2026 Louisiana Lao New Year Saturday Parade VIP

The free 3 day festival happens in conjunction with Easter weekend every year. This festival offers attendees an experience delighting all the senses. Visitors coming to the festival for the first time are greeted with remarkable sights, sounds, tastes, and smells one would usually only see in Southeast Asia. Immediately as you pass through the gates you’ll notice several halls and pavilions within the complex decorated with golden spires, colorful tiles in intricate patterns and bas reliefs of floral motifs based on Khmer civilization classical art and architecture. Many images of the Buddha and Lao mythological beings such as the serpent like being called “Naga” are represented in murals and in sculptures around the complex. Lao people flocking to attend temple ceremonies or performing in the parade only add to this visual tapestry wearing brightly colored traditional silk textiles and Lao folk costumes carrying silver or golden alms vessels adorned with flowers, incense and offerings. Many attendees are Lao but the festival draws in a diverse crowd that add to colorful celebration. Beyond the displays of colors and textures, your senses are gifted with a delightful mix of aromas of sweet and savory Lao treats from dozens of Lao food vendors. Your taste buds are tempted with Lao style soup and pho vendors, lemongrass chicken pits, freshly squeezed grassy sugarcane drinks, the pungent smell of fermented fish sauce and fragrant sticky rice. From the olfactory to the auditory, also floating through the air are the sounds of Lao music featuring distinct Lao instruments like a bamboo flute/organ called the “khaen.” The chanting of Buddhist sutras in ancient “Pali” language led by monks emanates from inside the sermon hall. It’s a cacophony of sounds, sights, and smells that would make an impression on any visitor.

VIP Tickets are avaialble

Info: Saturday April 4th access to reserved parking space on temple grounds (please arrive between 11:00AM-12NOON) 11:30am-12:30pm - VIP Cultural & Temple Tour 12:00pm-3:00pm - Parade & VIP Lounge Access (parade arrives to VIP 12:45-1PM) 2 tickets for Beer Lao and 2lbs of Crawfish served with Lao sauces and sides. .

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Wat Thammarattanaram in Lanexang Village (Coteau, Iberia Parish), 7913 Champa Avenue, Broussard, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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