From candlelit rivers in Laos to volcano pilgrimages in Indonesia, every festival in Southeast Asia tells a story. These standout cultural events in each of the region’s 10 countries reflect a mix of each nation’s unique traditions. Whether you’re building an Southeast Asia itinerary or just curious about what’s out there, this month-by-month guide highlights the best ASEAN festivals to catch throughout the year.
January
Image courtesy of PhilippinesSinulog Festival — Philippines
Held in Cebu City on the third Sunday of January, Sinulog is a premier event in the Philippines and one of the major festivals in Southeast Asia. It honors the Santo Niño, with traditional street dances that mimic the flow of water, reflecting the festival’s name. The festival draws millions every year.
Tet Nguyen Dan — Vietnam
Held around late January or early February, Tet Nguyen Dan, Vietnam‘s New Year’s, is marked by fireworks, lion dances, altar offerings, and banh chung (sticky rice cakes). The streets come alive with peach blossoms in the north and apricot flowers in the south.
Image courtesy of Singapore Tourism BoardPongal Harvest Festival — Singapore
Celebrated by Singapore‘s Tamil communities, Pongal honors the sun god for a bountiful harvest. Head to Little India for the kolam (rice flour drawings) and enjoy the dish of the same name, Pongal, made of sweetened rice and milk porridge. There are also street performances and craft fairs.
February
Chiang Mai Flower Festival — Thailand
Every first weekend of February, Chiang Mai transforms into a floating garden. Locals create floral floats and intricate displays that line the streets. It’s a celebration of the region’s blooming season and love of horticulture, offering a romantic vibe that’s perfect for photos and picnics.
Brunei Gastronomy Festival 2026 — Brunei
Set for the whole month of February 2026, this festival is sure to be a food lover’s dream. It will highlight Brunei‘s culinary heritage through pop-ups highlighting modern takes on traditional dishes like ambuyat. It’s definitely one for your list of must-try food in Southeast Asia.
Image courtesy of LaosVat Phou Festival — Laos
At the Vat Phou temple complex in Champasak, thousands gather during the third full moon of the Buddhist lunar calendar. The festival includes almsgiving, music, dance, and boat racing. It’s one of the most spiritually charged ASEAN cultural events.
March
World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony — Thailand
Muay Thai fighters from around the globe converge in Ayutthaya to pay respect to their teachers in this ceremonial gathering. Alongside the wai khru ritual, there are exhibitions, matches, and martial arts demonstrations that offer an immersive look into this ancient sport.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri — Singapore
Marking the end of Ramadan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Singapore will run from mid-February to the end of March 2026. The streets of Geylang Serai come alive with colorful light displays and the Gemilang Kampong Gelam celebration offers heritage displays, sustainability-themed exhibits, and nightly performances.
April
Songkran Festival — Thailand
Thailand‘s New Year becomes the world’s biggest water fight at the Songkran Festival as cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok turn into splash zones. Originally a ritual for washing away sins and misfortunes, Songkran is a super fun festival in ASEAN you don’t want to miss.
Lao New Year — Laos
Known as Pi Mai, the Lao New Year takes place in mid-April with parades, traditional dance, and, of course, lots of water-throwing. Temples are filled with sand stupas and flower offerings, and the Mekong becomes a hub for boat races and floating candle rituals.
Sangkranta Khmer New Year — Cambodia
In Cambodia, the Khmer New Year is a three-day celebration where streets fill with music, water fights, and games like tug-of-war and traditional dances. Temples offer quieter moments of reflection, while markets dish out Khmer specialties like kralan (sticky rice in bamboo).
May
Image courtesy of Brunei
Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration — Brunei
In Brunei, the end of Ramadan is a grand affair. During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, open houses hosted by families, businesses, and even the royal family serve endless food and drinks. There’s even the chance to greet the Sultan at Istana Nurul Iman.
Singapore International Festival of Arts – Singapore
The Singapore International Festival of Arts has become the city’s flagship performing arts event. It features boundary-pushing works across theatre, music, dance, film, and visual arts. It is one of the most major festivals in Southeast Asia, drawing international artists and audiences alike.
Hue Festival — Vietnam
Held every two years in Vietnam’s former imperial capital, Hue, this festival celebrates the city’s cultural legacy through music, dance, parades, and art. It’s a dynamic blend of heritage and spectacle that brings Vietnam’s past to life on a global stage.
June
Yadnya Kasada Bromo — Indonesia
In East Java, locals trek to the crater of Mount Bromo to toss offerings like fruits, livestock, and flowers into the volcano. It’s a unique blend of Hindu beliefs and ancient Tengger customs, all set against the dramatic landscape of a smoldering caldera.
Penang International Food Festival — Malaysia
Celebrating Penang‘s food scene, this festival offers everything from hawker stall pop-ups to chef-led masterclasses. Visitors can sample everything from laksa to char kway teow, making it one of the tastiest Southeast Asia festivals for foodies.
Dragon Boat Festival — Singapore
This exhilarating festival is all about speed and rhythm. Teams race along the Kallang River in colorfully painted boats to the beat of drums. As part of the tradition, spectators also enjoy zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling filled with sweet or savory ingredients.
