TAT Marks 125th Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession Recognized as Signature Thailand Event

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with Ubon Ratchathani Province and organizations from the public and private sectors, is marking the 125th Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession by recognising it as a Signature Thailand Event.

The festival will take place from 25–31 July at Thung Si Mueang, with the main programme scheduled for 28–30 July. The event will continue its long-standing Buddhist Lent traditions while introducing new cultural presentations and interactive activities aimed at attracting more international visitors.

Rooted in the tradition of offering candles during Buddhist Lent, the procession has developed into a cultural event that highlights local craftsmanship, religious heritage and community participation. Temple communities, candle artisans, educational institutions, residents and government agencies continue to play an important role in preserving the festival’s traditions.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, said the organisation is strengthening the festival’s international profile by combining its cultural heritage with contemporary presentations and visitor experiences. The initiative is intended to encourage longer visitor stays while supporting local communities, artisans and businesses.

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession is one of three cultural festivals being promoted as Signature Thailand Events, alongside the Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession and the Christmas Star Parade in Sakon Nakhon, as part of TAT’s strategy to showcase regional traditions to international audiences.

As part of the celebrations, Thung Si Mueang will feature decorative lighting installations from 25–31 July. On 29 and 30 July, visitors can attend four nightly light-and-sound performances inspired by Ubon Ratchathani’s cultural heritage.

Two illuminated three-dimensional sculptures of the Thai cartoon character Nong Mamuang, dressed in contemporary Thai attire, will be displayed at Lan Thian Chaloem Phra Kiat from 23 July to 13 August.

Visitors will also be able to take part in TAT’s ART SPACE, open from 25–30 July, offering workshops in candle carving, wax-flower making and gold-leaf decoration.

The main festivities begin on 28 July with the Candle Gathering, featuring 47 candle displays, including one showcase piece and 46 competition entries across traditional, moulded-wax and carved-wax categories.

On 29 July, the royally bestowed Buddhist Lent candle and monastic bathing cloth will be carried in procession from 08:29, followed by candle parades, cultural performances and traditional dance groups. The official opening ceremony on 30 July will also begin at 08:29, followed by another procession and the Phanom Phra boat procession from Surat Thani.

More than 37 dance groups representing temples and educational institutions across Ubon Ratchathani will participate during the two main festival days. Visitors will have access to over 5,000 complimentary seats across five designated viewing locations.

Evening programmes on 29 and 30 July will include light-and-sound performances and illuminated candle displays at Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram and Lan Khwan Mueang. Award-winning candles will remain on display from 31 July to 1 August at Thung Si Mueang and the City Pillar Shrine.

The wider programme also includes visits to nine temple communities between 13–27 July, where visitors can learn traditional wax decoration techniques. From 27 July to 1 August, the Candle Road of Dharma event will feature candle-making demonstrations alongside local and One Tambon One Product (OTOP) markets.

Additional events include the Stories of Ubon Ratchathani light-and-sound performance on 31 July and 1 August, the Ganesha Barami UNSEEN illuminated candle-flower display at Ubon Ratchathani Zoo, and the Ubon Candles on View Throughout the Month exhibition at Wat Phra That Nong Bua from 3–17 August.

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