From centuries-old cultural traditions to world-renowned international events, discover the diverse celebrations taking place across Asia throughout October.
Buon Ok Pansa is the ‘End of Buddhist Lent Festival’, marking the end of the monks’ three-month fast and retreat for the rainy season. Donations and offerings are made at various temples and hundreds of ornately decorated candle-lit floats made from paper are set adrift.
The Nagasaki Kunchi Festival (7-9 Oct, Japan) is a vibrant celebration blending traditional dance, music, and elaborate performances. It features a captivating dragon dance dating back centuries, in which skilled performers manipulate a long dragon body on upright poles. The festival is also recognised as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property due to its significant cultural value.
Boun Lai Heua Fai is a festival that honours the nagas (water spirits) and asks for good fortune. Each village creates and decorates a boat, which is paraded through town before being launched onto the river and ceremonially set on fire as an offering to the spirits.
The Japanese Grand Prix is held in Suzuka. Attendees can book grandstand seats or go all out with VIP hospitality and additional benefits such as an exclusive pit lane walk to see the action up close.
The Takayama Autumn Festival (9-10 Oct), also known as the Hachiman Festival, is held annually at Hachiman Shrine in the old town. Considered one of Japan’s top three most beautiful festivals, it features traditional floats, cultural performances, and showcases the autumn beauty of the Takayama area.
Bang Fai Phaya Nak (9-10 Oct, Thailand), also known as the Naga Fireballs Festival in Nong Khai, is a mystical event where glowing fireballs rise from the Mekong River around the full moon in October. The unexplained phenomenon draws crowds, creating a festival atmosphere, with Thai folklore attributing the fireballs to nagas signifying the end of Buddhist Lent.
The Lombok MotoGP (9-11 Oct, Indonesia) is a thrilling motorcycle racing event that attracts top riders and passionate fans. The circuit forms part of the Asian triple-header, spanning India, Lombok, and Japan, and features high-speed races filled with excitement and adrenaline.
The Singapore F1 Grand Prix (9-11 Oct, Singapore) forms part of the Formula One World Championship and has become known as one of the competition’s most high-octane street races. Held on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, it was the world’s first Formula One night race and Asia’s first street circuit designed specifically for the championship.
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival (10-18 Oct, Thailand) consists of sacred rituals that are believed to bestow good fortune upon those who observe these rites. During this time, local people of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Rituals and displays such as walking barefoot over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as “Ma Song”.
The Ubud Readers & Writers Festival (20-25 Oct, Indonesia) takes place in Bali’s artistic and cultural heartland. Leading writers, artists, performers, and musicians gather from across the globe to share their knowledge and creative talents over a period of five days.
Jidai Matsuri (22 Oct, Japan) celebrates the anniversary of the founding of Kyoto. A historic procession travels through the city, featuring around 2,000 people dressed in attire representing various eras of Kyoto’s history.
The MotoGP Malaysia (23–25 Oct, Malaysia) brings world-class motorcycle racing and an electric atmosphere to one of the region’s biggest annual sporting events. The race attracts motorsport fans from across Asia and beyond for a weekend of high-speed action and entertainment.
The Vietnam Jungle Marathon (24-25 Oct, Vietnam), held at Pu Luong Nature Reserve 140km south of Hanoi, is an exhilarating trail race through ancient jungles, limestone peaks, waterfalls, and vibrant rice paddy fields, showcasing the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness.
Le Tour de Langkawi (25-31 Oct, Malaysia) is a multi-stage bicycle race held in Malaysia. It is named after the Langkawi archipelago, where the first edition started and finished. The race attracts professional cyclists from around the world and showcases Malaysia’s diverse landscapes, from coastal roads and city routes to the scenic mountain climbs of the country’s interior.
Our destination specialists across Asia are on hand to share local knowledge, travel expertise and practical support.
