Southeast Asia Festivals and Events
January
Chinese New Year, Singapore
Singapore sees the best of the Chinese New Year celebrations outside of China which goes off from the end of January and into February. The three-day party in Singapore features lots of dragon parading and fireworks.
Ati-Atihan Festival, Philippines
Ati-Atihan Festival is a noisy annual street parade which celebrates Santo Niño and is the wildest among Philippine fiestas. The fortnight festival is best seen during the last three days where participants paint their faces with black soot, don outrageous costumes and dance wildly.
Independence Day, Burma
Burma’s Independence Day happens all over the country with Yangon (Rangoon) seeing the best of it.
February
Thaipusam, Malaysia and Singapore
Thaipusam in Malaysia and Singapore happens about the same time as Chinese New Year and is somewhat of a barbaric festival for the male Hindu populace. Men give thanks for prayers by carrying steel racks (known as kavadis) on their person via skewers.
Magha Puja, Laos
Temples are lit up for this holy event which marks the date when the Lord Buddha spoke to 1,250 monks.
March
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival, Burma
Burma’s most famous temple in the capital Yangon sees colourful processions and much merit making.
Balinese New Year (Hari Raya Nyepi), Indonesia
The ‘Day of Silence’ features 24 hours of quiet meditation and reflection where practicing Hari Raya Nyepi must abstain from all activities of pleasure, such as talking and eating.
Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival, Thailand
The annual rocket festival takes place in mid-March in Phaya Thaen Park, Yasothon Province, to help bring rains for the crops, with a ritual on the first day, a rocket procession on the second and the launching on the third.
Pattaya International Music Festival, Thailand
Free concerts in mid-March feature local and international musicians at Thailand’s noisiest beach resort.
April
Songkran, Thailand
The Thai traditional New Year (April 13 to 15) is a mass water fight which has overtaken the festival’s original religious meaning. People everywhere get soaked; locals, tourists, businessmen, businesswomen, policemen, everyone.
May
Araquio Festival, Philippines
This religious festival is unique to the Philippines and harks back to the Spanish colonial days which saw much conflict between Muslims and Christians. They learned to get on with one another and today celebrate with this festival.
Ba Chua Xu Festival, Vietnam
Vietnam’s Sam Mountain is the scene of this four-day event where ceremonies are held at the many temples and shrines.
June
Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, Malaysia
The island of Penang is the setting for this fun event which sees large teams sprint long dragon boats to the sound of rhythmic beating.
Dumpling Festival, Singapore
The Dumpling Festival is an important Chinese festival in Singapore and a fun one at that; especially for dumpling fans.
July
Bali Arts Festival, Indonesia
Held not far from popular Kuta beach the Bali Arts Festival features musicians and dancers perform after a spectacular opening procession.
OSIM Singapore Triathlon, Singapore
Held at Singapore’s East Coast Park in mid-July, participants swim 1.5kms in the sea followed by a lengthy bike ride and then a run. Athletes from all over the world participate.
Rainforest World Music Festival – Borneo, Malaysia
The event takes place at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching In mid-July with a three-day celebration of music, nature, and the culture of the island.
August
Kuala Lumpur International Tower Jump, Malaysia
Base jumpers legally dive off the KL Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur) with a three-second freefall.
Honchien Temple Festival, Vietnam
Revelers gear-up for this fun procession near the Perfume River in central Vietnam.
Independence Day, Indonesia
Hari Proklamasi Kemerdekaan RI commemorates Indonesia’s independence from Japan with military parades and fireworks displays.
September
Feast of Nuestra Senora Penafrancia, Philippines
Our Lady’s image is taken to the Bicol River in Naga City by a colourful procession.
Ramadan Bazaar, Malaysia
The Ramadan Bazaar marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan with much eating and side events in towns and cities throughout Malaysia.
October
Dragon Boat Races, Laos
Late October sees every riverside town in Laos, and particularly Luang Prabang, celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent with frenzied carnivals and lots of racing.
Deepavali, Singapore
The Hindu month of Aipasi sees Little India in Singapore light up in late October/early November.
November
Loy Krathong, Thailand
This most traditional of Thai festivals rids bad luck from one’s life with the launching of handmade boats (krathongs) made from banana stalks and leaves. The boats are launched on rivers and coastal all over the country.
That Luang Festival, Laos
Vientiane’s biggest festival in early November sees thousands of Buddhist followers converge on That Luang temple where the giving of alms and flower processions go over several days. A huge market, live music, dancing and drinking ensues.
Hmong New Year, Laos
One of northern Laos’s largest ethnic groups put on some fine performances, games and fun events during their traditional new year.
December
King’s Birthday, Thailand
Thailand’s much loved king has his birthday on December 5; a national holiday where much singing and flag waving happens. The Grand Palace in Bangkok is well lit up while Phuket holds the King’s Cup Regatta in his honour.
Christmas (Hari Natal), Indonesia
Indonesia celebrates Christmas like no other country in Southeast Asia due to its vast Christian populace.
