Pi Mai, Lao New Year, embodies the spirit of Lao festivities unlike any other. From every corner of the country, people come to Luang Prabang to partake in the famously spirited festivities. The main street hosts a long market fair and a two-day parade. The real attraction, though, is that for the three days of the holiday, during the hottest weekend of the year, all 100,000 residents of Luang Prabang are engaged in a city-wide water fight. Symbolizing “washing away the old,” Pi Mai has become a city-wide blessing ceremony, where all end up soaked with their share of good luck for the new year. Sok dee, Pi Mai!

Photos from the festival April 13-15