Festival calendar
Asian festival calendar (49 festivals and destinations)
Festivals and destinations in Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia, sorted by date with the soonest first. Festivals that have ended show the date of the next edition.
Coming up
Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2026: 10–18 October, white clothes, yellow flags and nine days of fasting
10–18 October 2026
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival runs 10–18 October 2026. It follows days one to nine of the ninth lunar month, so 2027 is expected on 30 September–8 October. Processions centre on Phuket Old Town and are free to watch.
Loy Krathong 2026: full moon on 24 November (est.) in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Sukhothai
24 November 2026 (est.)
Loy Krathong 2026 is expected on Tuesday 24 November. Bangkok opened 33 city parks in 2025, Sukhothai Historical Park runs its festival on 15–24 November and Chiang Mai marks Yi Peng.
Yi Peng 2026 in Chiang Mai: 24–25 November (est.), no lanterns in the city, releases only at licensed events
24–25 November 2026 (est.)
Yi Peng 2026 is expected on 24–25 November in Chiang Mai. Since 2025 all of Mueang district bans sky lanterns, so the old city has paper lanterns, clay lamps and parades instead.
River Kwai Bridge Week 2026: 25 November–5 December (est., TAT provisional), light and sound on the Death Railway
25 November – 5 December 2026 (est.)
TAT lists River Kwai Bridge Week in Kanchanaburi for 25 November–5 December 2026. After dark a light-and-sound show retells the building of the Death Railway on the bridge, and entry was free in 2025.
Chichibu Night Festival 2026: 2–3 December, floats hauled up Dango-zaka under fireworks on the 3rd
2–3 December 2026
The Chichibu Night Festival is always held on 2 and 3 December. In 2026 that is a Wednesday and Thursday. On the night of the 3rd, six floats are hauled up Dango-zaka into the otabisho as fireworks go up.
Go any time of year
Alishan sunrise and Forest Railway: visible year-round, reached by the pre-dawn Zhushan Line train
The Alishan sunrise can be seen all year round. The Zhushan Line timetable shifts with it every day. The usual plan is to stay on the mountain and take the train up to the viewpoint before dawn.
Beitou Hot Springs: sulphur valley and bathhouses by MRT
Beitou's hot springs are open all year, with no fixed dates. From Xinbeitou MRT Station you can walk to the Hot Spring Museum, Thermal Valley and bathhouses, with public baths, private rooms and spring hotels.
Komodo National Park: dry-season island-hopping and ranger-led dragon walks
Komodo National Park lies off western Flores and became a World Heritage Site in 1991. It protects the Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard. Most visitors sail from Labuan Bajo.
Seasonal: timing depends on each year's bloom or foliage
Aowanda maple season: mid-November to late December in Renai, Nantou
Aowanda's sweetgum leaves turn red from about mid-November to late December. The park in Renai, Nantou keeps an intact native Formosan sweetgum forest, and in cold, damp winters the colour can last into January.
Hakka Tung Blossom Festival: April to May on the hill trails of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli
The Hakka Tung Blossom Festival follows the tung bloom, roughly April to May, and peak bloom shifts with the weather. In 2026 it ran from 18 April into early May on village trails in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli.
Japan autumn leaves 2026: Kyoto and Tokyo peak mid-November to early December, Nikko earlier
Japan's autumn leaves have no fixed date; central Kyoto and Tokyo usually turn mid-November to early December. Nikko, higher up, turns earlier and is two hours from Asakusa; Ohara's Sanzen-in is a quieter Kyoto pick.
Japan cherry blossoms 2027: expected from late March, and where to see them in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Japan's cherry blossoms have no fixed date. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka usually reach full bloom between late March and early April, often a week or two earlier or later, and the exact days depend on that year's forecast.
Already over this year
Show 37 festivals that have ended
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival 2027: expected 15–17 January in Bo Sang village near Chiang Mai
Next: 15–17 January 2027 (est.)
