From centuries-old cultural traditions to world-renowned international events, discover the diverse celebrations taking place across Asia throughout April.
Ching Ming (5 Apr, Hong Kong) is a day when Chinese people in Hong Kong sweep the resting places of their ancestors. It is an important ancestor worship ritual that requires families to weed graves, touch up headstone inscriptions, and make offerings of food and light incense.
Pagerwesi (8 Apr, Indonesia) celebrates Sang Yang (the creator of the universe) with grand ceremonies island-wide. Pagerwesi is celebrated every 210 days based on the Balinese lunar calendar and can be interpreted as ‘iron fence’. It is a day when man should fortify the space around himself to fend off evil spirits – the continuous battle between good and evil.
The Hong Kong International Film Festival (9-20 Apr, Hong Kong) is one of Asia’s most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers to launch new works and view fresh features. On average, the festival screens over 250 titles from more than 50 countries in major cultural venues across town.
Thailand’s most famous water festival Songkran Festival or Thai New Year Festival (13-15 Apr, Thailand) fills the streets with water fights, music, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Choul Chnam Thmey Khmer (14-16 Apr, Cambodia) is Cambodia’s New Year festival. This is a time when many Khmers will travel back to their villages and visit the pagoda as well as play traditional games and perform dances to celebrate.
Pimai Lao/Lao New Year (14-16 Apr, Laos) begins at the same time each year and lasts for three days. The festival is held before the onset of the rainy season to recognise the importance of water in people’s lives.
Spring Festival (14-15 Apr, Japan) is the annual festival of the Hie Shrine in the southern half of Takayama’s old town. The Takayama Festival is ranked as one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals, held twice a year in spring and autumn in Takayama’s old town, and attracts large numbers of spectators.
The Hong Kong Sevens (17-19 Apr, Hong Kong) sees teams from the world’s top rugby nations compete in lightning-fast 15-minute matches in front of 40,000 spectators. And the action at Hong Kong Stadium is merely the epicentre of what morphs into a three-day carnival infecting the whole city.
Tay Phuong Pagoda is famous for its 18 wooden statues of Buddha, located approximately 20 kilometres from Hanoi. Each year, a Tay Phuong Pagoda festival (17 Apr – 26 Apr, Vietnam) is held at the pagoda where villagers offer food and burn incense to pray to the Buddha.
The Phu Giay Festival (17 Apr – 27 Apr, Vietnam) takes place about 55 miles east of Hanoi. Visitors join the festival during the traditional lull in work during the third lunar month. Traditional diversions like cock-fighting, “keo chu,” and folk singing are held all throughout the festival.
Food & Hotel Asia Expo (21-24 Apr, Singapore), held at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, is the largest gathering of leading F&B manufacturers and emerging brands, bringing the industry together to exchange ideas and showcase the latest innovations.
During the Perfume Pagoda Festival (22 Feb – 16 May, Vietnam) thousands of pilgrims make the journey to the Perfume (Hương) Pagoda – Vietnam’s most revered Buddhist pilgrimage site. Travellers can visit Perfume Pagoda at any time of year, but the festival is a unique spectacle to witness.
Halong Tourism Week (Date TBA, Vietnam) is the most spectacular celebration in Halong, captivating a large number of local and international tourists. This yearly event creates a dazzling and colourful atmosphere, with traditional cultural events, fireworks and wonderful costumes on parade.
Yen Tu Festival (26 Feb – 27 Apr, Vietnam) takes place at Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. This event begins on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of the third lunar month. Following the Lunar New Year celebrations, thousands of visitors flock to Yen Tu to pray for good fortune and health for their families, making it a significant spiritual pilgrimage in Vietnam.
Our destination specialists across Asia are on hand to share local knowledge, travel expertise and practical support.
