Asians will make any excuse to hold a local festival; in fact, Thailand boasts one of the highest numbers of public holidays in the world.
If you wish to combine a golf vacation with local events, we have highlighted some more exciting events and festivals in SE Asia over the next few months.
October.
Each year at the beginning of October, the Chonburi Buffalo Races in Thailand are a series of highly competitive sprints held in front of the town’s Municipal Office.
P’chum Ben takes place on the 15th day of the tenth month in the Cambodian calendar. It is the time of the year when Khmer people believe that the spirits of dead ancestors rise and walk the earth.
November
is one of the most magical and much-anticipated months on the Thailand event calendar, with the annual Loi Krathong celebrations (November 15th), and the Pattaya Music and International Fireworks Festival.(November 29th-30th).
December
has Thailand’s version of Glastonbury, called Wonderfruit Festival held near Siam Country Club in Pattaya. (December 12th – 16th)
January 1st
is celebrated as New Year with massive firework displays in all major Asian cities. In Thailand it is worth taking a river cruise in Bangkok. Also, on January 29th, the whole country will celebrate the Chinese New Year. With its significant Chinese heritage, Phuket transforms into an epicenter of festivity with the streets coming alive with the sounds of traditional Chinese music and lion dances.
Tết, or the Vietnamese New Year, means “the Feast of the first Morning of the first day,” and across the country, there are celebrations. Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival 2025 (January 17th to January 19th, 2025) is due to take place in Chiang Mai. This festival is all about art, and umbrellas made by the local craftspeople will blow your mind away with their sheer creativity.
February.
The Amazing Muaythai World Festival 2025 (February 2nd -5th), with over 600 competitors from across the world, is held at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. The Chiang Mai Flower Festival (February 1st—3rd) has been running for over 43 years and celebrates the beautiful flowers in bloom during this time.
March.
Nyepi in Indonesia. At this unique festival in Bali, you won’t hear any music, cheers, or laughter from people. Nyepi, which takes place every year on March 9th, is Bali’s annual Day of Silence. The festival is unique to Bali’s Hindu culture and commemorates the ‘Isakawarsa’ New Year.
Editor’s note: It is best to double-check that the dates and events described are going ahead as planned, as they can change.