The next Bo Sang Umbrella Festival is expected on 15–17 January 2027. The 41st, on 16–18 January 2026 about 9 km east of Chiang Mai, had a float parade, a bicycle parade and a pageant.
Sapporo Snow Festival 2027: 4–11 February, 1.5 km of snow sculptures in Odori Park
Next: 4–11 February 2027
The Sapporo Snow Festival is held every early February, and all three sites are free. The 76th edition ran 4–11 February 2026 at Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome, and the 77th runs 4–11 February 2027.
Yanshui Beehive Fireworks 2027: est. 19–20 February, full protective gear required
Next: 19–20 February 2027 (est.)
The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks are run by the Yanshui Wu Temple around the Lantern Festival. In 2027 expect 19–20 February, with the main towers on 20 February. Full protective gear is required in the main firing zone.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival 2027: mass releases est. around Lantern Festival night, 20 February
Next: 20 February 2027 (est.)
Pingxi's 2027 mass releases are expected around Lantern Festival night, 20 February. In 2026 they were on 27 February in Pingxi and 3 March in Shifen, both from 18:00.
Taiwan Lantern Festival 2027: 20 February–7 March (est.), around HSR Miaoli Station
Next: 20 February – 7 March 2027 (est.)
The 2027 Taiwan Lantern Festival is in Houlong, Miaoli. The lantern area surrounds HSR Miaoli Station, provisionally 20 February (Yuanxiao) to 7 March 2027. The 2026 edition ran 3–15 March in Chiayi County.
Makha Bucha 2027: 21 February, candlelit walks around temple stupas across Thailand
Next: 21 February 2027
Makha Bucha 2027 falls on Sunday 21 February, with Monday 22 February off. After dark, worshippers circle a stupa three times with candles. Alcohol sales are banned, except at hotels and airport terminals (2026).
Nyepi 2027: Bali goes dark for 24 hours on 8 March
Next: 8 March 2027
Nyepi 2027 falls on Monday, 8 March. Bali shuts down for 24 hours from 6 a.m., with no flights, closed ports and visitors kept indoors. On the evening of 7 March, villages parade Ogoh-ogoh effigies.
Semana Santa in Larantuka 2027: Good Friday processions on 26 March in eastern Flores
Next: 26 March 2027
Larantuka's Holy Week takes place on the eastern tip of Flores, and Good Friday 2027 is 26 March. A morning sea procession escorts Tuan Meninu, and a candlelit procession follows at night.
Poy Sang Long 2027: expected 31 March–5 April, Mae Hong Son's novice ordination parade
Next: 31 March – 5 April 2027 (est.)
Poy Sang Long in Mae Hong Son is next expected on 31 March–5 April 2027. In 2026 about 30 Shan boys at Wat Chong Kham were shaved, paraded as princes and ordained on 31 March–3 April.
Songkran 2027: 13–15 April (Tue–Thu) in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Pattaya
Next: 13–15 April 2027
Songkran 2027 runs 13–15 April (Tuesday to Thursday), per the Bank of Thailand. Bangkok closes Silom and Khao San roads for water fights, Chiang Mai fights around its old-city moat, and Pattaya's Wan Lai comes later.
Takayama Festival 2027: spring Sanno Matsuri at Hie Shrine, 14–15 April, with floats and karakuri puppets
Next: 14–15 April 2027
The Takayama Festival is two events in Takayama's old town, Gifu. The spring Sanno Matsuri is on 14–15 April (next in 2027), the autumn Hachiman Matsuri on 9–10 October. Neither has viewing seats.
Bun Bang Fai 2027: Yasothon's rain-calling rocket festival, expected 7–9 May
Next: 7–9 May 2027 (est.)
Yasothon's rocket festival ran on 8–10 May 2026, and the next is expected on 7–9 May 2027. Villages across Isan fire homemade bamboo rockets before the rains to call for rain, and Yasothon's is the best known.
Aoi Matsuri 2027: Kyoto's Heian-era procession on 15 May
Next: 15 May 2027
Aoi Matsuri is held in Kyoto every 15 May, or the 16th if it rains. About 511 people in Heian-era dress walk from the Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine. Watching is free; paid seats are at Kyoto Gyoen and Shimogamo.
