🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Before you plan, it helps to know this is a multi-day event and each day has a different feel. In 2026 the province runs the festival from 27 July to 2 August, with the Home Candle / gathering night on 28 July — the night all the candle floats come together and the carvings are lit up. The grand candle parade runs 29–30 July, both daytime and evening, followed by the floating candle days on 31 July–1 August, which shift down to the Mun River. The exact dates move every year with the start of Buddhist Lent, but it always lands in mid-to-late July. This plan is built around the Home Candle night and the parade, the highlights most people come to see.
Check the dates before you book anything
The grand parade and the Home Candle night fall on different days, and both shift every year with the lunar calendar. Before you buy flights or book a room, confirm the dates from the Ubon City Municipality page or TAT Ubon. Rooms around Thung Si Muang fill up fast during the festival, so book several weeks ahead.
The 3-Day 2-Night Plan at a Glance
This plan is built for someone flying or driving into Ubon by the afternoon of day one, so you catch all three stages of the festival: the Home Candle night when the carvings are lit, the morning of the grand parade, and a relaxed last day walking the candle floats up close before you head home. In between, it slots in temples and a museum that sit right around Thung Si Muang — everything is within walking distance.
- Day 1 (28 Jul — Home Candle night) — arrive in Ubon, check in near Thung Si Muang, stroll the candle floats in the evening, then watch the lit carvings on Home Candle night.
- Day 2 (29 Jul — parade day) — up early to claim a viewing spot, watch the daytime candle parade, rest out of the midday sun, then come back for the evening parade.
- Day 3 (30 Jul) — wander the candle floats on display up close, take it slow, drop by Wat Thung Si Muang and the museum, and grab souvenirs before heading home.
Book the activities in your Ubon Ratchathani trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 1 — Home Candle Night, Carvings Lit Up
Day one is about getting in for the Home Candle night — the night every candle float gathers around Thung Si Muang and the lights come on, so the carved details stand out in a completely different way than in daylight. The crowds aren't as heavy as on parade day yet, so it's easier to wander and take photos.
Arrive in Ubon + Home Candle Night
Honest take on the Home Candle night
The Home Candle night is when the candle carvings look sharpest and the crowds are still thinner than on parade day. If your priority is clean photos of the floats with no one blocking the shot, this night beats the daytime parade by a long way. Don't skip it.
Day 2 — The Grand Candle Parade
This is the big day. The candle parade moves around Thung Si Muang both daytime and evening, and it's the busiest day of the year. The trick is to eat breakfast early and claim a viewing spot ahead of time, because the popular spots fill up fast.
The Grand Parade — Daytime + Evening
Beat the heat and the crowds
The daytime parade starts around 08:30 and the sun gets strong by mid-morning. If you plan to watch for a while, bring an umbrella, a hat, and water. If you can't take the heat, or you're with kids or older travelers, watch the evening parade instead — you see the same candle floats but in far more comfort.
Day 3 — Candle Floats Up Close + Temples Around the Field
Take the last day slow. After the parade, many candle floats stay parked on display around Thung Si Muang for a close look, and the crowds have thinned right out — you can circle each float and photograph the carvings. Then it's an easy stroll to the temples and museum right next to Thung Si Muang before you pick up souvenirs and go.
Candle Floats on Display + Temples Around Town
Where to Watch the Parade Around Thung Si Muang
The parade moves along Uparat Road onto Chayangkun Road around Thung Si Muang, with main stages where the floats stop to perform. Pick a convenient spot, settle in, and wait — you don't have to follow the parade on foot.
In front of Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram
A main stage by Thung Si Muang with a beautiful temple as a backdrop — great for shooting candle floats against the temple architecture. The most popular spot, so claim a place early.
Lan Khwan Mueang (in front of the old city hall)
A wide plaza with plenty of standing room. The floats often stop to perform here, and you can see them in full — good for groups.
Along Chayangkun Road
Part of the parade route, with several viewing spots. Pick a shaded one and the wait is far more comfortable when the sun is strong — and it's less crowded than in front of Wat Si Ubon.
Center of Thung Si Muang (display zone)
Where the floats park on display, with evening activities. Walk among them up close, with Isan food and stalls throughout the festival — best in the early evening.
Getting There and Where to Stay During the Festival
- By air — several airlines fly direct from Bangkok daily, about an hour-plus in the air. It's under 10 minutes from Ubon airport into town — the easiest option if you're only coming for the festival.
- By train / bus — the northeastern rail line and buses from Mo Chit run to Ubon daily, good if you're on a budget or want to sleep on the way. Book tickets ahead during the festival.
- Staying near Thung Si Muang — fills up fast during the festival, so book several weeks ahead. Staying near the grounds is well worth it since you can walk back to rest in the afternoon.
- Getting around during the festival — on parade day, several roads around Thung Si Muang close. If you drive, park a bit further out and walk in. Staying near the grounds cuts this problem out entirely.
If you have fewer than 3 days
With only 2 days and 1 night, drop the first day — arrive in time for the Home Candle night in the evening and watch the parade the next morning, and you've still hit the highlights. If you genuinely have just one day, come on the grand parade day and catch the morning parade then the evening one all in a single day.
Want a place near Thung Si Muang within walking distance of the festival?
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