Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network
Different from the snowy white Christmases of Europe and America, the Christmas Star Parade Festival, scheduled from December 23 to 29, 2013, in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand, not only lets you enjoy an oriental-flavored Christmas celebration in a warm country, but also offers activities such as joining the Christmas Star Parade, taking a city tram tour, and watching a fireworks display. After the parade, you can experience the local rural festival known as the “Three Blacks Magic Show.” It’s a truly unique Christmas experience unlike any other.
The series of events for the Thailand Christmas Star Parade Festival will kick off on December 23. (Image provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand)
This year, the Christmas Star Parade will be held from December 23 to 25 in Sakon Nakhon City, the largest Roman Catholic community in Thailand, and Ban Ta Rae Village. From December 23 to 24, in the century-old ancient town of Ta Rae, local residents will intricately decorate their colonial- and Indochinese-style homes with star-shaped lights and sparkling Christmas trees. The highlight of the event is Ban Ta Rae’s unique traditional Christmas Star Parade. Local churches will also hold Mass services, and visitors can join a city tram tour, explore the walking streets, and enjoy a traditional Christmas nativity play. Tourists can also learn how to make the famous star-shaped lanterns in fun workshops.
The spectacular star parade will take place at 6:00 PM on December 25 in downtown Sakon Nakhon, featuring over 200 elaborately decorated illuminated floats. These floats are creatively designed by Roman Catholic communities from Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Mukdahan, and Kalasin. Other traditional Christmas figures such as Santa Claus and angels will also join the parade. However, the true festive atmosphere comes from the thousands of Catholics and local residents who participate by carrying glowing star lanterns in the parade.
Want to experience a Christmas beyond the Western style? A trip to Thailand is the perfect choice. (Image provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand)
The Christmas Star Parade will begin at Rama V Square and proceed through the city before arriving at the main destination in Ta Rae, Nong Saeng Catholic Church (St. Joseph School). Visitors are invited to join this fun parade starting at 3:00 PM. Celebration activities at the church square include stage entertainment, a Christmas nativity theater performance, Southeast Asian cultural shows, Christmas choir performances, and a fireworks display. There will also be workshops for making star lanterns and Christmas decorations. While shopping for local handicrafts, visitors can also sample local delicacies.
From December 25 to 29, visitors are encouraged to stay in Sakon Nakhon to experience the magical “Three Blacks Magic Show” at Ming Mueang Square in Sakon Nakhon City. The black magic show features the region’s unique and well-known agricultural livestock, including black chickens, black pigs, and black cattle, cultivated by the Phu Phan Development Research Center. The event also includes entertaining traditional cultural performances, concerts, and a delicious food exhibition.
Ms. Boonyanuth Warnaying, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Nakhon Phanom Office, stated that this traditional festival has been held in Sakon Nakhon for thirty years. The Tourism Authority of Thailand, along with local administrative bodies and cultural experts, recognizes the importance of preserving this tradition, as it is not only significant to local residents but also highly popular among both participants and foreign tourists.
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Romantic Christmas Month: A Collection of Christmas Trees
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