Festival Calendar Jan 2027

Boun Pha Vet is a major Lao Buddhist festival honouring Prince Vessantara—the Buddha’s penultimate reincarnation known for ultimate generosity. Celebrated across Laos, particularly in Vientiane and southern provinces, the core ritual involves monks continuously reciting the 13-chapter Vessantara Jataka story over 24 hours to generate spiritual merit for attendees. Key traditions include pre-dawn sticky rice processions (Khao Phankone), money tree donations, and mass monk ordinations. Communities rotate event dates, welcoming visitors with grand parades and traditional Khao Poon noodle feasts.

The Wat Phou Festival takes place at Champasak’s pre-Angkorian ruins. Coinciding with Magha Puja, the three-day event features morning almsgiving, candlelit processions, traditional Lao music, dances, and a regional trade fair with vendors from Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Alongside religious rituals, the grounds host local festivities like boat races, Muay Lao kickboxing, and traditional games, honoring the region’s historic fair heritage that historically included elephant processions and buffalo fights.

The International New Year in Cambodia marks a major urban celebration alongside the country’s peak tourist season. Major cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap host vibrant New Year’s Eve countdowns fea-turing public concerts, fireworks displays, and nightlife events. Falling during the dry, cool season, the hol-iday drives heavy domestic and international travel to key destinations like Angkor Wat and coastal islands.

Victory over Genocide Day is an official public holiday marking the overthrow of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime in 1979. The day features official government rallies, military tributes, and wreath-laying cer-emonies at key sites like the Tuol Sleng Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide as citizens honour victims and reflect on national peace and recovery.

Observed as an official public holiday on 1 January, International New Year (Sawatdee Pii Mai) is wide-ly celebrated across Thailand. Major cities feature massive New Year’s Eve countdowns, including Bang-kok’s ICONSIAM and Central World fireworks, as well as street parties in Chiang Mai and Phuket. Concurrently, many locals participate in traditional Buddhist merit-making rituals (Sarn Som Dech), of-fering morning alms to monks and attending late night temple chanting sessions (Suat Mon Kham Pi). Government offices, banks, and businesses close nationwide during the long holiday weekend.

Observed as an official public holiday on 1 January (Tết Dương Lịch), International New Year in Vietnam is a major urban celebration. Government offices, banks, and schools close, granting a short holiday period for city dwellers and domestic travellers. On New Year’s Eve, major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City host vibrant outdoor countdowns, live concerts, and fireworks shows around landmarks like Hoan Kiem Lake and the Saigon River. The holiday also marks a peak travel window for coastal and highland destinations like Da Lat and Phu Quoc

The Perfume Pagoda Festival (Hội Chùa Hương) in Hanoi is Vietnam’s longest Buddhist pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of devotees journey along the scenic Yen Stream by rowboat to pray for prosperity and health at sacred shrines inside Huong Tich Cave. Featuring incense offerings, dragon dances, and traditional music, the festival showcases deep spiritual devotion against a backdrop of dramatic limestone mountains and rivers.

Observed on 1 January as an official public holiday, International New Year’s Day in Myanmar is a key urban event; government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. In major cities like Yangon and Mandalay, locals gather at urban parks and hotel venues for New Year’s Eve countdowns, live concerts, and fireworks. Simultaneously, many Theravada Buddhists mark the Gregorian New Year by offering morning alms and making merit at prominent sites like Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda.

Observed on 1 January (Bagong Taon), New Year’s Day is a national holiday in the Philippines. Government offices, schools, and banks close as families gather nationwide. Midnight on New Year’s Eve features loud fireworks, torotot (party horns), and noise to ward off bad luck. Families share the Media Noche feast, wear polka dots, and display 12 round fruits for good fortune. On January 1, Filipinos attend Catholic Mass, visit relatives, and rest after the overnight celebrations.

Karisyohan han Pasko ha Palo is a month-long festival preserving Waray Christmas traditions. The town plaza and historic Palo Cathedral transform into a festive Christmas Village featuring elaborate light displays, cultural shows, and visits to the Saboren Christmas Fantasy House. Residents observe Simbang Gabi (dawn masses), carolling, and community gatherings throughout the season. While local schools and offices follow national holiday schedules, festival activities run continuously across the month.

Celebrated annually on 9 January in Quiapo, Manila, the Feast of the Black Nazarene (Pista ng Itim na Nazareno) is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, honouring a miraculous dark wooden statue of Jesus Christ. Millions of barefoot devotees participate in the Traslacion, a hours-long procession moving the image to Quiapo Church. Devotees crowd the carriage to touch the statue or wipe it with towels, seeking divine healing and blessings. While not a national public holiday, the City of Manila typically declares 9 January a local non-working day.

Held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, the Sinulog Festival honours the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). Beyond Cebu, regional celebrations occur in cities like Kabankalan, Maasin, Balingasag, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan. The highlight is a grand parade with dancers performing the traditional Sinulog dance: two steps forward, one step back. Moving to drums, participants shout “Pit Senyo!” to ask for blessings. Devotees attend novena masses and a fluvial procession. While not a national holiday, Cebu and participating municipalities declare local non-working days for festivities.

