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January
- International New Years Day, 1st - 3rd : 3 days public holiday.
- Bun Khun Khao : Annual harvest festival.
February
- Makha Busa (Full Moon) : Temple festival including processions by
candlelight.
March
- Bun Pha Wet : Temple festival which includes large numbers of
ordinations into monkhood.
April
- Bun Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) - Expect to get drenched in the
middle of April, but watch the locals not the skies. The Songkan
(water festival) is an integral part of Lao new year celebrations
which spread out over a full week in Luang Prabang and also include
numerous parades, gatherings and rituals.
May
- International Labour Day, 1st : Public Holiday.
- Visakha Busa : Temple festival marking the date of the Buddha's
birth, enlightenment and death (all 3 events having happened on the
same day of the year). Expect chanting and night time
processions.
- Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) - Music, dance, theatre and
widespread mayhem characterise this ancient festival at the start of
the rainy season. Home made bamboo rockets are launched in an
effort to prompt the rains to fall.
June
July
- Bun Khao Phansa - Temple festival marking the start of the
rains retreat. Includes large numbers of temporary ordinations
into monastaries.
August / September
- Haw Khao Padap Din (Full Moon) - Festival in which respect is paid
to the dead.
October / November
- Bun Awk Phansa (Full Moon) - End of the rains retreat. Home
made boats, made out of leaves and carrying candles, incense and other
offerings are often floated on rivers.
- Bun Nam - Boat race festival.
December
- Lao National Day, 2nd - Public Holiday marking the formation of
the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
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