New Year’s Day
1 January 2026
Nationwide public holidayOfficial calendar 2026
Laos public holidays & local festivals
A practical list of official public holidays and well-known local celebrations, with dates, locations and confirmation status.
Official public holidays
Nationwide public holidays in 2026
Official
International Women’s Day
8 March 2026
Substitute holiday: Monday, 9 MarchLao New Year (Pi Mai Lao)
14 April 2026 – 16 April 2026
Three-day nationwide public holidayInternational Workers’ Day
1 May 2026
Nationwide public holidayLao Women’s Union Day
20 July 2026
Nationwide public holidayLao National Day
2 December 2026
Nationwide public holidayBy month and locality
Notable local festivals
22 festivals shown
January
Hmong New Year
Check before travelJanuary · exact date to be confirmed
Vientiane Province
Phabath Phonsan Festival
Check before travelJanuary · exact date to be confirmed
Bolikhamxay
February
Kapok Flower Festival
Check before travelFebruary · exact date to be confirmed
Bokeo
That Sikhottabong Festival
Check before travelFebruary · exact date to be confirmed
Khammouane
Wat Phou Festival
Check before travelFebruary · follows the lunar calendar
Champasak
Elephant Festival
Check before travelFebruary · exact date to be confirmed
Xayaboury
April
Pi Mai Lao
Dated14–16 April 2026
Nationwide · especially Luang Prabang and Vientiane
May
Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)
Check before travel2–31 May 2026 · each community sets its day
Several localities · especially Vientiane Province
Boun Visakhaboucha
Check before travelMay · lunar-calendar date
Temples nationwide
July
Asalahaboucha & Boun Khao Phansa
Dated29 July 2026
Temples nationwide
September
Boun Khao Padabdin
Dated11 September 2026
Nationwide
Luang Prabang Boat Racing Festival
Dated11 September 2026
Luang Prabang
Boun Khao Salak
Dated26 September 2026
Temples nationwide
October
Boun Ork Phansa
Dated26 October 2026
Nationwide
Naga Fireball Festival
Dated26 October 2026
Bolikhamxay
Lai Heua Fai (Festival of Light Boats)
Dated26–27 October 2026
Luang Prabang
November
That Luang Festival and Trade Fair
Dated24 November 2026
Vientiane Capital
Buddhist Scriptures (Hor Thri Pidok) Festival
Check before travel2026 · date to be announced
Salavanh
Khao Kai Noy Festival
Check before travel2026 · date to be announced
Xieng Khouang
That Luang Jieng Teuang Festival
Check before travel2026 · date to be announced
Luang Namtha
December
That Inghang Festival
Check before travel2026 · date to be announced
Savannakhet
Sakura and Dok Khai Pa Festival
Check before travelDecember 2026–January 2027
Houaphanh