Want to experience Asia like never before? Fill your travel calendar with a marvellous line-up of summer festivals: each more exciting than the other. They promise a peek into culture, heritage and each destination’s storied past, making your stay truly immersive.
Watch the sky come alive with dazzling kites in Indonesia, embrace moments of spirituality in India, and discover a different side to Japan’s beloved ski town as it transforms into a sunny wonderland. There’s something for everyone.
Summer Festivals in Bali & Lombok, Indonesia
Bali Kite Festival
When: July to October
Watch hundreds of kites gleam above your head. The Bali Kite Festival, locally called Lyang-Lyang, takes place in the southern belt of the island. Stay in one of our villas on the Bukit Peninsula to enjoy this festival. See how people come together to launch kites of all shapes and sizes, from animal designs to elaborate figures of Hindu deities. They glorify being at one with nature, and living a life of harmony. By flying kites into the sky, locals convey their thankfulness to the gods and pray for bountiful harvests. It’s truly a sight to behold.
Photo from @nuer_efendy
Bali Arts Festival
When: Mid-June to mid-July
The month-long Bali Arts Festival brings together artists from different places to showcase their talent. Witness contemporary dance performances, enjoy traditional Balinese music, handicrafts, fine art, and more. It’s hosted at the Bali Arts Centre in Denpasar and features open-air podiums, beautifully adorned pavilions, and an array of lively parades and food stalls.
Independence Day
When: 17 August 2025
Celebrated across the archipelago with much gusto, Independence Day is the perfect time to witness Indonesian national pride and patriotism. Streets and homes are decorated with the white and red of the national flag, signifying grit and purity, as the nation commemorates its liberation.
Enjoy lively parades of marching schoolchildren, flag displays, colourful kites and glittering fireworks. Take part in games from yore, cultural performances, and indulge in local delicacies. However, roads can get crowded on the days leading up to the celebrations. Ask the Elite Concierge to book a luxury car for your comfort and convenience.
Summer Festivals in Phuket & Koh Samui, Thailand
Por Tor Festival
When: 6 September 2025
Por Tar Festival, also called Hungry Ghost Festival, is dedicated to honouring one’s ancestors. It’s celebrated by ethnic Chinese communities who offer candles, flowers, and red turtle-shaped cakes called Ang ku at Chinese shrines. It offers a beautiful glimpse into the rich Chinese culture.
In Phuket, Ranong Road hosts it on a grand scale, complete with magic shows, lion dances, cabaret performances and live gigs. The epicentre, however, is Seng Tek Bel Shrine—also known as Por Tor Kong Shrine. While most shrines celebrate it for a few days, at Seng Tek Bel Shrine, the festivities go on for nearly eight days. The streets come alive with colourful parades, and the whole place is lavishly decorated.
School kids and little girls dress in their best traditional attires called cheongsam, and carry flowers, turtle cakes, and fruits to the shrines. These symbolise longevity, and the colour red, in particular is associated with good fortune. Offering a red turtle is believed to honour one’s ancestors and also bring blessings of long life to those making the tribute.
Photo from from Phuket.Net
Summer Festivals in Niseko, Japan
Niko Niko
When: 13-14 July 2025
Niseko Village welcomes summertime with the vibrant colors and joyful atmosphere of matsuri, a traditional festival, in its vintage Japan-themed shopping district. All-day live music and dance performances entertain visitors. Guests can enjoy traditional matsuri food and drinks, with fireworks and lively celebrations as a backdrop.
Kutchan Potato Festival
When: 2 August 2025
Celebrating the summer season and its renowned potato farming heritage, Kutchan town, in Japan’s Hokkaido region, comes abuzz with Jaga Matsuri, affectionately known as the Potato Festival.
A night parade of lanterns, a thousand people group dance, traditional drum performances, potato-themed games, and potato-themed foods, all add to the quirky nature of the festival. Gorge on traditional fare like yakisoba noodles, yakitori chicken skewers as you guzzle down pints of biiru or beer.
Photo from Experience Niseko
Hirafu Matsuri
When: 23-24 August 2025
Though only a few years old, Hirafu Matsuri has quickly become a big summer highlight of the Niseko calendar. Expect high-octane sword fighting, magical fireworks, live performances, and an impressive spread of gourmet food and drinks. Blending a mix of culinary and cultural delights, you’re promised entertainment for the whole family.
Summer Festivals in Goa, India
Sao Jao
When: 24 June 2025
Rooted in Catholic tradition, Sao Jao is a day to honour the feast of Saint John, who’s believed to have baptised Jesus Christ in River Jordan. In true Goan style, feni (a local spirit made of cashew or coconut) flows freely, and locals sing and dance to the soulful tunes of mando (traditional music known for melodious tunes). They also sport crowns adorned with fruit, flowers, and leaves. Newly-wed couples and new parents prepare dali (plates) filled with seasonal treats like Mussarat (a Goan variety of mangoes) and Patoleo, which are rice cakes stuffed with jaggery and coconut.
But the most exciting spectacle is the ‘leap of joy,’ where people enthusiastically dive into wells, rivers and ponds to retrieve presents tossed in by other locals. Sao Jao is celebrated in Anjuna, Assagao, Calangute and Candolim, but the village of Siolim in North Goa is the throbbing heart of the festival. Here, you can marvel at captivating floating parades and exhilarating boat races along the river.
Photo from @beautyofgoa
Bonderam
When: Last week of August
Away from Goa’s tourist hotspots, and cradled by the Mandovi River, Divar Island is a 10-minute jetty ride from the capital city of Panaji. On the last Saturday of August, the island—known for its quiet charm and untouched greenery—has a spectacular makeover.
Bonderam is a carnival unique to the island. Upon arrival, you’ll see locals donned in elaborate costumes, waving bright-hued flags heading to the centre, where the celebration truly peaks. Bask in the carnivalesque atmosphere of teeming parades, cheerful music, street performances, and fancy dress competitions.
Beyond the festivities, Bonderam is of much historical importance, and it marks a proud tale of defiance of Divar’s villagers against Portuguese colonial rule. The festival’s origins trace back to a time when the Portuguese placed flags to mark the lands they claimed. The villagers then tore them down in protest, which led to severe confrontations. This history is brought to life during the festival’s mock battle scenes which thrillingly re-enact the islanders’ resistance.
Photos from @pyabonderam
A cocoon from the chaos
Embrace local culture by witnessing these magnificent summer festivals. Plan your summer travel calendar around these festivals to see a different side to the holiday destination of your choice. Book an elite haven for your stay and revel in the luxury of returning home to a plush cocoon after the day’s festivities.
Blending high-end luxury with the warmth of home. Unlike a hotel, our villas ensure privacy and solitude, making them perfect for families looking to unwind and retreat to a sanctuary of calm after a busy day out. Private pools and in-villa spa treatments are a great way to end a hectic day and unwind in style.
The Elite Concierge ensures seamless arrangements—from curated itineraries and advance bookings to luxury transfers. They will arrange air-conditioned cars, provide local sights, and brief you on family-friendly activities for a stress-free and unforgettable stay.
Book your holiday in advance and let the fun begin. Click here for special offers.
