There are many annual festivals that are  not to be missed in Laos. Check out Nicole’s list of must see festivals and events.

• Bun Pi Mai or Lao New Years – celebrate with the beginning of the New Year with the country of Laos. The Lao New Year is also known as the water festival. It will be hard to stay dry or not join in with the locals during this time of year. This is also when sacred Buddha statues are brought down for their annual cleansing.

April 13-15, all of Laos

• Bun Awk Phansa -Fire boat festival – One of the most beautiful festivals in Laos. In Luang Prabang this festival is also known as the festival of lights. Homes, businesses and temples decorate in lights and candles. There is a parade of lights as well as large bamboo and paper boats handmade by villages in town. The boats are released into the Mekong along with thousands of banana leaf boats carrying candles and incense. If there is any festival not to miss, this is the one. The entire city of Luang Prabang is illuminated.

October 13, Luang Prabang

• Bun Haw Khao Padap Din – Boat Racing Festival – This day in Luang Prabang is special for two reasons. One it is the day in which many of the living pay respect to the dead with offerings and ceremonies at many of the temples. This is also when teams from in and around Luang Prabang compete in long tail boat racing.  The streets are filled with food vendors, shops and games along the river where you can find a spot to witness this national sport.

August 27 and 28, Luang Prabang

• Hmong New Year –  This is when the ethnic tribe of Hmong people celebrate the coming of the new year. This festival is approximately 10 days and is found mostly in Northern Laos. It is the time in which Hmong dress in their best traditional clothing, give offerings to ancestors, play games and join together in ceremony.

TBD in December 2011, Northern Laos… Read more »