Celebrated on the third Sunday of January in Kalibo, Aklan, Ati-Atihan is known as the “Mother of All Philippine Festivals”. It honours the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and commemorates early friendship between native Ati people and Malay settlers. Participants blacken their skin with soot, wear vibrant tribal costumes, and dance openly through the streets to rhythmic drumming while chanting “Hala Bira!” Devotees attend open-air masses, process with Santo Niño images, and practise the Paapak healing ritual. Kalibo and Aklan provinces declare local non-working days for the event.

Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo City, Dinagyang comes from the Hiligaynon word dagyang, meaning “merrymaking”. The festival honours the Infant Jesus (Santo Niño) and commemorates the historical pact between the Malay Datus and local Ati people. The main highlight is the Ati Tribe Competition, featuring dancers with dark-painted skin performing synchronised choreography to heavy drumbeats. Devotees participate in a fluvial procession, Sadsad street dancing, and the ILOmination night parade. While not a national public holiday, Iloilo City declares local non-working days for the event.

Observed as a national public holiday, International New Year in Indonesia is a major urban event; government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. On New Year’s Eve, cities like Jakarta host concerts and fireworks around landmarks like Bundaran HI and Ancol Beach, while Bali attracts visitors with island-wide beach parties. In contrast, conservative regions emphasise quiet reflection, communal prayers (Doa Bersama), and religious lectures.

Observed on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab, Isra Mi’raj is an official national public holiday in Indonesia. It commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven, where the five daily prayers were ordained. Government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. Indonesian Muslims mark the day by attending mosque lectures (Pengajian), participating in communal prayers (Istighosah), reciting the Quran, and hosting traditional family gatherings (Slametan). It serves as a major nationwide observance for spiritual reflection.

Observed on 1 January, New Year’s Day is a public holiday across most of Malaysia, except in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu. The country hosts diverse events “of all stripes” for both Eve and Day. In Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka Square features cultural performances, live singing, and food stalls, while iconic spots like KLCC Park and other major cities host massive fireworks displays.

Celebrated during the Tamil month of Thai (January/February), Thaipusam is a major Hindu festival honouring Lord Murugan. It is a public holiday in several states, including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Penang. Millions of pilgrims gather at iconic sites like Kuala Lumpur’s Batu Caves and Penang’s Waterfall Hilltop Temple. Devotees perform acts of penance and gratitude by carrying milk pots (paal kudam) or heavy ceremonial structures (kavadi), often piercing their skin with hooks and skewers while ascending the 272 colourful steps to the Batu Caves shrine.

Observed as a public holiday on 1 January, International New Year’s Day is a major island-wide celebration in Singapore. On New Year’s Eve, the iconic Marina Bay Singapore Countdown features massive crowds, light projections, and a famous midnight fireworks display over the skyline. Vibrant street parties, live concerts, and dining events take place across major hubs like Clarke Quay, Sentosa, and Orchard Road.

New Year’s Day is Japan’s most important holiday. Government offices, banks, and businesses close for an extended shutdown as families gather nationwide. Festivities begin New Year’s Eve with eating toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles) and hearing temple bells ring 108 times (Joya no Kane). On 1 January, millions practise hatsumōde (first shrine or temple visit) to pray for luck, feast on multi-tiered osechi-ryōri meals, and receive otoshidama (monetary gifts for children).

Observed on 1 January, Solar New Year’s Day is a national public holiday in South Korea. Government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. On New Year’s Eve, thousands gather in Seoul to hear the Bosingak Bell ring 33 times at midnight. On 1 January, locals eat tteokguk (rice cake soup) for good fortune and often travel to coastal sites like Gangneung or Jeju to watch the year’s first sunrise.

Observed on January 1 as a national public holiday, New Year’s Day officially commemorates the Founding Day of the Republic of China. Government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. On New Year’s Eve, massive crowds gather in cities across Taiwan, anchored by the iconic Taipei 101 fireworks and concerts. On January 1, an official flag-raising ceremony takes place outside the Presidential Office Building in Taipei. Many locals also travel overnight to spots like Alishan or eastern coastlines to watch the year’s first sunrise.

Observed as a public holiday on 1 January, New Year’s Day in Hong Kong bridges the Christmas season and the upcoming Lunar New Year. Government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. On New Year’s Eve, massive crowds line the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Central Harbourfront for the flagship Victoria Harbour pyromusical fireworks show, alongside vibrant nightlife parties in Lan Kwai Fong. On January 1, locals often take advantage of the official day off for family dining, shopping, and hiking local trails such as Victoria Peak and Dragon’s Back

Celebrated during January’s full moon, Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day is a nationwide public, bank, and mercantile holiday. It commemorates Gautama Buddha’s historical first visit to Sri Lanka. Devotees dress in white to attend temples, perform acts of worship, and observe Sil. The main highlight is the grand Duruthu Perahera procession at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara near Colombo, featuring traditional dancers, drummers, fire performers, and dressed elephants. Government offices and financial institutions close, while the sale of alcohol and meat is strictly prohibited across the island.

Celebrated in mid-January, Thai Pongal is a major Hindu harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. It is an official public, bank, and mercantile holiday observed across Sri Lanka. At sunrise, families boil fresh rice with milk and jaggery in decorated clay pots, shouting “Pongalo Pongal!” as it boils over to symbolise prosperity. Entranceways are decorated with colourful kolam patterns, and devotees visit Kovils (temples) to offer prayers and thanks for a bountiful harvest. Government offices, schools, and financial institutions close nationwide.