Believe it or not, I’ve been living in Asia for a year now! Asia is known for its unusual celebrations which guarantee fun and cool cultural experiences. Let’s take a look at some unique festivals in Asia and let’s see which one you should add to your Asia bucket list. Some of these festivals are the best festivals around the world. It might also give you Asia trip ideas for your next holiday.
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Top Festivals in Asia
Songkran Festival, Thailand
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What is the Songkran Festival?
Songkran is the Thai New Year National holiday. Songkran refers to change and transformation. Songkran is celebrated with water – picture water pistols, buckets filled with water and water splashing everywhere! As soon as you step outside you can expect to be totally wet, so leaving your accommodation is at your own risk! This celebration can last from three days up to a week.
When is the Songkran Festival?
April 13th to April 15th, 2020
Where is the Songkran Festival?
You can experience Songkran throughout Thailand, although, it’s the most popular in Chiang Mai where it lasts a lot longer than anywhere else.
Travel Tips
Book your accommodation in advance and make sure you have a waterproof phone case as well as a dry bag.
Yee Peng Festival, Lantern Festival, Thailand
What is the Yee Peng Festival?
Also known as the Lantern Festival, Yee Pang (Yi Peng) is celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month every year, which is normally around mid-November. People will then release floating lanterns into the sky.
When is the Yee Peng Festival?
October 31st until November 2nd, 2020
Where is the Yee Peng Festival?
Yee Peng Festival is held in Chiang Mai but you should know that you could also attend a different Lantern Festival in other countries such as in Taiwan, China or Vietnam.
Travel Tips
Book your accommodation in advance!
Chinese New Year, China, Singapore and Malaysia
What is the Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and can also be celebrated with a lantern festival. It can take up to 15 days to complete the celebrations in which you would see fireworks, lanterns, several meals, etc.
When is the Chinese New Year?
February 12th, 2021
Note that some celebrations could vary depending on your destination.
Where is the Chinese New Year?
Of course, you could celebrate it in China, Malaysia or Singapore. It could also be celebrated in other countries in Asia. You just have to verify the dates to make sure it’s celebrated where you’re heading.
Travel Tips
Book your accommodation in advance!
Holi Festival, India and Nepal
What is the Holi Festival?
Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. It’s also known as the color festival where people apply colors on others. Playing Holi is fun and extremely interesting. You can read about my Holi experience here.
When is the Holi Festival?
March 9th, 2020.
March, 28th to 29th March 2021.
Where is the Holi Festival?
Holi is celebrated in India and Nepal. The northern part of India is quite popular for Holi, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Travel Tips
Book your accommodation in advance and wear very old clothes as you will trash everything you wear on that day.
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Full Moon Parties, Thailand
What is the Full Moon Party?
The full moon parties are actually attended by tourists. You can expect a huge beach party where people will be painted and partying until the morning. (I personally have zero interest in these kinds of parties, but I’m not getting any younger!)
When is the Full Moon Party?
Full moon parties are basically for the full moon or other special holidays.
Where is the Full Moon Party?
The Full Moon Party is celebrated in Koh Phangan in Thailand. They also have different versions across the world where the parties are happening on a smaller scale.
Travel Tips
Book your accommodation in advance!
Nyepi, Bali, Indonesia
What is Nyepi?
Nyepi is not a typical festival/celebration. I think it deserves a spot on this list as it’s happening in Bali and I live here! Nyepi is known as the Balinese day of silence where people will remain silent while fasting and meditating. Nobody can actually leave their property either. This Hindu holiday is mostly experienced by the locals but the tourists have to follow the rules too.
That being said, you can’t check in or check out of your accommodation on Nyepi day as everything is closed and you can’t go anywhere. The best thing about Nyepi is the previous night which consists of the celebrations. You can expect music, dance and rituals in which you’ll see giants and stories. It’s very festive and lovely to see.
When is Nyepi?
March 25th, 2020.
March 14th, 2021.
Where is Nyepi?
Nyepi is celebrated in Bali, Indonesia. If you aren’t keen on spending the day inside, you might want to go to another Indonesian island during that time.
Travel Tips
As you can’t check in or check out on Nyepi day, you might want to make sure you like your accommodation and stock up on food.
