Best festivals in Asia
Best festivals in Asia
Ancient spiritual gatherings and seasonal street parades across Asia
Few regions match Asia for the sheer scale and variety of festivals: religious, agricultural and seasonal traditions span the continent across multiple major faiths, often celebrated on a scale that's difficult to find anywhere else in the world.
The festivals on this list range from massive national celebrations that shut down entire cities to smaller regional events tied to a specific place and season. Some are celebrated across multiple countries with distinct regional variations.
Lunar calendars govern the timing of many of Asia's biggest festivals, meaning dates shift from year to year and need checking before booking travel around them. Local travel agents tend to have more accurate information on shifting dates than international platforms. Arriving a day or two early also tends to allow time to settle in before the busiest part of the celebration begins.
Lists by region
State/Prefecture in China
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
Each spring on Cheung Chau island locals build tall bamboo towers covered in lucky buns. The festival honours the god Pak Tai. A parade carries children high on poles. Dragon boat races in late spring or early summer fill the water at Stanley and Sha Tin.
City in Thailand
Bangkok
The city of contrasts and chaos
Silom Road turns into a giant water fight each April during Songkran, the Thai New Year. Songkran also has a quiet side with water poured over elders' hands for blessings. In November people float small banana leaf boats with candles on the Chao Phraya River for Loy Krathong.
City in United Arab Emirates
Dubai
Glamour, Adventure and Desert Charm
Fireworks crackle above Global Village while food stalls fill the air with smoke and spice. Global Village runs from October to spring with pavilions for dozens of countries. The Dubai Shopping Festival usually runs from December into January with sales. Dubai Food Festival adds chef events and street food in late winter.
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
Asakusa, on the west bank of the Sumida River, hosts Sanja Matsuri each May. Sanja Matsuri sends about a hundred portable shrines through the streets with shouting crowds. The Sumida River Fireworks Festival fills the sky on the last Saturday of July. Koenji Awa Odori fills the streets with dancers each August.
City in South Korea
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
Thousands of glowing paper lanterns fill Jongno Street at night during the Lotus Lantern Festival. It marks Buddha's birthday in May with a night parade from Dongdaemun to Jogyesa Temple. Jogyesa Temple hangs rows of lanterns across its courtyard weeks before the parade. The Seoul Lantern Festival lights Cheonggyecheon stream each November.
City in Thailand
Chiang Mai
Ancient temples and mountain escapes
King Mangrai founded this city as the Lanna capital in 1296 and its people still keep Lanna festivals. Yi Peng each November fills the sky with paper lanterns set loose at night. Loy Krathong falls on the same days and lit boats drift down the Ping River.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Gion Matsuri floats are wooden towers up to 25 metres tall that roll through town each July. It began in 869 to calm a plague and is a UNESCO heritage event. Crews lash the floats together with rope and use no nails. The nights before, called yoiyama, fill closed streets with lanterns and food.
City in China
Harbin
Ice sculptures sparkle beneath winter’s glow
The Ice and Snow Festival opens around 5 January and runs until the ice melts. Workers cut huge blocks of ice from the frozen Songhua River. They build towers and palaces taller than houses and light them with coloured LEDs at night. January highs stay well below freezing so pack heavy layers.
City in India
Mathura
Sacred birthplace of divine love and devotion
Hindu tradition places Krishna's birth in this city and it marks the day each August or September at Janmashtami. Holi here runs for about a week with coloured powder, flower petals and temple songs. In nearby Barsana women chase men with sticks in Lathmar Holi. Vrindavan next door has a petal Holi in its temples.
City in India
Varanasi
India’s Timeless Spiritual Heartbeat
Dev Deepawali falls on the full moon about fifteen days after Diwali. Thousands of clay lamps light the stone steps called ghats along the Ganges. Every evening priests at Dashashwamedh Ghat wave fire lamps in the Ganga Aarti, a river ritual. Visitors watch from boats on the river or from the steps.
City in Malaysia
George Town – Penang
Street Art, Heritage and Food Heaven
On the northeast tip of Penang island this city packs many festivals into narrow streets. Thaipusam brings a silver chariot procession through the streets each January or February. Chinese New Year hangs red lanterns across the old town. The George Town Festival adds art and music across the old town each summer.
City in Nepal
Kathmandu
Temples, chaos and Himalayan magic
Dashain lasts fifteen days and is the longest national festival in Nepal. Families receive a red tika mark and blessings from elders on the tenth day. Indra Jatra in September pulls the living goddess Kumari through Durbar Square in a chariot. Kites fill the sky above rooftops during Dashain.
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