This Buddhist event honours the penultimate reincarnation of Buddha, when he was known as King Pha Vet. During the festival, monks recount the story of a prince who was exiled after giving away the kingdom’s treasured possessions, including a white elephant. The recitation, which spans a thousand verses, takes three days and nights to complete. The celebration includes festivals, dances and spiritual rituals held at temples and monasteries across the country.

Coinciding with the third full moon of the lunar calendar, this annual event celebrates the rich history of the pre-Angkorian Wat Phou ruins in Champasak. Festivities include traditional Lao music and dance performances as well as a candlelight procession in the evening. The event also features a lively fair displaying handicrafts from Laos and neighbouring countries.

Marking the start of the New Year in Laos, this joyous celebration is a time for making merit and honouring tradition. Buddha images are bathed with scented water and people pray for good luck, peace and happiness in the coming year. During the festivities, it is common for people to sprinkle water on beloved friends and family as a sign of respect.

This vibrant festival marks the start of the green season in Laos. Celebrations take place in various towns and villages, often featuring traditional performances as well as parades with vibrant dancers and musicians. The highlight of the event is a rocket competition, where locals launch homemade bamboo rockets into the sky to celebrate the arrival of the rain.

Also known as Boun Khao Padabdin, this festival highlight’s the nation’s agricultural traditions as people honour their ancestors and give thanks for a bountiful rice harvest. In Luang Prabang, this festival coincides with an exciting boat racing event where teams race down the Nam Khan River on longboats that span up to 20 metres in length.

This festival marks the end of Buddhist Lent, a period during which monks observe three months of fasting and seclusion. People visit local temples to make offerings and receive blessings. In Luang Prabang, a candlelight procession takes place in the evening, culminating at Wat Xieng Thong, where the candles are released onto the Mekong River in small boats made of banana leaves.

This half marathon event takes participants on a scenic running route through the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Proceeds from this event go towards supporting the Lao Friends Hospital for Children, a pediatric hospital that offers free medical services for children, including emergency and neonatal care.

This religious festival takes place at and around That Luang Stupa in Vientiane, the National Symbol of Laos. Monks walk in single file to bestow blessings and receive alms. A lively market is set up nearby, drawing visitors with delicious food, local crafts and a grand fireworks display in the evening. A similar celebration is also held at Ching Tim Stupa in Luang Namtha Province during the same period.

Celebrating South-East Asian Cinema, this annual event run by a non-profit cultural organisation in Laos showcases some of the region’s best stories told through film. The selections feature the distinctive voices of filmmakers from countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

This vibrant celebration honors the cultural traditions of the Hmong people, the third-largest ethnic group in Laos. The week-long festivities are held in towns and cities across the country, including Luang Prabang, Phonsavan and Vientiane. The event features traditional games like top-spinning and arrow shooting, as well as colorful costumes and lively musical performances.