What's on in Luang Prabang, Laos through the year

Busy — school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Rule

  Dawn alms round etiquette

  1 Jan – 31 Dec

  The tak bat happens every morning at first light and is an act of religious practice, not a display. Stand well back and off the road, or skip it entirely. Source ↗

Still on: Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Hazard

  Burning season haze

  1 Mar – 30 Apr · usuallySmoke season

  Agricultural burning across northern Laos and the region fills the valley with smoke for weeks; the hills disappear and flights are occasionally diverted. Source ↗

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Pi Mai, Lao New Year, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Pi Mai, Lao New Year

  13–17 AprWater-festival New YearCrowdedClosures

  Three days of water, processions and sand stupas on the riverbank in the hottest week of the year. The town is full and much of it stops working. Source ↗

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Burning season haze (1 Mar – 30 Apr (usually)), Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  Southwest monsoon

  15 May – 15 Oct · usually

  Rain in heavy afternoon bursts rather than all day, a brown and high Mekong, green hills, and the lowest room rates of the year.

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Southwest monsoon (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Festival

  Khao Phansa, start of Lent

  1–31 Jul · usuallyMajor festival

  The three-month rains retreat begins on the July full moon; candles and offerings go to the temples and the monks stay put until October. Source ↗

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Southwest monsoon (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Southwest monsoon (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Southwest monsoon (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Festival

  Boat racing on the Nam Khan

  5–25 Oct · usuallyMajor festival

  Village crews race twenty-metre longboats on the river at the end of the rains retreat, around Awk Phansa, watched from the banks by the whole town. Source ↗

• Festival

  Awk Phansa and Lai Heua Fai

  26 OctMajor festival

  The end of the rains retreat, and the night Luang Prabang floats lit boats down the Mekong: the biggest thing in the local year after new year. Source ↗

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Southwest monsoon (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Season

  Dry season

  1 Nov – 15 Apr · usually

  Cool mornings, clear afternoons and a low Mekong: the half of the year the boats, the waterfalls and the hill roads all work.

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Dawn alms round etiquette (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))