{"id":10492,"date":"2018-03-02T11:55:44","date_gmt":"2018-03-02T04:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asiasafari-laos.com\/festivals-in-laos-events-celebrations-the-cultural-calendar-not-to-be-missed\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T20:37:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T13:37:02","slug":"festivals-in-laos-events-celebrations-the-cultural-calendar-not-to-be-missed","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.asiasafari-laos.com\/en\/laos-a-country-beyond-mainstream-tourism-overview-and-history\/festivals-in-laos-events-celebrations-the-cultural-calendar-not-to-be-missed\/","title":{"rendered":"Festivals in Laos, events, celebrations – The cultural calendar not to be missed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ok Phansa and the Festival of Lights in Luang Prabang<\/h2>\n
\"Ethnic<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Late October, at the end of the green season<\/h4>\n

One of the most beautiful festivals in Laos. During the rainy season, monks devote themselves entirely to study and prayer. Processions and boat races mark the end of Buddhist Lent. Boats are built in each village, along with paper stars and flowers made by locals and monks. In Luang Prabang, people wear the traditional dress of their ethnic group to carry the flaming boats down to the Mekong, between the main street and Xiengthong Temple. Launching the dragon-shaped boats is an opportunity to make wishes by releasing small paper sculptures, flowers, and candles onto the river. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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The That Luang Festival<\/h2>\n
\"Ethnic<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

In November, at the time of the full moon<\/h4>\n

One of the most revered festivals, especially in Vientiane. The whole country gathers around That Luang, the national symbol and most venerated temple in the capital. Early in the morning, monks gather in the galleries surrounding the golden stupa and receive offerings from the faithful before forming a procession from Wat That Luang to Wat Si Muang, carrying flower garlands and food offerings. Originally lasting 3 days, the festival now extends over a week, bringing together religious and laypeople who come to enjoy themselves under fireworks and to the sound of drums. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Pimai, Lao New Year<\/h2>\n
\"Ethnic<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Mid-April, every year<\/h4>\n

This is undoubtedly the most interesting time of year to visit the country. For 3 days, it is Lao New Year, which coincides with the very popular Water Festival in Southeast Asia and, more particularly, in China. Homes are cleaned to ward off evil spirits. Song Kan Day is devoted to prayer and wishes. Buddha statues are sprinkled with consecrated water by the monks. People dress traditionally and feast around the temples. Today, the ritual has become a game, and everyone splashes one another not only during these three days but often for a week beforehand. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Hmong New Year<\/h2>\n
\"Ethnic<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Late December<\/h4>\n

This northern Laos ethnic minority, also known as the Meo, celebrates New Year at the time of the December new moon. Evil spirits are driven away, making way for a joyful celebration. Young Hmong, dressed in their finest costumes, take part in one of the most important rituals for their community. Men and women stand facing each other and toss a ball amid the crowd. The aim is to meet one\u2019s future partner, then marry after the new year. There are also bullfights and sports competitions such as crossbow shooting. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Boun Bang Fai, the Rocket Festival<\/h2>\n
\"Ethnic<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Over 2 to 3 days in May<\/h4>\n

This festival probably originated in pre-Buddhist fertility rites intended to celebrate and encourage the arrival of the rains by sending handmade bamboo rockets filled with explosive powder into the sky. Each village organizes its own festival, with street dancing and processions in the pagodas. A true collective release, the streets fill with music. The last day is dedicated to the rocket competition, overseen by a jury that will decide the winner based on the rocket\u2019s decoration, its size, and the height it reached in the sky\u2026 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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