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As a country with a strong adherence to Buddhist traditions and the lunar calendar, it’s no surprise that Laos has so many festivals and events. Festivals are typified by colourful celebrations some with a degree of religious reverence and others giving locals the chance to kick back, relax and let their hair down. From a visitor’s perspective, Boun Pi Mai in April is perhaps the most interesting festival to be around for while Boun Bang Fai in May is also certainly worthy of mention.

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Vietnamese Tet/Chinese New Year: is celebrated with fervour in the country’s capital and also in Pakse and Savannakhet. Parties are held, thousands of fireworks are set off and the locals make trips to Chinese and Vietnamese temples.

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April Festivals

Boun Pi Mai: is the lunar calendar’s New Year and is a three-day public holiday in Laos which is celebrated with a variety of rituals and festivities. Typically the locals ceremonially poured water over Buddha statues and while this ritual is still observed, it has also descended into the water fighting affair that is characteristic of Songkran held at the same time in neighbouring Thailand, although not quite with the same intensit

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June Festivals

Khao Phansaa: is a festival marking the start of the three-month period considered the Buddhist version of Lent. The festival lasts until the full moon in October and is a time during which many Laotian males are ordained into monkhood.

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September Festivals

Boun Khao Salak: is otherwise known as full moon day and sees boat races in many parts of the country.

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December Festivals

Hmong New Year: members of the Hmong hill tribe celebrate their own new year with colourful festivities in a variety of tribal villages and areas where the Hmong reside

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