Attractions information
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
The Candle Festival is held each July in the North Eastern Province of Ubon Ratchathani to celebrate the beginning of Buddhist Lent or Khao Phansa.
Giant candles with elaborately carved scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology are paraded on floats with dancers in traditional dress.
For the three months of the rainy season from July to October, monks are required to dwell in the same temple and traditionally, big candles were given in the hope that they would provide light for the monks throughout the period of Khao Phansa.
On the day before Buddhist Lent begins, Asanha Bucha Day, the candles are taken to Tung Sri Muang, a park in the middle of the city, where they are decorated and then exhibited in the evening.
On the same evening, there are small processions with lighted candles at several temples. The main procession takes place early the following morning which, in Thai, is called Wan Khao Phansa.
This festival is one of the best in the Thai calendar and will provide great memories for you of your time in Thailand.
Candle Festival Ubon Ratchathani Three Day Tour (Code:3103)
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This tour is not designed for cruise ship passengers. Exclusive cruise ship tours are available from Klong Toey Port and Laem Chabang Port.
The Candle Festival is held each July in Ubon Ratchathani to celebrate the beginning of Buddhist Lent or Khao Phansa. Giant candles are carved from wax and floated through the city in elaborate parades covering three days. There's lots of singing and dancing. It's great fun for all.
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All events and activities are part of your very personal, privately guided tour.
Just ask us and we will be happy to make your tour an unforgettable experience. We have been doing this for 25 years and the quality of tailor made tours has never changed.
Why is a private tour a better choice?
With a private tour, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. There is much more room for flexibility and changes to your itinerary at every step of the way because you don't have to consider the needs of other travelers. The flexibility and freedom to make the most of your time is the reason why so many people choose to take a private tour rather than a group tour.Tour Programme
06:00 - Day 1 Departs
- Depart Bangkok for Ubon Ratchathani
We'll leave Bangkok nice and early around 6:00am and plan to be in Ubon by about 3:00pm. Once you've checked-in to your hotel there'll be time for a few drinks before taking a stroll into Tung Sri Muang, where all the floats are parked up for the night.
08:00 - Day 2 Departs
08:00 - Candle Procession Float Parade
At Khao Phansa giant candles with elaborately carved scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology are sculpted in wood or plaster and coated with wax and then paraded through the city centre on floats, accompanied by dancers and musicians in traditional dress.Read More >
13:00 - Pha Taem National Park
Pha Taem National Park is about 100 kms from Ubon and is famous for its rock paintings which are reputed to be 3000 years old. It's situated beside the Mekong River right on the border with Laos.
10:00 - Day 3 Departs
- Return to Bangkok
Mid-morning we'll leave Ubon Ratchathani for the return journey to Bangkok. You can expect to be back in Bangkok about 7:00pm. depending on the traffic.