January 2025
1 Jan – New Year’s Day
In Laos, the Gregorian Calendar New Year and the Lao New Year are both celebrated.
March 2025
8 March International Women’s Day
In Laos, Women’s Day is taken very seriously. It is considered a truly “major“ holiday of the year. All the government buildings and many businesses shut down for the day, and workers take a much-needed break.
April 2025
13 to 16 April – Lao New Year
This major holiday is celebrated by nearly every Lao family. Lao New Year is commonly referred to as Pii Mai or Songkran. For most Lao people, this holiday is celebrated from April 14 to April 16. In some areas of Laos, the festival can go on for an entire week. Because of Laos’ rich history and Buddhist practices, Lao New Year is observed with many traditions and celebratory activities. For example: Sand Decorations, Cleansing with Water, Freedom to Animals, Flower Arrangements, Pageants, Dancing & Music, Food and Greetings.
May 2025
1 May – Labour Day
Though Labour Day began in the US after the bloody incident in Chicago in 1886, it eventually spread to most other nations all around the world, including Laos. In Laos, a federation of trade unions organises activities for Labour Day in the capital city of Vientiane and in other cities. There are often lectures, rallies, and “community walks” that promote and celebrate the role of workers and the advancement of workers’ rights in Laos.
11 May – Visakhabousa Day
Visakhabousa Day is celebrated by many in Laos to commemorate the day they believe that Buddha was born. It is also considered the day of his enlightenment experience and of his death. Many businesses close for the day, and all schools and government offices will shut down. Businesses are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages for a full day. And many buildings fly “the yellow flag of Buddhism”.
June 2025
1 June – Children’s Day
This is an official public holiday in Laos and falls on the same day as the UN international observance also called Children’s Day.
July 2025
20 July – Lao Women’s Union Day
The purpose of the holiday is to remember the founding of the Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Republic) Women’s Union on 20 July, 1955. The Lao Women’s Union is heavily connected with the government and has much say in developing and influencing public policies in Laos.
July, August, September 2025
24 July – Boun Khao Phansa
Boun Khao Phansa in Laos is the start of the three-month period sometimes referred to as “Buddhist Lent”. During this time period, Buddhist monks stay at a pagoda and focus on meditation and strict observance of their religion. On Boun Khao Phansa, people of villages throughout Laos bring food offerings in bowls to the pagoda-bound monks – a practice called “tak bat”. Tak bat means “morning offering”, and indeed, these offerings are brought in the morning hours.
24 July to 8 October – Buddhist Lent
Boat races are common all throughout Buddhist Lent. Since it’s the rainy season, the waters are high and good for boating, the farmers are not overburdened with work, and tourist season is at a low point. This set of circumstances, and the fact that people have been waiting all year for this, creates a lot of excitement about the boat racing events. The first and last races are by far the largest and most important. The first major boat racing festival is held in Luang Prabang about mid-way through Buddhist Lent. The final boat race is in Ban Xieng Ngeun, just outside Vientiane.
7 October – Boun Ok Phansa
Boun Ok Phansa, the end of three-month “Buddhist Lent”, is a national public holiday in Laos. Traditionally, Boun Ok Phansa is a time to honour the “river spirit” of the Mekong. It is thought that sickness, bad luck, and everything negative can be sent away into the river.
November 2025
5 – 7 November – That Luang Festival
In Laos, Boun That Luang, or simply “That Luang” for short, is one of the most important of national public holidays. It is a Buddhist celebration centred around the That Luang, the name of the oldest and most highly acclaimed of all Buddhist temples (stupas) in Laos. The That Luang Festival occurs for three consecutive days.
December 2025
2 December – National Day
A public holiday which commemorates the creation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in the year of 1975. The holiday provides citizens with the opportunity to celebrate their country’s history and their present independence through festivities and a day of rest.