Explore the Beauty of Light Festivals Across Asia
As the festive season draws near, lights dazzle across many Asian cities, illuminating streets, temples, and rivers in celebrations that transcend cultures and traditions. While Deepawali (Diwali) is perhaps the most famous festival of lights, especially in Singapore and Malaysia, many other destinations across Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and South Korea come alive with mesmerizing lighting festivals. These events offer travelers a perfect opportunity to witness the magic of cultural diversity through radiant displays of light and color. Let’s journey through some of the most captivating lighting festivals across the region.
Deepawali (Singapore and Malaysia)
Deepawali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant celebration for the Hindu communities in Singapore and Malaysia. As you stroll through Little India in Singapore, the entire neighborhood comes alive with colorful lights, intricate rangoli designs, and vibrant street decorations. Traditional Hindu temples are adorned with lamps, and locals celebrate with family feasts, fireworks, and temple visits. Travelers can enjoy the festive bazaars, delicious sweets, and cultural performances, making this a joyous time to visit Singapore.
In Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Deepawali is celebrated with similar grandeur. Indian communities open their homes to friends and family, exchanging sweets and lighting oil lamps to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. Visitors can explore temples decorated with lights, witness cultural performances, and partake in the vibrant festivities.
But beyond Deepawali, many other Asian lighting festivals showcase the beauty of tradition, spirituality, and communal harmony. Let’s explore some of them.
Images via PicZania / Shutterstock (left) and Roninjin / Shutterstock (right).
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng (Thailand)
One of Thailand’s most enchanting festivals, Loy Krathong, is held in November. Thousands of floating lanterns, or krathongs, are released into rivers and lakes to honour the water spirits and seek forgiveness for pollution. The sight of these delicate lanterns drifting along the water, carrying candles and flowers, creates a serene and mesmerizing spectacle.
In Chiang Mai, this festival coincides with Yi Peng, where the night sky is filled with thousands of paper lanterns floating upwards. The act of releasing a lantern is said to symbolize the release of one’s negative energy and hopes for a brighter future. The sight of the glowing sky is unforgettable and a must-see for anyone traveling in Thailand during this period.
Images via Elizaveta Galitckaia / Shutterstock (left) and Patrick Foto / Shutterstock (right).
Thadingyut Festival (Myanmar)
The Thadingyut Festival of Lights in Myanmar is celebrated in October or November to mark the end of Buddhist Lent. During this time, homes, streets, and pagodas are adorned with candles and vibrant lights, symbolizing the lighting of the path for Buddha’s return from heaven. Locals also pay their respects to elders and monks, and cities come alive with light displays, music, and festive activities.
This is an ideal time for visitors to experience Myanmar’s spiritual essence, as the entire country radiates with the warm glow of candles, creating a peaceful and reflective atmosphere.
Images via Paul88 / Shutterstock.
Boun Lai Heua Fai (Laos)
In Laos, the Boun Lai Heua Fai festival, celebrated in October or November, is a traditional lighting festival where illuminated boats and floating lanterns are released into the Mekong River. The festival takes place in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, and it is a celebration of the end of Buddhist Lent, focusing on honoring the river spirits.
The colorful illuminated boats and candles floating down the river, fireworks, and traditional music make this a breathtaking event for visitors seeking both beauty and spirituality.
Images via Alick's / Shutterstock (left) and Saylakham / Shutterstock (right).
Borobudur Vesak Lantern Festival (Indonesia)
At the majestic Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Indonesia, the Vesak Day Lantern Festival is celebrated by Buddhists to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, symbolising the release of worldly desires and the pursuit of enlightenment.
The backdrop of Borobudur, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world, adds an ethereal quality to this festival. It’s a profoundly spiritual event, and visitors can join locals in lighting and releasing lanterns into the night sky, experiencing a profound sense of peace and reflection.
Images via Ardiyanto_Nugroho / Shutterstock (left) and Reezky Pradata / Shutterstock (right).
Hoi An Lantern Festival (Vietnam)
The Hoi An Lantern Festival occurs every month on the full moon, but the most significant celebrations occur during special holidays, such as the Lunar New Year (Tet). On these nights, the old town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, transforms into a magical spectacle as thousands of colorful lanterns light up the streets and riverside. The event is held to honour ancestors and to celebrate the peaceful and serene ambience that the full moon brings.
Local families turn off all electric lights and hang vibrant lanterns in front of their homes and shops. At the same time, tourists and locals release floating paper lanterns onto the Thu Bon River, making wishes for peace, prosperity, and happiness. The sight of hundreds of glowing lanterns floating on the river and hanging from the trees and buildings creates an enchanting atmosphere, and the town feels frozen in time.
Images via Santiago Duarte / Shutterstock (left) and noina / Shutterstock (right).
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (Taiwan)
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, held during the Lunar New Year in Taiwan, is one of the world’s most famous lighting events. In the small town of Pingxi, thousands of paper lanterns are released into the sky, each carrying written wishes for the new year. Glowing softly as they ascend, the lanterns create a magical and awe-inspiring sight.
The festival’s history dates back centuries, when lanterns were used as safety signals. Today, it’s a celebration of hope, with travellers from around the world joining locals in releasing their own lanterns, making it a beautiful moment of unity and tradition.
Images via David Carillet / Shutterstock (left) and Mei Yi / Shutterstock (right).
Seoul Lantern Festival (South Korea)
For a more modern take on light festivals, the Seoul Lantern Festival is held every November along the Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul. The festival features hundreds of lanterns depicting traditional Korean themes, futuristic designs, and global symbols of peace.
The lanterns illuminate the stream, providing a stunning contrast to the bustling city's urban landscape. Visitors can stroll along the illuminated pathways, enjoying the blend of culture, art, and modernity of this vibrant festival.
Images via Jesicadounce / Shutterstock (left) and Aperture1021 / Shutterstock (right).
From the spiritual glow of Deepawali to the breathtaking beauty of lantern-filled skies in Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea, light festivals across Asia offer a magical blend of tradition, hope, and communal joy. These festivals are a feast for the senses and a perfect way for travelers to immerse themselves in each destination's cultural and spiritual heritage.
At Tour East, we invite you to explore these mesmerizing festivals, where light is more than just illumination—it’s a symbol of renewal, peace, and celebration. Check out our services and let us guide you through these unforgettable experiences across Asia.
Cover images via StockImageFactory.com / Shutterstock.