Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

ประเพณีแห่เทียนพรรษา

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Religious & SpiritualUbon Ratchathani
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageWhile many Thai villages mark the start of
LanguageThaiCurrency: THB
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival is Thailand's most elaborate candle procession, held around Asanha Bucha day and Wan Khao Phansa, the start of the Buddhist Lent, usually in July. Enormous carved wax candles representing local temples are paraded through the city on floats, accompanied by dancers and musicians.

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival grew from a universal Thai Buddhist custom into the country's most elaborate expression of it.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

While many Thai villages mark the start of Buddhist Lent with modest candle offerings to temples, Ubon Ratchathani has turned the custom into the country's largest and most technically elaborate version

02

The mystery stays covered

Each candle, representing a specific temple, district or institution, is carved over the preceding days into scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology sculpted in wood or plaster and coated in wax, then paraded on floats through the city center accompanied by costumed dancers and musicians representing their sponsoring institution

03

The city starts moving

Unlike Loy Krathong's floating lights, these candles are ceremonial and are never burned, functioning purely as sculptural devotional offerings

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival marks Wan Khao Phansa

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the start of Vassa

The sacred route

Living ritual

the three-month Buddhist Lent retreat when monks remain in one temple

The local code

Living ritual

a period traditionally marked by donating candles and other necessities to dispel darkness in monks' quarters during the rainy season

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Ubon Ratchathani's version has elevated this simple offering into large-scale sculptural craftsmanship carried out by teams representing each participating temple or institution

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, plan transport around the exact Ubon Ratchathani venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light, modest clothing appropriate for daytime outdoor crowds in Isan's hot season; a hat and sunglasses help during the daytime procession, with a light layer for cooler evening viewing.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

For Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, stay near the part of Ubon Ratchathani you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

THB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map15.24 N, 104.85 EOpen in Google Maps

Ubon Ratchathani, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Nearest airportPKZ — Pakse
TransportFor Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, plan transport around the exact Ubon Ratchathani venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, stay near the part of Ubon Ratchathani you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ubon Ratchathani via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ubon Ratchathani, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearLight, modest clothing appropriate for daytime outdoor crowds in Isan's hot season; a hat and sunglasses help during the daytime procession, with a light layer for cooler evening viewing.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Thailand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival?

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival is listed for July. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ubon Ratchathani, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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