Traveling to a country feels incomplete if we don’t explore the vibrant festivals that shape its culture. Festivals are not only about celebration, but they are windows into traditions, beliefs, and community spirit. While this article won’t cover every festival in the region (of course), here are six fascinating events from Korea and some of ASEAN countries that you should definitely know about.
Haman Nakhwa Nori Festival (Korea)
If you’ve watched the drama Perfect Crown starring IU and Byeon Wooseok, you might recall a breathtaking scene in episode 1 where glowing sparks cascade over water. That spectacle is none other than Nakhwa Nori, a traditional Korean firework ritual dating back over 400 years.
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| Photo by MBC | Source (1) Perfect Crown |
Held in Mujeong, Haman County,
Gyeongsangnam-do, Nakhwa Nori involves hanging bamboo sticks filled with
charcoal powder on long ropes, then lighting them so sparks fall like fiery
rain. The festival is celebrated during Jeongwol Daeboreum (the first full moon
of the lunar year), Buddha’s Birthday, and the July full moon.
Designated as an Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Gyeongsangnam-do, Haman Nakhwa Nori is one of Korea’s most
iconic folk plays, alongside the Hahoe Seonyu Julbulnori in Andong and Anseong
Nakhwa Nori in Muju. It’s a dazzling blend of history, artistry, and
spirituality.
Reference (1) Nakhwa Nori Festival
Bon Om Touk Festival (Cambodia)
This festival are known as the
Cambodian Water and Moon Festival. Bon Om Touk takes place in late October or
early November, marking the end of the monsoon season and the reversal of the
Tonlé Sap River’s flow.
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| Illustration of Bon Om Touk Festival made with artificial intelligent (AI). |
The highlight is the dragon boat races along Phnom Penh’s Sisowath Quay, attracting millions of spectators. The three-day celebration also features fireworks, concerts, and communal gatherings. Bon Om Touk embodies Cambodia’s deep connection to water as a source of life and prosperity.
Reference (1) Bon Om Touk Festival
Thingyan Festival (Myanmar)
April in Myanmar brings Thingyan,
the New Year festival where water becomes a blessing.
Myanmar’s Thingyan Festival celebrated in mid-April, ushers in the New Year with joyous water-throwing rituals. Streets overflow with people armed with buckets and water guns, symbolically washing away sins and misfortune.
Beyond the fun, Thingyan is also a
time for religious merit-making, like visiting monasteries, offering alms, and
paying respect to elders. Its water rituals resonate with similar New Year
celebrations across Southeast Asia, including Songkran in Thailand, Pi Mai in
Laos, and Sangkranta in Cambodia.
Reference (1) Thingyan Festival
Songkran Festival (Thailand)
Thailand’s Songkran Festival, held
annually on April 13–15, is perhaps the most famous water festival in the
region. Recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage
in 2024, Songkran combines playful water fights with deep cultural traditions.
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| Illustration of Songkran Festival made with artificial intelligent (AI). |
Families visit temples, perform
cleansing rituals, and honor elders, while tourists flock to join the
nationwide water battles. Songkran’s spirit of renewal and purification echoes
across ASEAN, linking Thailand to its neighbors through shared cultural symbolism.
Reference (1) Songkran Festival
Eid al-Fitr (Brunei, Malaysia,
Indonesia)
In Muslim-majority countries such
as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, Eid al-Fitr is one of the most
important religious celebrations. It marks the end of Ramadan, a month of
fasting from dawn to dusk.
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| Illustration of Eid Al-Fitr made with artificial intelligent (AI). |
The day begins with communal
prayers, followed by family reunions, gift-giving, and festive meals. In
Indonesia, the tradition of mudik (homecoming) sees millions of people
traveling back to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones. Eid al-Fitr
reflects the values of gratitude, forgiveness, and togetherness across the
region.
Reference (1) Eid Al-Fitr
Dieng Culture Festival (Indonesia)
The Dieng Culture Festival (DCF) held
annually in the Dieng Plateau, Central Java, is a community-based cultural
event that blends tradition, art, and spirituality.
Highlights include cultural
parades, music performances, lantern releases, and the sacred ritual of ruwatan
rambut gimbal or the ceremonial cutting of children’s natural dreadlocks. This
ritual is deeply rooted in local beliefs, where the hair is considered a
spiritual gift and can only be cut when the child requests it, accompanied by
fulfilling their wishes.
The festival embodies harmony,
gratitude, and respect for ancestors, making it one of Indonesia’s most unique
cultural experiences.
Reference (1) Dieng Culture Festival (2) Ruwatan Rambut Gimbal
Indonesia’s Multi-Faith Traditions
As an Indonesian, I feel it is
important to introduce this part of our culture. Indonesia is a nation that
officially recognizes six religions, each guaranteed by the state: Islam,
Protestant Christianity, Catholic Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Every faith has its own sacred
celebrations, and just as Muslims rejoice in Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha,
followers of other religions also observe their days, which are marked as
national holidays on the calendar.
The country pauses for moments such
as the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, the arrival of the
Lunar New Year, the silence of Nyepi in Bali, the solemnity of Good Friday, the
joy of Easter, the warmth of Christmas, and the enlightenment celebrated during
Vesak.
Together, these diverse traditions
weave a tapestry of pluralism, showing how Indonesia embraces its many faiths
not only in spirit but also in the rhythm of its national life.
Reference (1) Holidays and Observances in Indonesia in 2026
To Sum Up
When exploring information about
festivals and holidays in Korea and ASEAN countries, it feels truly fascinating
to discover the similarities that connect them. Mekong nations such as
Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia celebrate grand water-themed festivals, while
Malay and Nusantara countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, where Islam
is the majority faith, commemorate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Speaking of Eid al-Fitr in
Indonesia, which is inseparable from the tradition of mudik or
homecoming, I am reminded of Korea’s Seollal (Lunar New Year). Much like mudik,
Seollal is also a time when families return to their hometowns to celebrate
together, highlighting a shared cultural rhythm across nations.
For me, learning about the diverse
traditions of many countries is not only enlightening, but it is a joyful
journey that deepens our appreciation of humanity’s shared spirit. Unity in diversity
is a beautiful thing.
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