest in the Philippines. Lanzones are small round fruits related to the lychee and rambutan. Around harvest time, the island erupts into a joyous celebration of its most beloved crop. As well as a tribute to the sweet, succulent fruit, the festival also celebrates the island’s traditions and culture.
When: Third or fourth week of October.
The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival – Bali, Indonesia
Southeast Asia’s biggest literary festival is a four-day feast of author talks, panel discussions, live music, spoken word, readings and workshops. Book worms, assemble!
When: Late October to early November.
November 🕯️
Cambodian Independence Day
Cambodians mark the day the country declared independence from France in 1953 with parades, dances and traditional music. The festivities centre around Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.
When: 9 November
Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) – Cambodia
The Water Festival, or Bon Om Touk in Khmer, marks the end of the rainy season in Cambodia. The event celebrates the amazing natural phenomenon of the reversing flow of the Tonle Sap River. Not only is it an important cultural event, it indicates the beginning of a plentiful fishing season for many Cambodians who rely on the water as a vital life source.
When: Begins on the night of the full moon in the eleventh month in the Khmer calendar.
Loi Krathong & Yi Peng (Festival of Lights/Lantern Festival) – Thailand
One of the most enchanting and magical festivals in the Thai calendar, Loi Krathong marks the end of the rainy season. Night skies all across the country become illuminated as glowing lanterns are floated into the air and rivers and lakes glisten with candles as tiny boats (krathong) are set afloat. In the north of Thailand, Yi Peng is celebrated, which is similar but distinct from Loi Krathong. The most impressive lantern release can be seen in Chiang Mai.
When: The night of the full moon in the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar.
See more 👉 Festivals in Thailand.
That Luang Festival – Vientiane, Laos
Sacred relics of Buddha are housed in the golden stupa of Pha That Luang in Laos’ capital, Vientiane. During the annual festival, thousands of Buddhists surround the golden temple before the break of dawn to pay homage, say prayers and give alms to the monks who have travelled from all across the country for the event. As the sun rises, the tradition is to circle the stupa three times in an anti-clockwise direction. Flower processions, market stalls, live music and dancing are included.
When: Around the full moon of the twelfth lunar month.
Angkor Photo Festival – Cambodia
The annual Angkor Photo Festival in Siem Reap is a week-long festival features 100+ photographers in a series of indoor and outdoor exhibitions as well as daily evening slideshow projections. There are also workshops for budding photographers. The aim of the event is to nurture and promote young Asian talent. All events are open to the public and free of charge.
When: Usually November or December but has also been held in January and February.
Tazaungdaing (Hot Air Balloon) Festival – Taunggyi, Myanmar
In Myanmar, the end of the rainy season is marked in spectacular fashion: by releasing hundreds of exploding hot air balloons! Also known as the Festival of Lights, the celebrations are usually held in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State. People compete to create the most impressive aerial display, with marks awarded for aesthetics, height reached and most time spent in the air. The balloons are filled with fireworks and once released into the air they explode in a dazzling display. The festivities are rooted in Buddhism and the releasing of the balloons signifies driving away evil spirits. There is also a robe-weaving competition and monks are offered new robes and alms.
When: On the full moon day of Tazaungmon, the eighth month in the Burmese calendar.
International Dragon Boat Regatta – Penang, Malaysia
Teams from around the globe are invited to take part in the annual dragon-boat race in Penang. The event is a celebration of skill, tradition and the island’s maritime heritage. Spectators can also enjoy performances and plenty of delicious food!
When: Late November.
River Kwai Bridge Week – Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Cultural performances, folk dances and a carnival atmosphere descends upon the town of Kanchanaburi during the remembrance week of the world-famous River Kwai Bridge. Historical exhibitions and displays explain more about the history and a light and sound presentation enacts the World War II legacy.
When: Late November to early December.
December 🛕
Hmong New Year – Laos, Vietnam and Thailand
This New Year celebration is unique to the Hmong people, one of the largest ethnic groups of Northern Southeast Asia. It’s a time of family get-togethers and honouring ancestors and spirits. People also visit neighbouring villages to enjoy traditional performances and play communal games. It’s also the perfect chance for the singletons of nearby villages to meet prospective spouses!
When: On the new moon of the twelfth lunar month (December or January).
Christmas (Paskó) – Philippines
The Philippines is unique in Southeast Asia in that the dominant religion is Catholicism. Christmas in this country is a big deal and festivities start as early as September! One of the most significant events is the Nine Mornings, a series of early-morning masses held from 16-24 December. The Filipinos, known for their love of festivals, go all out with their celebrations, enjoying carolling, festive foods, decorations and family get-togethers.
When: 16 December to 6 January (known as Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings).
International New Year
While not strictly an Asian festival, it’s important to mention New Year’s Eve. Parties take place in towns, cities and islands across the region to mark the New Year according to the Greogorian calendar. This is one of the busiest times of year in Southeast Asia and accommodation and transport get booked up fast. For those wanting to party, there’s a special new years’ Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan, as well as beach parties on several popular backpacker islands, including Koh Chang, Koh Tao, the Gili Islands and Bali.
When: 31 December
More Festivals 🙏
Funeral Ceremonies – Sulawesi, Indonesia
The Toraja people in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, mark the passing of their loved ones into the realm of the ancestors with elaborate rituals and funerary rites. Rather than a sombre occasion, funerals are joyful affairs where the deceased are honoured and their life celebrated. Events can last for days and include music, dancing and feasting. Animal sacrifices (mainly buffalo) are an important part of the rituals.
When: Most funerals are held between June and September but can take place at any time of year.
Galungan – Bali, Indonesia
This Hindu festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil (dharma over adharma). It also marks the time when spirits are believed to return to Earth. Balinese people welcome their ancestors with prayers and offerings left throughout their homes.
When: Every 210 days.
Ramadan – Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei
For Muslims all over the world, Ramadan is of huge importance. In Southeast Asia, Ramadan is widely observed in the majority Muslim nations of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. During this period all Muslims observe fast from dawn until dusk and restaurants are closed during the day. The fasting period ends with Eid (known as Hari Raya in SE Asia), a huge celebratory feast marked by over one billion Muslims around the world. According to tradition, Ramadan marks the time when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
When: The ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year.