The candle festival of Ubon Ratchathani takes place each year to mark the beginning of Buddhist Lent. Held during Wan Asanha Bucha, a celebration that honors Buddha's first sermon.

This festival is a true testament to the population's attachment to tradition and offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the magic of Thai festivities during your stay.

History of the Candle Festival

Buddhist Lent spans three months, during which monks retreat to temples and concentrate on sacred texts, meditation, and prayer.

In the beginning, the population would donate food and candles to the monks, offering them spiritual light. Over the years, some began sculpting the candles to give them an even more symbolic appearance.

It was under the reign of King Rama V that the candle festival was born, along with the competition for the most beautiful candle.

Attending the Candle Festival

The Ubon Ratchathani candle festival today offers an almost magical spectacle. Should you have the chance to attend during your trip to Thailand, you won't want to miss the parade of floats decorated with meticulously sculpted beeswax candles created by artists from around the world.

Each float represents a temple, district, or institution and showcases candles entered in the international competition for the most beautiful candle. These artisans prepare their intricate work months in advance to be ready on the day itself. The parade is accompanied by dancers and musicians dressed in traditional attire.

Beyond the parade, you'll witness vibrant performances, cultural shows featuring sound and light displays.

While Ubon Ratchathani is not the only city to host this festival, it is undoubtedly the largest and most renowned in the country.