Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Festivals in Asia

Discover amazing world festivals, events and exhibitions
 

Taiwan International Balloon Festival 2023

Taitung Taitung, Taiwan

Not quite yet reaching the 99 Luftballons of Nena’s 1980s hit, some 40 participating balloons will be taking off during the Taiwan International Balloon Festival in Taitung...

Harbin Ice Festival China Extravaganza

Harbin Harbin, China

Once mostly a regional affair, the Harbin Ice Festival, China - or the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival as it is officially known - has grown into...

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival Japan

Otaru Unga Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan

The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is a winter festival held every February in Otaru on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. Otaru Snow Light Path Festival Initiated in 1999,

Tsagaan Sar 2024 in Mongolia

Various

Tsagaan Sar or Mongolia’s lunar new year is the most important festival for ethnic Mongols and the people of the Arctic where age-old rituals combine with eating local delicacies such

Free

Chinese New Year 2024, Global

Various

Chinese New Year is undoubtedly China’s pre-eminent and most intense festive period characterised by sumptuous family meals, the colour red, paper lanterns and lots...

Free

Vibrant Hong Kong Arts Festival 2024

Different venues in Hong Kong , Hong Kong

International top artists giving world class performances ranging from the classical to the avant-garde, and the familiar to the surprising – the Hong Kong Arts Festival is this vibrant city’s

Interested in Festivals in Asia?

As the largest and most populous continent in the world occupying almost a third of our planet’s earth area, it’s no wonder that festivals in Asia cover virtually anything you can imagine, from religion and folklore to food and music via the quirky and the downright bizarre. There’s probably no better way to get under the skin of a particular Asian country or destination than by attending a local festival.

Importance of festivals in Asia

On such an incredibly diverse continent where so many different religions, ethnicities and cultures have to co-exist peacefully, festivals in Asia are the glue that binds human relationships and keep people connected to their roots and values while opening up minds to other worldviews.

Types of festivals in Asia

Plenty of festivals in Asia have religious or mythical origins, from the many Hindu festivals such as Diwali India and Thaipusam in Malaysia, or popular Buddhist festivals such as Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in Thailand, to Muslim Eid al-Fitr in all Muslim-populated countries, and animist-inspired festivals of indigenous peoples like the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, India. But also the more worldly festivals are becoming increasingly popular in Asia, whether they are art and literary events such as the Rainforest Fringe Festival in Borneo and the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali, or music and food happenings like Singapore’s Ultra Music Festival and the Cheung Chau Bun Festival in Hong Kong. But often a country’s most important event is their culture’s New Year, from Nowruz in many Central Asian countries and Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia, to Chinese New Year amongst all ethnic Chinese across Asia and the fun-filled water battles of Songkran in Thailand.  Others are simply nature’s gift such as the Cherry Blossom Season Japan, or honour fertility like Kanamara Matsuri or Japan Penis Festival. And for some serious winter fun go to China for the Harbin Ice Festival or Mongolia for its Khövsgöl Ice Festival.
Dates of festivals in Asia
Plenty of Asia’s festivals don’t have a fixed date and hence are celebrated at slightly different times each year. That’s because they are often based on lunar calendars like is the case with the Sky Lantern Festival Taiwan, or follow agricultural practices related to planting and harvest seasons such as the outrageous Bun Bang Fai or Rocket Festival Thailand. So don’t forget to do a little bit of research if you plan to incorporate a festival into your Asian travel plans.