The Best Spring Festivals in Asia – A Celebration of Color, Culture, and Renewal
Spring in Asia is a season of new beginnings, and it’s celebrated with some of the world’s most vibrant festivals. From lanterns floating into the night sky to streets bursting with color and music, these springtime celebrations are as diverse as the cultures that host them.
If you’re planning to travel during this season, here are the best spring festivals in Asia you simply can’t miss.
1. Holi – India & Nepal
Known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is celebrated in March and welcomes the arrival of spring with joy, music, and a splash of powdered colors. Streets turn into open-air parties, where strangers dance, laugh, and paint each other in bright hues.
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Where to go: Mathura, Vrindavan, or Kathmandu for the most authentic celebrations.
2. Songkran – Thailand
Taking place every April, Songkran marks the Thai New Year with the world’s biggest water fight. Locals and travelers alike drench each other with water guns, symbolizing cleansing and renewal.
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Where to go: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket are top hotspots.
3. Cherry Blossom Festivals – Japan & South Korea
Spring brings the delicate beauty of sakura (cherry blossoms) in Japan and beotkkot in South Korea. Families gather for picnics under blooming trees, celebrating life and nature.
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Where to go: Tokyo, Kyoto, Seoul, and Jinhae are famous viewing spots.
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Best time: Late March to early April, depending on the bloom forecast.
4. Lantern Festival – China & Taiwan
Held on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (usually February or March), this festival lights up the sky with glowing lanterns, dragon dances, and fireworks. It marks the end of Lunar New Year celebrations.
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Where to go: Pingxi (Taiwan) for lantern releases, or Beijing for traditional parades.
5. Boun Pi Mai – Laos
Laos celebrates its New Year in mid-April with water fights, parades, and temple ceremonies. Much like Songkran in Thailand, it’s both playful and spiritual.
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Where to go: Luang Prabang offers the most traditional festivities.
6. Bali Spirit Festival – Indonesia
Held in Ubud each spring, this festival is a celebration of yoga, dance, and music. It attracts spiritual travelers from all over the world.
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Where to go: Ubud, Bali.
7. Qingming Festival – China
Also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, Qingming (early April) is when families honor ancestors by cleaning graves and making offerings. It’s also a time for flying kites and enjoying spring outings.
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Where to go: Beijing, Hangzhou, and Suzhou for cultural experiences.
8. Thingyan – Myanmar
Myanmar’s New Year festival (April) is a nationwide water celebration, similar to Songkran. Streets transform into water-splashing arenas, mixed with music and traditional dance.
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Where to go: Yangon and Mandalay are the best cities to join in.
9. Gion Odori – Japan
Held in Kyoto during spring, this traditional dance festival showcases geisha and maiko performances. It’s an elegant glimpse into Japanese culture that few tourists experience.
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Where to go: Gion district, Kyoto.
10. Ching Ming & Cheung Chau Bun Festival – Hong Kong
While Qingming is honored in Hong Kong with ancestral traditions, the quirky Cheung Chau Bun Festival (usually in April or May) features colorful parades and giant towers of buns that locals compete to climb.
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Where to go: Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong.
Final Thoughts
Asia’s spring festivals are more than just celebrations — they’re about community, renewal, and joy. Whether you’re dancing in a splash of colors in India, walking under blooming cherry blossoms in Japan, or lighting lanterns in Taiwan, these experiences will stay with you forever.
If you’re planning a trip, spring is the perfect season to see Asia at its most vibrant.
