16
/
WOOHOO
join the fun
TEXT BY CHARMAINE BAYLON; PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES (QINGMING FESTIVAL)
i
LET GO OF YOUR
INHIBITIONS AND
JOIN IN THE FUN —
THESE FESTIVALS
ARE HERE TO
SHOW YOU HOW
Rise
to the
occasion
Bangkok
SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
APRIL 13–15
Get ready to get soggy. To
mark the Thai New Year,
countless locals and visitors hit
the streets to soak one another
(and anyone caught in the
crossfire) using everything from
water pistols and spray bottles
to hoses and buckets. It’s a
good way to beat the heat while
washing away the past year’s
transgressions and making a
fresh start.
org;
China
QINGMING FESTIVAL
APRIL 5
On “Tomb-Sweeping
Day”, locals honor the
dear departed by making
offerings and tidying up
around their graves. But
the festival also marks the
start of spring, so beyond
that expect picnics, the
exchanging of flowers and
kite-flying.
Tokyo
HANA MATSURI
FLORAL FESTIVAL
APRIL 8
At temples like Sensoji and
Gokokuji, Buddha’s birthday
is typically celebrated with a
memorial service, a children’s
parade and visits to small
shrines with baby Buddha
figurines for devotees to pour
sweet tea over.
eng;
Cambodia
KHMER NEWYEAR
APRIL 14–16
This occasion signals the
harvest’s end and the imminent
start of the rainy season. It’s a
chance for everyone to clean
and decorate their homes, play
traditional games and music,
give gifts to family members
and perform temple rituals like
washing Buddha statues.
Zambales
SUMMER SIREN
FESTIVAL
APRIL 17–19
Treat yourself to two nights
of local music with top acts
like Sandwich, Imago and
Moonstar88, plus a host
of DJs. Then fill your days
with yoga sessions, CrossFit
workouts, poi dancing, hula
hooping or simply relaxing
on the beach.
Crystal Beach;
summersirenfestival.com
During Songkran, Thais visit nine sacred temples to earn spiritual plus points. Join Bangkokians as they
make merit. Follow the itinerary at
JOIN THE MERIT-MAKING