Vesak at Borobudur 2027: 20 May full moon, monks' procession and lanterns
Next: 20 May 2027
Vesak at Borobudur falls on Thursday, 20 May 2027. A procession leaves Mendut temple in the morning, meditation follows in the afternoon, and ticketed lanterns go up after dark. 2026 was 31 May.
Yadnya Kasada 2027: est. around 20 May, with Bromo closed to tourists during the rite
Next: 20 May 2027 (est.)
Yadnya Kasada 2026 took place on 1 June. Tengger people cast crops, livestock and other offerings into Mount Bromo's crater. The next one is expected around 20 May 2027, and the area closes to tourists during the rite.
Tabuik 2027 in Pariaman: est. start around 6 June, towers cast into the sea at Gandoriah Beach before sunset
Next: 6 June 2027 (est.)
Tabuik ran from 16 to 28 June 2026 in Pariaman, West Sumatra. The next one should start around 6 June 2027. Two Tabuik towers honour Husayn, killed at Karbala, and end up in the sea.
Dragon Boat Festival 2027 in Taiwan: where to watch the races on 9 June
Next: 9 June 2027
Duanwu falls on 9 June 2027, with dragon boat races on the days around it. In 2026 Taipei, Kaohsiung, Yilan and Tainan raced over the holiday weekend, and Kaohsiung added night races.
Nagoshi no Harae 2027: 30 June at shrines across Japan, walking through the chinowa ring
Next: 30 June 2027
Nagoshi no Harae is held at shrines across Japan around 30 June. Its core is walking through a chinowa, a large ring of cogon grass, to leave the first half-year's impurities behind; some shrines also take paper figures.
Gion Matsuri 2027: both float processions fall on Saturdays, 17 and 24 July
Next: 1–31 July 2027
Both 2027 Gion Matsuri float processions fall on Saturdays: 17 and 24 July. The festival runs all of July (2026 ran 1–31 July), and on the Yoiyama evenings before each procession you can walk among the lit floats.
Ubon Candle Festival 2027: expected 17–19 July in Ubon Ratchathani, giant wax sculptures for Buddhist Lent
Next: 17–19 July 2027 (est.)
The 2026 Ubon Candle Festival held its main programme on 28–30 July, and the next is expected on 17–19 July 2027. Giant wax sculptures gather at Thung Si Mueang park and parade through central Ubon Ratchathani.
Keelung Ghost Festival 2027: 2–31 August (seventh lunar month), water lanterns on the night of 15 August
Next: 2–31 August 2027
The 2027 Keelung Ghost Festival runs 2–31 August, the seventh lunar month. Lanterns go into the sea at Wanghai Lane on 15 August. In 2026 the month ran 13 August–10 September, with the release on 26 August.
Awa Odori 2027: 12–15 August in Tokushima City, ticketed enbujo seats or free street viewing
Next: 12–15 August 2027
Awa Odori runs in Tokushima City every year from 12 to 15 August. Seats at the three paid enbujo are sold through Ticket Pia; the streets and four free venues need no ticket. 2027 dates: 12–15 August.
Dieng Culture Festival 2027: the ruwatan haircut for children with matted hair, est. late August
Next: 27–29 August 2027 (est.)
The Dieng Culture Festival ran from 28 to 30 August 2026. It centres on the ruwatan haircut for children with matted (gimbal) hair, and the full programme needs a participant package. 2027 is expected in late August.
Boon Khao Pradap Din 2027: expected 31 August, leaf-wrapped offerings laid on the ground across Isan
Next: 31 August 2027 (est.)
Boon Khao Pradap Din is expected on 31 August 2027. The 2026 edition took place on 11 September. Isan families lay leaf-wrapped food on the ground for ancestors and unclaimed spirits. There is no single main venue.
