Laos New Year, known as Pi Mai or Pi Mai Lao, is one of the most important year celebrations in Lao culture. It marks the traditional solar New Year and is a time for renewal, gratitude, and family connection.
If you are looking for when Laos New Year 2026 takes place, how Pi Mai is celebrated, and how it connects to other Southeast Asian New Year traditions, this guide walks through everything you need to know.
You may also find it helpful to read our guides on Thai New Year and Cambodian New Year.
When Is Laos New Year 2026?
Laos New Year 2026 takes place in mid April, from April 14 to April 16, 2026. These dates are recognized nationwide, and many schools, offices, and businesses close during the holiday.
Pi Mai dates are based on traditions connected to the Lao calendar, which means the exact timing may shift slightly each year. Celebrations often extend beyond the official dates in some regions.
What Is Pi Mai Lao?
Pi Mai Lao is the traditional Lao New Year. The festival marks a transition into a new year according to the solar calendar and symbolizes cleansing, renewal, and good fortune. It is a celebration that looks forward to the year ahead and releases worries from the old year.
Many communities describe the holiday as a moment that belongs to neither the old year nor the new year. It is a symbolic pause where people reset, reconnect, and welcome blessings for what comes next.
How Is Laos New Year Celebrated?
Pi Mai is celebrated with a mix of spiritual rituals, family gatherings, and joyful public activities. Traditions may vary by region, but the underlying themes remain consistent across the country.
- Water blessings to cleanse and welcome the New Year
- Temple visits and offerings to monks
- Family gatherings and shared meals
- Community events with dancing and traditional music
Water Traditions During Pi Mai
Water plays a central role in Laos New Year celebrations. Traditionally, people gently pour scented water over Buddha images and elders’ hands as a sign of respect and blessing. These rituals often take place at home and on temple grounds.
In public spaces, water splashing has become a joyful way to celebrate Pi Mai, especially among younger generations. Despite the fun atmosphere, water remains a symbol of purification and fresh beginnings for the year ahead.
Family and Community During Laos New Year
Pi Mai is a time when family members return home to reconnect. Elders are honored, homes are cleaned, and gratitude is expressed for the year that has passed. Many people use the holiday to reflect on the old year and set intentions for the year ahead.
Communities also come together for shared celebrations, reinforcing social bonds and cultural traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Where Are the Biggest Celebrations? Luang Prabang and Beyond
One of the most well known places to celebrate Pi Mai is Luang Prabang, where ceremonies, parades, and temple traditions draw both locals and visitors. Celebrations often include processions, offerings, and gatherings around Buddha images at temples.
In some areas, community celebrations also include cultural performances and even a local beauty pageant, reflecting regional traditions that add to the festive atmosphere.
What Happens on the Last Day of Pi Mai?
The last day of Pi Mai is often focused on blessings, closure, and welcoming renewal. Families may return to temples, share meals, and take part in final ceremonies that represent leaving behind the old year.
Some communities treat the last day as a fresh start, with heartfelt wishes exchanged for health, prosperity, and calm days in the year ahead.
How Laos New Year Relates to Songkran and Cambodian New Year
Laos New Year, Thai New Year, and Cambodian New Year are all traditional solar New Year celebrations that take place in mid April. Thai New Year is known as Songkran, while Cambodian New Year is called Choul Chnam Thmey.
While each celebration has unique customs, all three emphasize renewal, respect for elders, spiritual reflection, and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead.
Many families across Thai, Cambodian, and Lao communities choose to celebrate these holidays using one shared tradition of sending New Year wishes.
How to Share Laos New Year Wishes From Afar
For Lao families living abroad, celebrating Pi Mai often includes staying connected from a distance. People share New Year wishes by sending messages, calling loved ones, and mailing greeting cards to mark the occasion.
Since Pi Mai is closely connected to Songkran and Cambodian New Year, many people use one greeting card collection to celebrate Southeast Asian New Year traditions together.
What to Write in a Laos New Year Greeting Card
Laos New Year wishes often focus on peace, health, happiness, and renewal. Messages can be simple, thoughtful, and warm, especially for family members and close friends.
- Simple: “Happy Pi Mai Lao. Wishing you peace and happiness in the year ahead.”
- Family-focused: “Sending love and blessings to our family this Laos New Year.”
- Traditional tone: “May the New Year bring you good health, calm days, and joy.”
- From afar: “Thinking of you during Pi Mai and sending New Year wishes with love.”
If you are also celebrating Lunar New Year in Chinese, Korean, or Japanese communities, you may want a different card style designed specifically for that tradition.
You can explore our Lunar New Year collection or read our guide on what to write in a Chinese New Year card.
FAQs About Laos New Year 2026
When is Laos New Year 2026 celebrated?
Laos New Year 2026 takes place in mid April, from April 14 to April 16.
Is Pi Mai a public holiday in Laos?
Yes. Pi Mai is a national public holiday, and many businesses and schools close during the celebration.
Is Laos New Year the same as Songkran?
The celebrations are closely related but have distinct cultural traditions unique to each country.
Final Thoughts on Laos New Year 2026
Laos New Year 2026 is a meaningful time of renewal, reflection, and connection. Pi Mai traditions bring families and communities together to welcome the year with gratitude and hope.
Understanding these customs helps make New Year wishes more thoughtful and culturally respectful, even when celebrated from afar.