July
Image courtesy of IndonesiaBali Arts Festival 2025 — Indonesia
From June 21 to July 19, immerse yourself in Bali‘s artistic soul through dance, sculpture, music, and ceremonial parades. What makes this one of the most cherished festivals in ASEAN is that it is community-led, with locals performing, crafting, and curating every part of it.
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival — Thailand
Marking the start of Buddhist Lent, this festival showcases enormous, hand-carved wax sculptures paraded through the streets. Artists spend weeks sculpting candles into intricate scenes from Buddhist lore. The result is a glowing tribute to Thailand’s faith and artistry.
Sultan of Brunei’s Birthday — Brunei
Brunei knows how to celebrate its monarch. From July 15 to the end of the month, there are fireworks, cultural showcases, and a royal procession at Istana Nurul Iman. It’s a majestic look into Brunei’s royal pageantry and a must-add to any ASEAN festival tours.
August
Image courtesy of IndonesiaBaliem Valley Cultural Festival (Festival Budaya Lembeh Baliem) — Indonesia
During this early August festival, the highlands of Papua come alive with tribal ceremonies, stone cooking rituals, and mock battles. It’s a captivating glimpse into traditions preserved far from the bustle of urban Indonesia, making it an essential part of many ASEAN festival tours.
Singapore Night Festival — Singapore
The streets of the Bras Basah Bugis precinct lights up with art installations, pop-up performances, and late-night museum openings. Street dancers, projection art, and food stalls line the roads for an all-night city celebration.
Royal Floria Putrajaya — Malaysia
Malaysia‘s premier flower and garden show transforms the administrative capital, Putrajaya, with floral tunnels, orchid gardens, bonsai trees, and kid-friendly exhibits. This festival is an underrated but lovely part of any list of things to do in Southeast Asia.
Image courtesy of BruneiKadayawan Festival — Philippines
Held in Davao City every third week of August, this festival honors the harvest season. Expect floral floats, tribal dances, and local fruit feasts featuring durian, mangosteen, and pomelo. It’s a fantastic showcase of the country’s cultural depth and biodiversity.
September
Image courtesy of Singapore Tourism BoardMid-Autumn Festival – Singapore
Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, this festival marks the end of the harvest season and the full, bright moon. Chinatown glows with colorful lanterns, while stalls sell both classic and modern mooncake flavors at one of the most beloved festivals in ASEAN.
KL International Arts Festival — Malaysia
The Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival is a month-long celebration of creativity featuring artists from Malaysia and across the world with performances in theatre, dance, music, and visual arts. It’s a highlight on the calendar for fans of ASEAN cultural events.
Kate Festival — Vietnam
The Kate Festival is a major three-day celebration by the Cham people in southern Vietnam, especially in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces. Blending Hindu rites with local traditions, the festival includes temple ceremonies, ancestral offerings, folk games, and music.
October
Naga Fireball Phenomenon — Thailand
Each October during the full moon, glowing red orbs mysteriously rise from the Mekong River near Nong Khai. Locals attribute the lights to the mythical Naga serpent, while researchers suggest they are combustible gases. Either way, this is one of the most intriguing ASEAN festivals.
Lai Heua Fai Festival — Laos
Celebrated in Luang Prabang, the Lai Heua Fai Festival is a stunning tribute to water and light. Locals craft boats from bamboo and paper, adorning them with candles and flowers before releasing them into the Mekong River, symbolizing the release of misfortune.
Image courtesy of PhilippinesMassKara Festival in Bacolod — Philippines
Held every fourth Sunday of October in Bacolod City, the MassKara Festival is a celebration of joy and resilience. Born out of economic hardship in the 1980s, its name means “many faces,” referring to the colorful, smiling masks worn by dancers during street parades.
November
Loi Krathong Festival — Thailand
This beautiful festival in ASEAN is celebrated on the evening of the full moon in the 12th lunar month. Participants create “krathong”, decorated baskets made from banana leaves, flowers, and candles, and release them into rivers to thank the water goddess.
Image courtesy of PhilippinesHigantes Festival in Angono, Rizal — Philippines
In Angono, Rizal, giant paper-mâché figures parade the streets in a celebration of Saint Clement. Held the Sunday before November 23rd, this vibrant festival in ASEAN is rooted in the way that locals once used exaggerated puppets to mock colonial landlords.
December
Image courtesy of BruneiBrunei December Festival — Brunei
During this festival, themed pop-up events span all four of Brunei’s districts all month, showcasing the kingdom’s creativity and charm. Expect everything from adventure races and culinary trails to family-friendly expos and interactive showcases.
Light and Motion Putrajaya — Malaysia
This futuristic light festival blends 3D projections, drone shows, and eco-conscious themes. The event transforms Putrajaya’s Precinct 3 into a glowing corridor of color and creativity. As one of the more modern Southeast Asia festivals, it blends entertainment with innovation.
Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade — Thailand
Even in this Buddhist-majority country, Sakon Nakhon holds a stunning Christmas parade featuring illuminated floats shaped like stars. Taking place each year near Christmas, the event centers around St. Michael’s Cathedral in Tha Rae, home to the country’s largest Roman Catholic community.
Oóc Om Bóc Festival — Vietnam
In southern Vietnam, this Khmer celebration honors the moon and marks the end of the rainy season. Rituals include moon worship and exciting longboat races. Traditionally held on the full moon of the 10th lunar month, the festival is rooted in the Khmer’s agricultural calendar.
