One of the spectacular floats in the Lighted Boat Festival parade. (File photo)

Luang Prabang gears up for Lighted Boat Festival

Excitement is mounting in Luang Prabang as the annual Lighted Boat Festival approaches, with the event to include a contest scheduled for October 27, as part of celebrations marking the end of Buddhist Lent.
The festival is celebrated in towns across Laos at the end of Buddhist Lent, with communities decorating temples and other public places with candles and lanterns and taking part in traditional activities.
Luang Prabang puts on the most spectacular display, with houses, temples and businesses decorated with colourful lighting. The province also holds a lighted boat competition as part of the celebrations.
Local residients are now eagerly awaiting the lighted boat competition, when a stunning array of carefully assembled and decorated craft will be judged on the evening of October 27.
People are also busy adorning houses and business premises with Luang Prabang-style lanterns, which will be lit from October 19-27.
The festival aims to preserve the distinctive cultural traditions of Luang Prabang and to honour Buddha. The candles and lights used during the celebrations symbolise wishes for blessings and prosperity.
After the lighted boat competition, the boats will be set afloat on the Mekong River, with residents joining a procession to bring them to the water’s edge.
On the same evening, everyone will make small ornamental boats from banana leaves and decorate them with flowers, candles and other offerings before setting them adrift on the Mekong.This is done to carry away any bad fortune that may have clouded the previous year and is one of the many traditions marking the end of Buddhist Lent.
The carefully crafted lighted boats entered in the competition typically  resemble nagas and swans, and reflect the artistry that Luang Prabang has been known for over many generations. The boats represent local communities, schools and businesses and are paraded through the town on the way to the river.
The festival is arguably the most enjoyable of all the colourful events staged in Luang Prabang throughout the year and exudes both serenity and beauty, setting the streets aglow and reinforcing the town’s strong community spirit.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 1, 2026)