These are the things you can’t miss about Pimai Lao Festival, the traditional New Year of Laos

Immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of music and laughter as you celebrate Pimai Lao, the traditional Lao New Year, at Victoria Xiengthong Palace in Luang Prabang this April! 

Victoria Xiengthong Palace is the perfect place for those who are looking for spiritual wealth and enriching their lives through unique experiences, especially during Pimai Lao 2024.

Pimai Lao, or Lao New Year, includes many activities. Travelers can witness the majestic elephant parades and marvel at the intricate sand towers built along the riverbank. They can also join the festive spirit as the Pimai Lao beauty queen leads the procession from Wat That Noy to Wat Xieng Thong.

The most important days of the festival take place from April 13 to 17. Victoria Xiengthong Palace can be your guide to experiencing this unforgettable celebration in the ancient capital of Luang Prabang. Learn more about the detailed schedule of Lao New Year 2024 and plan your adventure!

10 April 2024

18:00 Opening Market Fair and Exhibition

19:30 Miss New Year Pageant

11 April 2024

19:30 Miss New Year Pageant

12 April 2024

07:00-07:30 Elephant procession from Wat Mai to Wat Xieng Thong

13 April 2024 

6:00 Traditional Market Fair will take place between the museum and That Luang Field

9:00 Various temples will bring out their Buddha images for local people to wash with lustral water

13:00 Building sand stupas on Xaymoungkhoun Island in the Mekong

14 April 2024

8:00 Government officials preside over traditional ceremonies of the Leu ethnic group in Phanom Village

13:00-14:00 Grand procession of Miss New Year from Wat That Noy to Wat Xieng Thong

19:00 Sprinkling lustral water over Buddha images at various temples around the city

Guests enjoy every moment during their stay at Victoria Xiengthong Palace, Luang Prabang.

15 April 2024

Enjoy playing festivals Sprinkling lustral water over Buddha images at various temples around the city

16 April 2024 (First day of New Year)

6:00 Almsgiving ceremony in front of Wat Sene, the main street, and then climbing Phousi Hill to make merit

13:00 Grand procession of Miss New Year from Wat Xieng Thong to Wat That Noy

19:00 Naga and lantern parades descend from Phousi Mountain to the pond inside the National Museum, along with traditional Phalak Phalam dancing

The Alms Giving Ceremony is a significant cultural and religious ritual every morning in Luang Prabang, Laos.

17 April 2024

07:00 The Prabang is paraded out of Hor Prabang to Wat Mai

13:00 Provincial leaders and the seven Miss New Year winners visit Ting Caves and water the Buddha in the cave

18:00 Worshippers sprinkle lustral water on the Prabang Buddha image at Wat Mai and watch Ramayana dancing. The Ramayana dance is a visualization and representation of the epic Ramayana saga, originally written by Valmiki in the Sanskrit language, in a highly stylized dance art form. Ramayana dance performance combines music, dance, and drama, usually performed without dialogue.

18–19 April 2024

Worshippers sprinkle lustral water on the Prabang Buddha image at Wat Mai and enjoy Ramayana dancing

20 April 2024 

The Prabang is paraded back to Hor Prabang from Wat Mai