Laos Festivals And Major Events
February
Vat Phu festival in Champasak province.
This festival is held during the full moon of the lunar calendar on the ground of the enchanting pre-Ankorian Vat Phu ruins in Champassak. Includes elephant races, buffalo fights, cock fighting and performances of traditional music and dance. There is a trade fair displaying products of southern Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
That Sikhotabong festival in Kammouane province.
This traditional religious festival is held in That Sikhotabong stupa located about 8 km south of Thakhek. Built during 9th and 10th centuries, the stupa was restored in 1950s.
April
Laos new year festival in many places especially in Vientiane and Luang Prabang provinces.
"Pi Mai" or lunar new year is the time when the entire country (it also is celebrated in Thailand and Myanmar at the same times) take part in this water cleansing event to mark the entering into new year. People dose each other with water, clean their households and temple places, and many performances and shows are also held during this period.
August
Boat racing festival in Luang Prabang.
There are boat racing on Khane river, and trade shows in the Luang prabang city.
September
Boat racing festival in Kammouane province.
There are boat racing on Sebangfai river, trade fair showing agricultural products and local handicrafts, traditional music and dance, etc.
October
Boat racing in Vientiane, Champasak and Savannakhet provinces.
They are held in association with Ork Pansa which marks the end of the monks' three months fast and retreat during the rainy season. Long boat racing are held in order to worship the river spirits. In Vientiane there are also candle light processions around the temples in the evening of Ork Pansa followed by the exciting boat race in Mekong river next day.
November
That Luang festival in Vientiane.
This religious festival is held in and around That Luang stupa. It includes giving alms to the monks, trade fairs and fireworks at night.
December
Hmong new year in Oudomxay, Xieng Khouang and Luang Prabang provinces.
These include colorful display of traditional costumes made from green, red and white silk and silver jewellery, musical instruments, and festivities including ox fighting, spinning top race, cross-bow demonstrations.