Mid-Autumn Festival 2027 in Taiwan: barbecues, pomelos and mooncakes on 15 September
Next: 15 September 2027
Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Wednesday 15 September 2027. Taipei allows barbecues only in designated riverside-park zones; Tainan and Kaohsiung suit waterfront moon-watching.
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri 2027: multi-ton wooden floats cornering at full speed, est. 18–19 September
Next: 18–19 September 2027 (est.)
Kishiwada's September danjiri festival falls on the weekend before Respect for the Aged Day. It ran on 19–20 September 2026; 2027 is estimated at 18–19 September, with wooden floats taking corners at full speed.
Sat Thai 2027: expected 30 September, dawn offerings at temples across Thailand
Next: 30 September 2027 (est.)
Sat Thai fell on 11 October 2026, and the next is expected on 30 September 2027. At dawn people take krayasart to temples for the monks and dedicate the merit to their ancestors. Any temple welcomes you.
Nagasaki Kunchi 2027: 7–9 October at Suwa Shrine and city stages, with dragon dances and boat floats
Next: 7–9 October 2027
Nagasaki Kunchi runs every year on 7–9 October, and the next edition is 7–9 October 2027. Dragon dances, boat floats and other dances are performed at Suwa Shrine and several city venues, each selling its own seats.
Donggang King Boat Ceremony 2027: triennial rite, expected in autumn
Next: dates to be announced
The Donggang King Boat Ceremony is held every three years. The next one is in 2027, with dates not yet announced. It runs eight days at Donglong Temple and ends with the King Boat burned on the beach at Zhenhai Park.
Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage 2027: departure date to be announced after divination on 20 February (usually March–April)
Next: dates to be announced
The 2027 departure date has not been announced yet. The pilgrimage usually starts in March or April. Mazu travels nine days on foot from Jenn Lann Temple in Dajia to Xingang and back. In 2026 she left on 17 April.
Penghu Fireworks Festival 2027: weekly shows over Magong harbour, est. May to August
Next: weekly shows from May to August 2027 (est.)
Penghu's fireworks festival is expected to run weekly from May to August 2027. In 2026 it ran 4 May–25 August over the sea off Guanyinting Park in Magong, with 700 drones at the main shows.
Bali Arts Festival 2027: a month of dance and gamelan in Denpasar, est. mid-June to mid-July
Next: mid-June to mid-July 2027 (est.)
The 2027 Bali Arts Festival is expected mid-June to mid-July. Entry is free, with dance, gamelan and drama every afternoon and evening at the Art Centre in Denpasar. The 2027 theme is Wana Kerthi.
Phi Ta Khon 2027: dates to be announced (usually June–July), the Dan Sai mask parade in Loei
Next: dates to be announced
Dates for Phi Ta Khon 2027 have not been announced. Recent editions fell between mid-June and early July. In 2026 it ran 20–22 June, with the mask parade on day two.
Toraja funeral season 2027: est. July–August, attending Rambu Solo' respectfully
Next: no fixed date
Rambu Solo', Toraja's grand funeral, has no fixed date and peaks in July–August. The next peak is expected in July–August 2027. Funerals take place in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi.
Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival 2027: est. 3 July–15 August at Dongshan River Water Park
Next: 3 July–15 August 2027 (est.)
The next Yilan Children's Festival is estimated to run from 3 July to 15 August 2027. The 2026 edition ran 4 July–16 August at Dongshan River Water Park, with water play and folk troupes.
Jember Fashion Carnaval 2027: est. July–August, a 3.6 km fashion parade through Jember, East Java
Next: July–August 2027 (est.)
Jember Fashion Carnaval, founded in 2003 by the late Dynand Fariz, ran on 24–26 July 2026; 2027 is expected in July or August. The final-day Grand Carnival runs about 3.6 km, with grandstand seats sold online.
Baliem Valley Festival 2027: dates to be announced (held each August), mock battles and earth ovens in Wamena
Next: dates to be announced
The Baliem Valley Festival ran on 7–8 August 2026 in Wamena, Highland Papua. Dates for 2027 are not yet announced. It features dance, bakar batu stone cooking, pig races and a mock battle.