During the Daimyo Procession (2 Nov, Japan) a procession of 200 locals dressed as samurai warriors and princesses parade over a distance of some 6 km through a spring town in historical Hakone.
Pagerwesi (4 Nov, 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.
Bun Pha That Luang (5 Nov, Laos) is the largest temple fair to take place in Laos, featuring shows and carnival-type games. Temples are illuminated at night and the festival culminates on the morning of the full moon when several thousand monks receive alms at the 'dak baht' ceremony.
Deepavali (8 Nov, Singapore & Malaysia) is a Hindu celebration of the triumph of light over darkness. Bright colours, tantalising aromas, and the light of a thousand oil lamps fill the streets of Little India during Deepavali.
Ooc-Om-Bok (Boat Race) Festival (22-23 Nov, Vietnam), the festival is held in honor of the moon deity and people pray for good luck, happiness and good weather. A traditional festival of the Khmer people living in the Mekong River Delta region, people release paper lanterns into the sky or into the rivers as a way of letting go of bad luck or sadness.
Bon Om Teuk (23-25 Nov, Cambodia) is an event planned around the lunar calendar, signifying the end of the wet season. The focus is on long boat races where teams of paddlers from different villages compete against each other. There are large events in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and smaller events in every regional capital city.
Yi Peng Festival (24-25 Nov, Thailand) is a traditional Lanna-style event with a flying lantern contest creating a spectacular sight to behold. The festival of lights in Northern Thailand is similar to Loy Krathong, except lights are placed into sky lanterns which float up into the air rather than floating on water.
Loy Krathong (25 Nov, Thailand) is a traditional family festival with stunning lamp parades, firework displays, performances, and busy markets. The festival represents a new start and the release of any anger or grudges by making buoyant decorations which are then floated on water.
The Lopburi Monkey Banquet (29 Nov, Thailand) is an extraordinary annual event held in the ancient city of Lopburi and takes place at the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. A banquet is prepared by the locals to honour long-tailed macaque monkeys who are considered sacred and believed to bring good luck. The festival celebrates the bond between the local people of Lopburi and the monkeys.
The Vijit Chao Phraya River Bangkok (Date TBA, Thailand) is a celebration of light, sound, and creativity festival along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya The event featured daily light shows, projection mapping, and cultural performances on seven landmarks, with special fireworks displays on certain dates. It was free to view from numerous locations along the river between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
The River Kwai Bridge Week Festival (Date TBA, Thailand) in Kanchanaburi is a vibrant annual event commemorating World War II history. With cultural performances, light shows, and memorial service, the festival honours the legacy of the infamous bridge, offering a unique blend of remembrance, entertainment, and community spirit along the picturesque River Kwai.
The Grand Sumo Tournament (8-22 Nov, Japan) held at the Fukuoka Kokusai Centre, is a riveting display of traditional Japanese sport. This event is the final of Japan's six Sumo Tournaments where sumo wrestlers, clad in ceremonial attire, engage in fierce competitions, showcasing strength and skill.
The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon (29 Nov, Hong Kong) is a mix of amateur and professional cycling races and rides, through Hong Kong's unique cityscape. The event allows participants to challenge themselves or enjoy the city’s scenery at a leisurely pace, while locals and visitors alike cheer on from the sidelines and enjoy a fun-filled carnival.
The Loy Krathong Light and Sound Show (Date TBA, Thailand) is set amidst the ancient ruins of Sukhothai Historical Park. The event features vibrant light displays, cultural performances, and a magical ambiance. Attendees experience the enchanting traditions of Loy Krathong and a light and sound show that transports spectators through the rich history of Sukhothai.
